Colour Mixing Fun

Overview

In this 45-minute session, Year 0-2 students will explore the joys of mixing primary colours to create new shades and tints. Through hands-on paint mixing activities, students will develop their understanding of colour relationships while documenting their discoveries in a simple colour mixing journal. The lesson embraces a playful approach to art, encouraging collaboration and encouraging self-expression. This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh by developing creativity, curiosity, and communication in students through the Visual Arts learning area.

Learning Objectives (NZ Curriculum Reference)

• Visual Arts (Level 1):
  • Understanding the arts in context: Explore and use elements of colour experimentally.
  • Developing practical knowledge: Use different materials to explore mixing colours to create new colours and shades.
  • Communicating and interpreting: Describe own work and the effects of mixed colours.
• Key Competencies:
  • Participating and contributing: Work collaboratively in pairs for mixing activities.
  • Thinking: Experiment and problem-solve how to create new colours.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts: Record observations in a colour mixing journal with pictorial and written elements.

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Mix at least three new colours from primary colours.
• Describe how changing paint amounts affects hues.
• Document their mixing results in their colour mixing journals using pictures and simple words.
• Work cooperatively with peers during paint mixing activities.

Materials

• Primary colour paints (red, blue, yellow)
• Paint palettes or mixing trays
• Paintbrushes and stir sticks
• Pre-prepared colour mixing journals (with spaces for pictures and simple sentence starters)
• Visual step-by-step mixing guides with pictures and short text
• Aprons and wipes for mess management
• White paper for experimenting

Lesson Timeline

Time	Activity	Details	Differentiation and Supports
0-5 mins	Introduction & Warm-up	- Briefly review primary colours and ask students if they have ever mixed paints before. - Show a quick visual demonstration of mixing two primary colours to create a secondary colour. - Explain today's task and success criteria with visuals.	Use clear pictorial instructions and gestures. Pair ELL students with peer who speaks first language or has strong English.
5-20 mins	Guided Colour Mixing Experiment	- Students work in pairs, each pair with paint palettes containing primary colours. - Step-by-step visual guides show how to mix colours together to create new hues. - Encourage experimentation with different amounts to create tints and shades. - Teacher circulates, supporting and prompting students to describe changes.	Provide step-by-step visual cue cards. Use peer buddies for learners needing extra guidance. Lower sensory thresholds with aprons and wipes.
20-30 mins	Colour Mixing Journals	- Students paint their discovered colours in their journals. - Complete sentence starters such as: "When I mix ___ and ___ I get ___." with pictorial prompts. - Teacher models writing a simple sentence for the class. - Allow drawing/expression for students who struggle with writing.	Sentence starters to scaffold writing. For students with dyslexia, offer tracing and stickers for their journals. Encourage pictures for those who find writing difficult.
30-40 mins	Extension: Gradient Colour Experiment	- Advanced learners use the same colours to create smooth transitions (gradients) from one colour to another on paper. - Teacher demonstrates a simple gradient example. - Students can share their work with a buddy and describe the colours they made.	Provide extra mixing trays and brushes. Allow extension students to plan their gradient before starting.
40-45 mins	Reflection and Sharing	- Gather students for a group reflection. - Invite pairs to share one new colour they made and explain how they made it. - Recap success criteria. - Praise collaborative effort and curiosity.	Use visual affirmations and pictorial icons for praise. Encourage all voices by using ‘think-pair-share’ before sharing with class.

Differentiation Strategies

• Pair students heterogeneously to blend English learners, children needing extra support, and advanced learners.
• Visual guides with clear step-by-step pictures to support comprehension and reduce cognitive load.
• Provide sentence starters and multiple modalities for documenting learning: writing, drawing, or stickers.
• Use aprons, wipes, and calm workspace arrangements to support children with sensory sensitivities or ADHD.
• Frequent positive reinforcement and modelling of language.

Assessment

• Teacher observation during activity: Check if students can mix at least three new colours.
• Review students’ colour mixing journals for evidence of understanding and ability to document.
• Use questioning during reflection to assess student vocabulary related to colour and mixing.

Resources for Dyslexia-Friendly Reading

• Use large text with high-contrast colours on all instructions.
• Pictorial instructions accompany written words.
• Provide oral explanations alongside written steps.
• Display key vocabulary with symbols (e.g., "Mix", "Red", "Blue", "Yellow", "New colour").

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This lesson plan embraces the holistic, inclusive approach of the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh to engage young learners in creative exploration of colour. It fosters curiosity, supports linguistic diversity, and nurtures fine-motor and communication skills suitable for Year 0-2 students in a vibrant, collaborative environment.

If you want, I can also suggest printable templates for the colour mixing journals and visual step guides that align with this plan!