Early Childhood

How can students use circles, colors, and overlapping shapes to create a Kandinsky-inspired space galaxy?

Students will create an imaginative galaxy using cut-paper circles and chalk while exploring overlapping, layering, and color.

• 12 x 18" (30 x 46 cm) black paper
• cut paper circles in a variety of colors and sizes
• glue
• colored chalk
• tissues
• an image of Wassily Kandinskyʼs Several Circles

Step 1
Introduce students to Wassily Kandinsky and view his artwork Several Circles. Ask students what they notice about the circles and how the colors and shapes are arranged.

Step 2
Give each student a sheet of black paper and a variety of colored paper circles in different sizes. Have students arrange their circles to create an imaginative galaxy. Encourage them to overlap circles and experiment with their placement.

Step 3
Once students are happy with their arrangements, have them glue their circles in place.

Step 4
Demonstrate how to use colored chalk to trace around the edges of a few circles. Using a tissue, gently blend the chalk outward from the circles onto the black paper.

Step 5
Invite students to share their finished compositions. Ask them how they arranged their circles and used color to create their galaxies.

Did students experiment with overlapping circles to create a space design? Did they use chalk to add color and texture?

Wendy Libby is an art teacher for the Bangor School Department in Bangor, Maine.