The color wheel is useful in many fields including art, interior design and fashion.
The color wheel is a visual representation of colors and how they relate to each other. Included are three primary colors -- red, blue and yellow -- which are colors that cannot be produced by mixing any other colors together. The three secondary colors are purple, green and orange and are formed by mixing two primary colors together. Also on the color wheel are six "tertiary" colors, which are more commonly known as intermediate colors. The tertiary colors are red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, and red-orange and are formed by combining a primary color with a secondary color that it is bordering on the color wheel.
Color Wheel Test
A visual representation of the color wheel is easily obtained in books and online. Show the students the color wheel and explain whether each color is a primary or secondary color and what colors complement each other. Print out a blank color wheel and ask the student to color it with crayons to test their memory.
Color Wheel Shuffle
If you have several students, divide them into color groups. For larger groups, classify them by individual colors, and for smaller groups, group by primary or secondary color. This may be designated by the colors of their shirts or by handing out colored pieces of paper. Give the "go" signal and have each child pair up with someone representing her complementary color.
Color Wheel Art
Ask students to choose a color on the color wheel. After they have selected their color, show them the color that complements the one they chose. Direct them to make a picture using only those two colors.
Mix It Up!
Have students dress in old clothes and provide smocks to protect clothing. Provide gloves, nontoxic finger paint, paper, water and plenty of paper towels. Ask students to start with primary colors and then mix all the colors on the color wheel from the three primary colors. When all the colors have been created, ask them to create a picture using the newly mixed colors. This activity is best done outside and with adult supervision.
