color wheel and color mixing

This week in science we have introduced the color wheel.  The children were able to make a color wheel independently by following visual cues.  We used paper plates divided into six separate spaces with the three primary colors (red, blue and yellow) and secondary colors (orange, green and purple) written in that color on the plate.  This allows non-readers to understand what color goes in that spot. 

We had prepared clippings from newspaper ads in the six colors in separate bowls and placed them on the table.  One the table was a glue stick and a pencil.  The children wrote their names on the back, applied the glue stick and then picked out a paper to glue on.

Here is a finished product.  The child then is able to see the different colors of the color wheel. This is a great work for younger children.

As an extension of the color wheel, we presented color mixing to the extended day children.  Here the child is able to mix drops of the three primary colors to make their own wheel.

The child first applies the drops of red to the wheel.  This can be a tricky process and requires more developed fine motor skills.  The children have practiced using a dropper with other works in the classroom.   The child proceeds to use the other colors and drop the colored water right on the little dot.  Another skill is taking the top on and putting it back on the bottle. 

Once the drops are on, a toothpick is used to mix up the colors.  This way they make the desired secondary colors.  After each mix, the child wipes it on the sponge to get rid of the color before mixing a new one.

After this process is completed, the child places their paper towel down on the colored water.  They gasp as they see what happens!

A beautiful color wheel!  (It is even better once it has dried.)

One child did two in a row and said she wants to do this in her house!