Kandinsky Sights & Sounds!

One of my favorite lessons do to at the beginning of the school year for kinders or first graders is based on the processes and artworks of Wassily Kandinsky. I talk to the children about Kandinsky and his sensory condition (called synesthesia - a mix-up of sensory processes - Kandinsky saw shapes and colors when he heard varying sounds). We look at some of his paintings and discuss the various lines, shapes, and colors that we see, and the children talk about what these elements make them think of.

Next, I teach the children how to hold a paintbrush and play a "Peter and the Wolf" symphony on Youtube while they listen and paint lines in black paint. They paint lines that they "hear" in the music.

The following week the children add color to their paintings. The amazing thing about this project is that all of the artworks come out so unique!