Unit Plan 6 (Grade K Art): Color Play Lab

Focus: Experiment with colors by mixing, layering, and applying them in playful ways.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, kindergarten students become color scientists in a “Color Play Lab.” They explore how colors can be bright, soft, dark, or light, and how new colors can appear when we mix or layer them. Through hands-on activities with crayons, markers, and simple paint, students discover color changes and enjoy the process of experimenting. By the end of the unit, they can name some colors, notice when colors mix to make something new, and talk about how color can make art feel happy, calm, or exciting.

Essential Questions

• What colors do I see in my world and artwork?
• What happens when I mix or layer colors together?
• How can I use color to make my art feel bright, calm, or bold?
• How does experimenting with color help me learn and have fun in the art room?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Name and use basic colors (red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, plus black and white).
2. Experiment with mixing colors (e.g., two crayons layered, two paints blended) to see new colors appear.
3. Fill a page with areas of color that change (light/dark, mixed, layered).
4. Describe one or two colors they created and how those colors look or feel.
5. Use color freely in a simple artwork (e.g., a color field, color “storm,” or color garden).

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.Ka — Explore elements of art (line, shape, color, texture) through hands-on experimentation.
  • Example: Students experiment with making different kinds of lines.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name and use many colors.
• I can mix or layer colors to make new ones.
• I can fill my paper with different colors that change.
• I can tell someone about a color I made and how it looks or feels.