Lesson Title: Kindergarten Kandinsky Circle Lesson

Katie Morris Pauline Central Elementary

Summary: Students will learn about artist Wassily Kandinsky and create a drawing made of circles.

Key Ideas: This lesson is intended to teach students about the elements of art (especially shape), repetition, unity, balance, and artist Wassily Kandinsky.

Objectives: 1. The students will learn about artist Wassily Kandinsky and discuss his painting "Farbstudie Quadrate". 2. The students will count the number of sections and identify the shapes seen in Farbstudie Quadrate. 3. The students will use crayon to draw concentric circles that fill the space of their paper. 4. The students will demonstrate variety in color choices. 5. The students will demonstrate proper paintbrush care when painting watercolors over their crayon drawings.

Resources: Teacher example, poster of painting

Vocabulary: Elements of Art- Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Value, Space Circle Unity Balance Concentric Composition (how things are arranged in a piece of art)

Materials: 6x6 inch White Paper Pencils/Erasers Crayons Watercolors and brushes

Presentation: This assignment will cover two 40-minute class periods.

Day 1: The teacher will show the students the poster print of Kandinsky's "Farbstudie Quadrate" (1913). The teacher will give the students a very basic biography of the artist: Wassily Kandinsky was born in Moscow. He studied law and economics before leaving his career to study art. He created the first abstract paintings and was one of the founders of an art group called the Blue Rider. Artists Franz Marc and Paul Klee were also part of the group. Kandinsky was a musician and was inspired by music. Even though there are not recognizable objects in his later paintings, the meaning came from the lines, shapes, and colors. "Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul."

The teacher will lead the students in a discussion of the poster with questions like: What kinds of shapes do you see? (point out the concentric circles, tell the students that concentric means a circle inside a circle, like a bulls eye) How many different sections are there? (square/rectangular sections) What kinds of colors did the artist use in the painting? (point out that there are lots of different colors) How do you feel when you look at this painting? (happy, sad, excited, etc.) Do you like this painting? Would you hang it in your house? (it's ok to have different ideas and opinions about Art)

After the discussion, the teacher will pass out paper. The teacher will remind the students to write their name and class code on the back of their papers. The teacher will demonstrate drawing concentric circles on her paper, emphasizing pressing hard with the crayon to draw shapes, not color them in. The students will draw concentric circles until the space of their paper is filled.

Day 2: The teacher will remind the students of assignment details and pass out artwork and supplies. The class will review proper paintbrush care before starting to paint over their circles. If the students work quietly, the teacher will play music so they can be inspired like Kandinsky.

Assessment: The teacher will observe the students during class to make sure that they are on task and following directions.

Kansas Visual Arts Standards Met: Standard 1: Understanding and Applying Media Techniques and Processes Benchmark 3: The student experiments with various media, techniques, and processes to develop manipulative skills. Benchmark 4: The student employs media, techniques, and processes to communicate through works of art. Benchmark 5: The student uses control in handling art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

Standard 2: Using Knowledge of the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design Benchmark 1: The student recognizes key elements and key principles used in works of art. Benchmark 2: The student responds to art works based on the use of key elements and key principles Benchmark 3: The student visually communicates by incorporating the elements and key principles in works of art. Standard 3: Creating Art Works Through Choice of Subjects, Symbols, and Ideas Benchmark 1: The student identifies visual images, subjects, and symbols in works of art. Benchmark 2: The student incorporates images, subjects, and symbols into art works.

Standard 4: Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures Benchmark 3: The student creates art based on historical and cultural ideas of diverse people.

Standard 5: Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Art Benchmark 1: The student describes characteristics evident in art works. Benchmark 2: The student describes and shares opinions about works of art.

Standard 6: Making Connections Between the Visual Arts and Other Disciplines Benchmark 3: The student identifies connections between the visual arts and non-art disciplines.