Exploring Colours and Shapes

Lesson Overview

This 45-minute art lesson is designed for Kindergarten (Early Stage 1) students in Australia and aligns with the NSW Creative Arts syllabus (VAS1.1 Makes artworks in a particular way about experiences of real and imaginary things and VAS1.3 Realises what artists do, who they are and what they make). The lesson also integrates Numeracy through the NSW Mathematics syllabus (MAe-14MG Manipulates, sorts, and describes representations of two-dimensional shapes) and is inspired by Piaget's Constructivist Theory, where children learn best through hands-on exploration and active involvement.

This lesson will encourage creativity, introduce foundational geometry concepts, and provide an engaging, student-centred learning experience through the exploration of colours and shapes.

---

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Create a unique artwork using primary colours and basic geometric shapes.
• Identify and describe two-dimensional shapes including circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles while exploring patterns.
• Recognise and apply primary colours, discovering how they mix to create new colours.
• Share and reflect on their creative choices.

---

Materials

• Large sheets of A3 white paper (1 per student)
• Pre-cut paper shapes (a mix of circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles in various sizes and primary colours – red, yellow, and blue)
• Glue sticks
• Paints (red, yellow, and blue)
• Sponges cut into different shapes for stamping
• Art smocks
• Wipes for cleaning hands
• A brightly coloured example artwork created beforehand as inspiration
• A shape chart (displaying names and images of 2D shapes)

---

Lesson Structure (45 minutes)

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Engage and Inspire (5 mins):

   • Begin by showing students the example artwork, explaining how shapes and colours were used to create it. Ask guiding questions like:
     • “What shapes can you see?”
     • “What colours are these shapes?”
     • “What do you think will happen if we mix yellow and blue?”
   • Briefly explain the activity and link it to the idea of “playing with colours and shapes like a creative artist.”

2. Shape Exploration (5 mins):

   • Display the shape chart and hold up pre-cut shapes, asking students to name them. Use prompts to explore their properties:
     • “How many sides does a triangle have?”
     • “Can you spot something in our classroom that is shaped like a circle?”
   • Lay the pre-cut shapes on a table for students to explore quickly with their hands.

---

Creative Activity Time (30 minutes)

1. Step 1: Shape Collage (15 mins):

   • Each student receives a sheet of A3 paper.

   • Using glue sticks, students create a collage by arranging and sticking down pre-cut paper shapes. Encourage individual choice and artistic flair, posing questions like:

     • “Can you make a pattern with your shapes?”
     • “What happens if you place two big shapes next to each other?”

   • Teachers and assistants engage with students, encouraging conversation to support Numeracy links, e.g.:

     • “How many triangles have you used?”
     • “Can you count how many circles are in your collage?”

2. Step 2: Painting Exploration (10 mins):

   • After finishing their collages, students explore painting.

   • Provide sponges shaped like circles, rectangles, and triangles. Students dip these into primary colour paints and stamp around their collage. Prompt experimentation with colour mixing:

     • “Let’s stamp yellow on top of blue – what happens?”
     • “Can you make green or purple shapes?”

   • Encourage imaginative exploration, e.g., stamping shapes to form animals, flowers, or vehicles.

---

Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes)

1. Students gather on the floor in a sharing circle with their artworks. Call on a few volunteers to explain their creations. Suggested questions:

   • “What shapes and colours did you use?”
   • “How did you create your patterns?”
   • “What new colour did you make?”

2. Display students’ completed artworks on the classroom walls or an art drying rack, celebrating everyone’s efforts.

---

Curriculum Links

NSW Creative Arts Syllabus Outcomes (ES1):

• VAS1.1: Students will make artworks in a particular way about experiences of real and imaginary things by using shapes to represent imaginative scenes.
• VAS1.3: Students will realise what artists do, who they are and what they make by actively experimenting with the creation of shape-and-colour based artworks.

NSW Mathematics Syllabus Outcomes (ES1):

• MAe-14MG: Students will manipulate, sort and describe representations of two-dimensional shapes as they identify, organise, and use shapes in their artworks.

---

Theoretical Basis: Piaget’s Constructivism

This lesson aligns with Piaget’s theory of constructivist learning, which emphasises hands-on activities and exploration. By actively manipulating materials, students construct their own understanding of shapes, colours, and patterns in a meaningful context. The combination of guided practice and open-ended creativity fosters the development of spatial awareness and problem-solving skills appropriate to their developmental stage.

---

Differentiation

• Students requiring extension: Encourage them to create more intricate patterns or use overlapping shapes creatively. Pose additional numeracy challenges such as sorting or counting specific shapes used in their composition.
• Students requiring support: Provide one-on-one assistance with naming shapes or using glue/paints. Simplify tasks by limiting the number of shapes they use or focusing on one-two shapes only.

---

Assessment

• Observe students during the activity:
  • Did they engage with shape recognition and naming?
  • Were they able to experiment with colours and create patterns?
  • Did they demonstrate enthusiasm in reflecting on their creative work?
• Collect informal reflections when students share their work during reflection time.

---

This lesson seamlessly integrates Art and Numeracy, fostering creativity while building foundational mathematical and artistic skills. It encourages exploration, collaboration, and personal expression—an exciting way to develop confident young learners!