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Color Theory: Unlock Hues!

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Brooke Nightingale

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Color Theory Lesson Plan

Students will be able to define color theory and identify primary, secondary, and tertiary colors on a color wheel.

Understanding color theory is essential for appreciating visual arts, communicating effectively through design, and making informed decisions about color in daily life. It helps students analyze and create visually engaging works.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through interactive discussions, visual examples, and a hands-on activity, students will explore the basics of color theory.

Materials

  • Color Theory Slide Deck, - Color Wheel Worksheet, - Colored pencils or crayons, - Color Theory Warm Up, and - Color Theory Cool Down

Prep

Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Color Theory Lesson Plan and all generated materials to familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Ensure access to a projector or interactive whiteboard for the Color Theory Slide Deck.
    - Print copies of the Color Wheel Worksheet for each student.
    - Gather colored pencils or crayons for the class.

Step 1

Warm Up: What's Your Color?

5 minutes

Begin the lesson with the Color Theory Warm Up activity. Ask students to quickly share their favorite color and one word that describes why they like it. This helps activate prior knowledge and connect to the topic emotionally.
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought: What's your favorite color, and what's one word that comes to mind when you think of why you like it?"

Step 2

Introduction to Color Theory (Slides & Discussion)

10 minutes

Present the Color Theory Slide Deck slides 1-5. Define color theory, primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. Encourage student participation by asking questions and pausing for examples.
"Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of color theory! We'll learn how colors are made and how they work together."

Step 3

The Color Wheel Activity

10 minutes

Distribute the Color Wheel Worksheet and colored pencils/crayons. Guide students through creating or labeling a color wheel based on the concepts discussed.
"Now, let's put our knowledge to the test! You each have a worksheet. Your task is to fill in the color wheel using your primary, secondary, and tertiary colors."

Step 4

Cool Down: Reflection

5 minutes

Conclude the lesson with the Color Theory Cool Down activity. Ask students to reflect on one new thing they learned or found interesting about color theory.
"To wrap things up, take a moment to think about what we discussed today. What's one new thing you learned or found interesting about color theory?"

lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome to the World of Color!

What's your favorite color? Why do you like it?

Welcome students and get them thinking about colors. This is a quick icebreaker.

What is Color Theory?

• A set of guidelines for mixing, matching, and combining colors.
• Helps us understand how colors affect us and each other.
• Used by artists, designers, and even advertisers!

Introduce the concept of color theory and why it's important in art and design.

Primary Colors: The Basics

• Colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors.
• The foundation of all other colors.
• Think: Red, Yellow, Blue!

Define primary colors and give examples.

Secondary Colors: Mixing It Up!

• Created by mixing two primary colors.
• Red + Yellow = Orange
• Yellow + Blue = Green
• Blue + Red = Purple

Define secondary colors and explain how they are made from primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Advanced Mixing

• Created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color.
• Examples: Red-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Violet.
• The primary color always comes first in the name!

Define tertiary colors and how they are made. Emphasize the primary-secondary name convention.

The Color Wheel: Your Color Map

• A circular chart that shows the relationships between colors.
• Organizes primary, secondary, and tertiary colors in a logical way.
• Helps artists choose harmonious color combinations.

Introduce the color wheel as a tool to organize and understand color relationships.

Activity Time: Build Your Color Wheel!

• Use your Color Wheel Worksheet.
• Fill in the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
• Be creative and precise!

Transition to the activity and explain what students will do.

Wrap-Up: Color Connections

What was one new or interesting thing you learned about color theory today?

Encourage students to share their work or a new insight.

lenny

Warm Up

Color Theory Warm Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about your favorite color.

  1. What is your favorite color?


  2. What is one word that describes why you like this color?



Be ready to share your answers with the class!

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lenny

Worksheet

Color Wheel Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: Use what you've learned about color theory to complete the activities below.

Part 1: Fill in the Color Wheel

Carefully fill in the blank color wheel with the correct primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Use your colored pencils or crayons!

(Imagine a blank color wheel diagram here, with empty spaces for students to color and label)








































































## Part 2: Color Questions

Answer the following questions based on your understanding of color theory.

  1. What are the three primary colors?


  2. How do you create secondary colors? List the primary color combinations for each.




  3. Give an example of a tertiary color and explain how it is formed.




  4. Why do you think artists and designers need to understand color theory?





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lenny

Answer Key

Color Wheel Answer Key

Part 1: Fill in the Color Wheel

(When grading, look for the following colors in the correct positions on the color wheel diagram:)

  • Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue (should be evenly spaced)
  • Secondary Colors: Orange (between Red and Yellow), Green (between Yellow and Blue), Purple/Violet (between Blue and Red)
  • Tertiary Colors: Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet (each should be between its respective primary and secondary color)

Part 2: Color Questions

  1. What are the three primary colors?

    • Answer: Red, Yellow, and Blue.
    • Thought Process: Primary colors are the foundational colors from which all other colors can be mixed. They cannot be created by mixing other colors.

  2. How do you create secondary colors? List the primary color combinations for each.

    • Answer: Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors together.
      • Red + Yellow = Orange
      • Yellow + Blue = Green
      • Blue + Red = Purple (or Violet)
    • Thought Process: Students should recall the definition of secondary colors and the specific primary combinations that yield each one.

  3. Give an example of a tertiary color and explain how it is formed.

    • Answer: An example of a tertiary color is Red-Orange. It is formed by mixing a primary color (Red) with an adjacent secondary color (Orange).
      (Other acceptable answers include Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet, with corresponding explanations.)
    • Thought Process: Tertiary colors combine a primary and a secondary color next to it on the color wheel. The primary color's name always comes first.

  4. Why do you think artists and designers need to understand color theory?

    • Answer: (Answers may vary but should include concepts such as:)
      • To create visually appealing and harmonious designs/artworks.
      • To evoke specific emotions or moods in viewers.
      • To communicate messages effectively (e.g., traffic lights use red for stop, green for go).
      • To understand how colors interact with each other and how they will appear when mixed or placed side-by-side.
      • To make intentional choices about color rather than random ones.
    • Thought Process: This question asks students to apply their understanding to real-world professions and think about the practical applications and importance of color theory.
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lenny

Cool Down

Color Theory Cool Down

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson and answer the question below.

What is one new or interesting thing you learned about color theory today?





Bonus: How might you use this new knowledge in your everyday life or in a creative project?





lenny
lenny