Complementary Color Studies

While this project is a continuation of our color explorations, it is a great "I need something now" kind of project. It is simple, all you need is paper and paint, and can be completed in two paint sessions. It is also gives teachers a quick check-in assessment for how children are understanding and using concepts about color (science of color).

Children draw circles on white paper using permanent markers.

The circles simply provide lines or reference points for the complementary colors. At this point, we check in with the children to find out which color will be "the first color" and then ask them to name its complementary color.  

Red with Green

Blue with Orange

Yellow with Purple

During a second paint session, the children use black paint to outline the colors and in some cases to redefine their original permanent marker lines.