Exploring Primary Colours

Lesson Overview

Subject: Art and Design
Key Stage: KS1
Year Group: Year 2
Duration: 51 minutes
Class Size: 20 Students
Curriculum Area: National Curriculum for Art & Design – Exploring Colour, Experimentation with Media

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the three primary colours (red, blue, yellow).
• Understand that primary colours cannot be made by mixing other colours.
• Experiment with mixing primary colours to explore simple changes in hues.
• Express their understanding of colours through hands-on activities.

Resources

• Colourful storybook (‘Mouse Paint’ by Ellen Stoll Walsh or similar)
• Red, blue, and yellow paint (washable, child-safe)
• Large sheets of white paper
• Paintbrushes and sponges
• Plastic palettes or paper plates (for mixing paints)
• Aprons (to protect clothing)
• Colour flashcards
• Small mirrors (optional for reflection discussions)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Engaging Introduction (10 minutes)

Hook: "Colour Mystery" Game

• Display three large, covered bowls on the table. Each contains an object of a primary colour (e.g., red apple, blue toy car, yellow banana).
• One by one, uncover each bowl and ask students: “What do these colours have in common?”
• Encourage guesses but guide them toward understanding that they are primary colours.
• Explain that these colours cannot be created by mixing other colours together.

Storytime Connection

• Read ‘Mouse Paint’ by Ellen Stoll Walsh (or another engaging colour-themed book).
• Pause at key moments to ask questions about what happens when colours mix.

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2. Hands-on Exploration (30 minutes)

Activity 1: Colour Discovery Painting (15 minutes)

• Provide each student with a palette of only red, blue, and yellow paint.
• Give them a blank sheet and ask them to paint simple shapes using only the three primary colours.
• Encourage students to think about places they have seen these colours in real life (e.g., red buses, blue sky, yellow sun).

Activity 2: Colour Mixing Challenge (15 minutes)

• Ask: “What happens when we mix colours together?”
• On a separate sheet, allow students to mix two primary colours at a time and explore colour changes.
• Guide them toward discovering secondary colours (e.g., mixing red and blue makes purple).
• Have a short discussion: “Did anything surprise you?”

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3. Reflection & Wrap-up (11 minutes)

Mini Colour Gallery Walk (5 minutes)

• Students place their work on the table and walk around the classroom to observe each other's discoveries.
• Encourage positive comments such as: “I like how you made bright orange!”

Exit Reflection (6 minutes)

• Give each student a mirror and ask: “Can you see any primary colours on yourself? Your clothes? Your classroom?”
• Discuss where we see primary colours in everyday life (signs, nature, clothing).
• Reinforce the concept that primary colours are unique and form the foundation for all others.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observing participation in the mixing activity.
• Questioning students to check understanding of primary colours.
• Reviewing student artwork to assess grasp of colour mixing.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Pair students who need more guidance with a peer ‘colour buddy’.
• Challenge: Encourage early finishers to create patterns using only primary colours.
• SEN & EAL Support: Use visual aids and modelling to reinforce key ideas.

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Teacher Reflection

• Which parts of the lesson engaged students the most?
• Did any students struggle with identifying or mixing colours?
• How can future lessons build on this knowledge (e.g. exploring warm and cool colours, creating secondary colours)?

Next Lesson: Using Primary Colours to Create Mood and Themes in Art! 🎨