Geometry and Art

I love finding opportunities to integrate Math and Art, which is

why I created this mini-unit to explore how Kandinsky’s artwork
demonstrates geometric design elements!

Within this resource I have included a suggested outline of

lessons and all the resources needed to complete this mini-unit!

I hope your students enjoy exploring Kandinsky as much as I

have loved creating this product!

Katie Walker
 Suggested Outline of Activities

Activity Learning Engagement

See-Think- -  Provide each student with a copy of Kandinsky’s artwork. You could display on
Wonder an interactive whiteboard or give each student a printed color copy. Ask the
children to independently observe the artwork carefully.
Provocation
-  Give each student a copy of the ‘See-Think-Wonder’ template. Model to the class
how they can use this sheet to organize their thinking about the artwork. Give an
example of what could be written in each column (e.g. I see many circles; I think
the artist has used a ruler; I wonder who created this).
-  Invite the children to share their ideas with the class. This could be recorded on
a whole-class chart.
-  Encourage the students to think about what the artwork could represent –
perhaps faces, a city or the planets!

Reading Activity -  Introduce Kandinsky as the artist who created this piece of work.
-  Invite the children to share any prior knowledge or or experience they have with
Kandinsky’s work.
-  Read together the passage “Who was Kandinsky?” and discuss. Make connections
between information in the text and the piece of artwork being studied (e.g.
abstract design, use of color).

© Katie Walker 2016

 Activity Learning Engagement
Exploring -  Ask the children to think about what types of mathematic tools Kandinsky may
Geometric have used to create this artwork. (e.g. ruler, compass, protractor)
-  Explain that Kandinsky has used geometric design to create this art. Using the
Concepts
template provided, ask the children to identify geometric elements Kandinsky has
used. I would recommend completing this in groups and giving each group a
copy of the word wall cards to help them – this is especially useful for ELL
learners!
-  The completed sheets can be placed on display around the classroom for future
reference!
Student Design -  Now that students have identified how Kandinsky used mathematical tools and
Task geometric design in his artwork, it is time for them to create their own Kandinsky
inspired art! Talk to the children about the difference between using this art as
inspiration and directly ‘copying’. Encourage the children to use the same
geometric elements, but in their own unique way.
-  Highlight how Kandinsky used color and how they may use this in their own
designs (e.g. Types of color, used sparingly across the page, soft shading etc.)
Gallery Walk and -  Create a ‘Gallery’ in the classroom using the students’ final designs. Spend some
Peer Reflection time allowing the children to look at all the designs using a ‘Gallery Walk’.
-  Use the personal and peer reflection templates provided to encourage the
children to identify how they, and others, have used Kandinsky-inspired elements.
Extension -  Have children place tracing paper over the top of their designs and identify
Option where geometric elements have been used. This is a great opportunity for
formative assessment!
© Katie Walker 2016
“Composition VIII ” 1923
 See – Think - Wonder
Topic: Kandinsky’s Artwork

I see... I think... I wonder...

© Katie Walker 2016

 Who was Kandinsky?
Fact File
Name: Wassily Kandinsky
Born: 1866 in Russia
Died: 1944
Best known for: his abstract
artwork.
Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian born artist
who is best known today for his abstract
masterpieces. From a young age, Kandinsky
expressed an interest in music and color. He
learned to play the cello and piano and spent
his time practicing different drawing
techniques. Kandinsky decided to study law
after finishing school, however art was his
true passion so he made the decision to
become an artist when he turned 30 years old.
Kandinsky drew inspiration from the works of
Monet and enjoyed using color to express
emotion. He is quoted as saying “...drawing
and painting lift me out of reality”, suggesting
that art was his way of escaping the real
world.
Interestingly, Kandinsky spent most of his later
years feeling disappointed by the lack of
interest in his artwork. It was only after his
death in 1944 that Kandinsky became famous
as one of the most notable abstract artists of
his time. Recently, one of his paintings sold
for an amazing 23 million dollars!
© Katie Walker 2016
Why do you
think artists
often become
famous after
their death?
Kandinsky’s early work - 1908
In the space below, brainstorm the geometric elements that you can see in Kandinsky’s artwork!
Circle Square

Rectangle Triangle

Quadrilateral
Semicircle A 4 sided
shape
Arc Point

Parallel Lines Intersecting

Lines

Perpendicular Angle
Lines
Obtuse Angle Acute Angle

Straight Angle Reflex Angle

Right Angle
Equilateral
Triangle
Scalene Right Angle
Triangle Triangle

Curved Line
Polygon

Parallelogram
 Personal Reflection Personal Reflection
Name: Name:

What elements of Kandinsky’s design What elements of Kandinsky’s design

did you use in your artwork? did you use in your artwork?

What did you find challenging about this task? What did you find challenging about this task?

© Katie Walker 2016

© Katie Walker 2016
 Peer Reflection Peer Reflection
Name: Name:

Name of Peer: Name of Peer:

What elements of Kandinsky’s design can you What elements of Kandinsky’s design can you
see in this piece of art? see in this piece of art?

What do you like about this piece of artwork? What do you like about this piece of artwork?

© Katie Walker 2016

© Katie Walker 2016
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 Kandinsky artwork sourced via Pixabay.com

Please note that this resource is for single classroom use only
and may not be resold, redistributed or shared without
permission.

Katie Walker