### Lesson Plan: Primary Colors
**Grade Level**: Foundation (Kindergarten)
**Subject**: The Arts
**Duration**: 60 minutes
**Topic**: Primary Colors
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#### **Objective**:
- Students will be able to identify and understand primary colors (red, blue, and yellow).
- Students will explore mixing primary colors to discover secondary colors.
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#### **Materials**:
- Large sheets of white paper or individual art paper for each student
- Paints: Red, Blue, Yellow
- Paintbrushes
- Water cups
- Mixing palettes or paper plates
- Aprons or old shirts to protect clothing
- Visual aids (posters, flashcards) of primary colors
- Book: "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh (or any relevant read-aloud book on colors)
- Wet wipes or paper towels for cleanup
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#### **Introduction** (10 minutes):
1. **Welcome and Attendance (2 minutes)**: Greet the students warmly and take attendance.
2. **Book Reading (5 minutes)**:
- Read "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh or a similar book about primary colors.
- Discuss how the mice discover mixing colors throughout the story.
3. **Discussion (3 minutes)**:
- Show visual aids (posters or flashcards) of the primary colors.
- Ask students if they can name the primary colors and give examples of objects in those colors.
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#### **Direct Instruction** (10 minutes):
1. **Explanation with Examples (5 minutes)**:
- Explain what primary colors are and why they are called primary (cannot be made by mixing other colors).
- Show red, blue, and yellow paints and demonstrate how they look on white paper.
2. **Introduction to Color Mixing (5 minutes)**:
- Ask students if they have ever mixed colors before.
- Demonstrate how mixing two primary colors creates a secondary color (e.g., red + blue = purple).
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#### **Guided Practice** (15 minutes):
1. **Mixing Activity**:
- Pass out paint, brushes, and palettes/plates to each student.
- Guide students to start with red and blue: have them paint a small swatch of each on their paper.
- Instruct students to mix red and blue in a clean spot on the palette to see the new color (purple) and add a swatch to their paper.
- Repeat the process with blue and yellow (to make green), and yellow and red (to make orange).
- Assist students as needed and ensure they clean their brushes between colors.
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#### **Independent Practice** (20 minutes):
1. **Creative Art Project**:
- Allow students to use the primary and secondary colors they just made to create their own paintings.
- Encourage creativity while reminding them to think about how colors mix together.
- Provide prompts or themes if needed (e.g., “Paint a garden,” “Create an abstract design”).
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#### **Closure** (5 minutes):
1. **Class Artwork Gallery Walk**:
- Have students display their artwork on a wall or table.
- Facilitate a short gallery walk where each student can view and appreciate peers' work.
2. **Review and Reflection**:
- Ask students to share what they learned about colors.
- Recap the primary and secondary colors.
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#### **Assessment**:
- **Informal Assessment**: Observe student participation during the mixing activity and creative project.
- **Verbal Feedback**: Ask questions throughout the lesson to gauge understanding.
- **Final Review**: Ensure students can correctly identify and name the primary colors and the secondary colors created by mixing.
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#### **Cleanup** (5 minutes):
- Guide students in cleaning their areas, washing brushes, and disposing of water cups properly.
- Make sure completed artwork is put in a drying area if needed.
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#### **Extensions**:
- For advanced students or additional activities, consider introducing complementary colors or experimenting with other art mediums (like colored pencils or markers).
- Incorporate a digital art component using tablets or computers with basic drawing programs to explore digital color mixing.
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By the end of this lesson, students will have a foundational understanding of primary colors and will experience the magic of creating new colors through mixing. This hands-on, engaging approach ensures that young learners stay interested and excited about The Arts.