Overview:

In this inquiry-based lesson, students explore the sense of sight and discover how we see colors. Through a read-aloud of Color Dance, hands-on color mixing experiments, and creative art centers, students learn that their eyes allow them to see light and color. They identify the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and investigate how these colors can be mixed to create new colors. This lesson integrates science and art while reinforcing observation, prediction, and discussion skills.

Grade Level:

Pre-K – 2nd Grade

Subject:

Science (Sense of Sight) with Art Integration

Duration:

45–60 minutes

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify the eyes as the organ used for sight.

  2. Name the three primary colors (red, yellow, blue).

  3. Explain that primary colors are used to make other colors.

Academic Vocabulary:

  • Sight

  • Eyes

  • Primary colors

  • Mix

  • Shade

  • Light / Dark

  • Secondary colors (1st–2nd)

Materials:

Whole Group

  • Color Dance

  • Clear jars or cups with water

  • Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)

  • Droppers/spoons

  • Sense of Sight Figures

Centers

Center 1 – Watercolor Rainbows

  • Watercolor paper

  • Watercolor sets

  • Brushes, water, cups

Center 2 – Marble Paint Mixing

  • Heavy paper

  • Tempera paint (red, yellow, blue)

  • Marbles

  • Box lids

Center 3 – Color Mixing Chart

  • Color Mixing Worksheet

  • Tempera paint (red, yellow, blue)

  • Markers/crayons

  • Paper plates (one per child)

5E Instructional Model:

ENGAGE:

Ask:

  • What body part helps us see?

  • What is your favorite color?

  • Where do we see colors?

Explain: Our eyes help us see light and color.

Introduce primary colors:

  • Red

  • Yellow

  • Blue

State: These colors are called primary because they cannot be made by mixing other colors.

EXPLORE:

Color Mixing Demonstration

  1. Fill jars with clear water.

  2. Add red, yellow, and blue separately.

  3. Ask students to predict what will happen when two colors mix.

Mix:

  • Red + Yellow → Orange

  • Blue + Yellow → Green

  • Red + Blue → Purple

Emphasize: When we mix primary colors, we make new colors. Allow students to observe closely and describe changes.

EXPLAIN:

Read aloud:
Color Dance

Pause to:

  • Predict color changes

  • Identify primary colors

  • Discuss lighter/darker shades

Explain simply:

  • Adding white makes a color lighter.

  • Adding black makes a color darker.

Show a rainbow image.
Ask:

  • Which colors are primary?

  • Which were mixed?

ELABORATE:

Students rotate through centers.

Center 1: Watercolor Rainbows

Students paint a rainbow using primary and secondary colors.

Prompt: Which colors are primary colors? 

Center 2: Marble Paint Mixing

Students tilt paint and marbles to mix colors.

Prompt:

  • Which colors did you mix?

  • What new color did you make?

Center 3: Color Mixing Chart

Using paper plates with preloaded paint drops, students complete a worksheet showing how colors combine.

Students can use their paint to dab color on their worksheets or use crayons/markers to show what combinations they made.

EVALUATE:

Ask:

  • What body part helps us see?

  • What are the three primary colors?

  • Can primary colors be made by mixing?

  • How do we make green?

Exit Assessment Options:

  • Name two primary colors.

  • Tell how to make orange.

  • Draw and label a color mix.

Students demonstrate mastery if they can:

  • Identify eyes as the sense organ for sight
  • Name red, yellow, blue
  • Explain that primary colors mix to make new colors

Support (Pre-K/K)

  • Provide visual color cards

  • Use sentence frames: Red and yellow make ______.

Enrichment (1st–2nd)

  • Introduce the term “secondary colors.”

  • Ask why brown is not a primary color

  • Allow independent color experiments

Standards Alignment (NGSS-Based)

Kindergarten

K-LS1-1: Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
(Connection: Humans use their eyes to observe and interpret color.)

K-PS4-2: Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
(Connection: Light enables us to see color.)

First Grade

1-PS4-2: Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated.
(Connection: Sight depends on light; color is seen when light reflects from objects.)

Second Grade

2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
(Connection: Color is an observable property of materials.)