Squares with Concentric Circles

Miss Scaletta's 1st grade class was given an Art Talk based on Wassily Kandinsky's Squares with Concentric Circles.  Students observed the many circles within the painting, but also noted the squares and some ovals.  They also commented on the vibrant colors and the patterns.   They made many excellent connections and observations:

"The middle of that circle looks like a tree."

"When you cut down a tree, there are concentric circles in the trunk that tell you how old the tree is."

"That circle looks like an eye."

"Only one circle has a pattern of colors."

"Some circles are made of two colors.  The top is dark blue and the bottom is light blue."

Students were told that Kandinsky had the ability to "see music" and "hear colors" and that he listened to music while he painted.  They learned that Kandinsky's painting is an abstract painting and also the definition of concentric (sharing the same center).  We talked about which colors seemed like "happy colors" and which seemed like "sad colors" or "angry colors".  Students listened to classical music while they each painted their own square with concentric circles.  They were encouraged to let the music inspire them when choosing colors.  Individual squares will be arranged together to create a unique work of art inspired by Squares with Concentric Circles.  Great job, 1st graders!!