Lines and Doodles.

My little Kinder artists recently completed a Kandinsky unit after opening with a Dot Project back in December.  They created some super duper MESSY Kandinsky line paintings after reading The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox.  This book is a fun, interactive read aloud as the Kinders loved acting out the bumping, zig zaggy, swirling, and twirling lines as the story progressed.

After reading the story, we also looked at some of the examples of lines I have on a few different worksheets too.

But, here's the best part.  I scored this sweet dress on clearance at Forever 21 (I know, I know, I avoid going in that store as I am allergic to their loud music and am clearly more suited to shopping at a Forever 30).  This dress was perfect and looks so much like my worksheets.  My little Kinders were absolutely mesmerized by the different types of lines on this puppy.

Below are a few examples of their Kinder line paintings.  The students started by dipping small matboard pieces into black tempera paint to draw their lines.  During the next class, students used Crayola construction paper crayons to add Kandsinky-inspired colors to their paintings.

Can't get enough of my Kinder artists this year.  Plus, I sleep really well after a day of teaching Kindergarteners...

Connect the Dots, Kandinsky Style.

So, I have a polka dot problem.  Possibly an addiction. While I was pulling out an ensemble for the school day in my fuzzy pre-coffee state, I was overwhelmed by the amount of polka dots in my closet.  And I did ask myself, is it right, or is it wrong?  And I said to myself, my god, what have I done?!  (if you don't get the allusion to Talking Heads, shame on you).

Anywho, back to the dots...

So many dots, so little time.  Like so many art teachers, I love The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.  His beautiful illustrations and the art teacher's sage advice to "make a mark and see where it takes you" is down right inspiring and lends itself perfectly to all things Kandinsky.

I recently came across this adorable circle painting lesson here on the site Small for Big.  The lesson of course borrows inspiration from Kandinsky's Squares with Concentric Circles.

 

Since I can never get enough of good ol' polka dots, I always do some variation every year, usually with my little Kinders.  This year, our project continued our study of cool and warm colors.  I started with an introduction to Kandinsky's work and looked at multiple pieces.  After setting up each table with the following items, the Kinders waited for directions...

• pre-folded 12" x 18" watercolor paper
• Sax liquid watercolors
• brushes
• water pots
• tray to hold the materials
• great listening ears!

To ensure each composition contained a variety of colors, my students were given directions to turn on their listening ears as I gave steps to use a "warm color of sunshine," or the "cool colors in the ocean."  Here's a sneak peek into some of their pieces...

 

I love all things the little Kindergarteners make (just not always the messes they make), but what made my day was having a parent tell me her 5 year old came home bubbling non-stop about Kandinsky and his dots and lines and EYEBALL ART (he meant abstract art by the way).

Now go and make your own EYEBALL art, I dare you!