Summary

This whiteboard activity gives a demonstration of colour mixing that can be used at a whole class level. After being introduced to the types of colours, pupils are able to explore colour mixing in a fun and non-messy way, by dragging and dropping primary colours into a colour-mixing machine and making a secondary colour. What they have learnt can then be applied in practical classroom activities using paint and first-hand resources. The final interactive activity allows the pupils to apply what they have learnt about colour mixing by using primary colours only to colour a page. Further activities are also suggested for the teacher to use to follow up the lesson.

Suitable for

Year 1

Using a non-interactive whiteboard

The content of the lesson would be fine to use on a classroom computer, using the mouse as a click and drag tool instead of fingers. It would work better as a paired or individual task as the size of the screen restricts viewing. Adult help may be required for some pupils to read the on-screen instructions, which are pitched at a simple level.

Prior learning required

Pupils would be required to know their colour names for this activity.

Aims and objectives

By the end of the lesson pupils would be able to use the colours red, yellow and blue to make the colours green, orange and purple. They would be aware of the vocabulary "primary" and "secondary" colours.

Timings

The lesson would be introduced as a whole class session of around 15-20 minutes, using the interactive whiteboard activities. Part 1 and Part 2 are read by the teacher (with the pupils). These introduce the vocabulary and the fact that there are different types of colours. Part 3 is where the pupils explore colour mixing using a colour-mixing machine. They drag and drop paint into the machine to see what colours they are able to make. Pupils would then explore colour mixing with paints in groups. They would need approximately 30 minutes to explore colours thoroughly, and to discuss the process as they work. Part 4 allows the pupils to apply what they have learnt, and could be completed after they have completed their practical activities. The colouring in in Part 4 allows the pupils to consolidate their knowledge of colour mixing. There are also suggestions made for consolidation in the further activities section if extra practical activities were required.

Suggestions for group activities

Following the input using the whiteboard as a whole class activity, the pupils would then explore colour mixing for themselves using paints. The three primary colours would be made available (red, blue, yellow) and the pupils would mix colours in paint palettes and then record them onto an A3 sheet, showing the two primary colours used and the mixed secondary colour that resulted. The recording could be done as an orderly progression of colours, or in a more abstract style, perhaps for a class colour frieze on a large piece of paper. Click here to see an example of a recording format in English and in Welsh.

Suggestions for differentiation

Younger pupils could use their hands to mix the colours, eg placing one hand in red paint, one in yellow paint, rubbing their hands together and then printing their coloured hand prints onto a large sheet of paper.

For extension, pupils could choose two of the primary colours, eg red and blue, and see how many shades of one secondary colour they could make by adding the second colour a little at a time. They could record these as "colour pads", which is an exploration of one secondary colour.

Further activities

Recording what they know about colour theory by completing a colour wheel such as the one available here, showing the correct primary and secondary colours.

Curriculum links

KS1 Art

Making - to be able to experiment and explore with colour, using a variety of media.

When completing the activities, pupils could practise using the Welsh colour names. A Welsh version of the recording sheet has also been provided.

Language reading - reading the colour names and instructions.