…the boys and girls loved this lesson and boasted to their parents how they learned about Wassily Kandinsky
I’ve used Kandinsky’s Concentric Circles in art lessons in the past but I loved the twist that I used on this one. I actually got the idea from one of the blogs I follow but I’ve spent hours trying to find it so that I can give credit where credit is due. I changed it slightly so that the students could experience a different medium other than pencil crayon.
I talked about how Kandinsky was one of the first creators of abstract art and how an experiment in colour theory ended up being one of his most famous pieces. I set up stations with Sharpies and squares of drawing paper, watercolour paints, crayons and watercolour paper squares, oil pastels and squares of brown paper and the last station had squares of bristol board, glue, scissors and a box of assorted papers and calendars.
At each station the students were instructed to create 3 squares with the medium at the table. They had to draw concentric circles but they could be as creative with them as they wanted. When all 12 squares were done the students were given a piece of black construction paper and then asked them to arrange the squares in a pleasing combination. I helped them glue on the first square and then they were left on their own to line up and glue the remaining squares.
I think the finished product is beautiful and no two are the same.
Can you tell which one is mine? Most of these were done by grade 3 students.
Mama Cormier 
It looks like a great lesson plan.
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For me Kandisnsky rocks too … my favorite rocks is “Composition VIII” and “Black and Violet” – I think your student are very creative .. and as you say not one is the other like.
And what a fantastic way to learn kids about art. Well done.
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I worked this project with adults who had no experience with making art.. Difference is I encouraged them to also play with scale and various shapes as well the model piece. With a few exceptions, those that stuck with the circles created beautiful pieces. Thanks for sharing the project!
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This is great! I have tried in the past to do Kandinsky circles as a project with pre-schoolers, working with paint, but found it rather unsatisfying. I love the variety of media and the freedom you gave the kids to create concentric circles in whatever manner they wished. The resulting compositions are far more exciting, unique and expressive than the usual boring Kandinsky projects you see on art teacher blogs, and closer to the improvisational approach of Kandinsky himself. You’ve inspired me to have a go at Kandinsky again!
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They really are beautiful. The fact that no two are the same makes it extremely unique and the whole thing is just so creative and fun!
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