- chart paper
- construction paper sqares (blue, brown, green, orange, red, purple, yellow)
- index cards
- paint square samples (shades of blue, brown, green, orange, red, purple, yellow) (can be found at paint supply stores)
- tape
- color
- dark
- darker
- favorite
- light
- lighter
- shade
MA Standards:
Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners during daily routines and play.
Language/L.PK.MA.1: Demonstrate use of oral language in informal everyday activities.
Language/L.PK.MA.6: Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, listening to books read aloud, activities, and play.
Head Start Outcomes:
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
Language Development/Expressive Language: Uses language to express ideas and needs.
Language Development/Expressive Language: Uses increasingly complex and varied vocabulary.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 2: Participate actively in discussions, listen to the ideas of others, and ask and answer relevant questions.
English Language Arts/Language 3: Communicate personal experiences or interests.
Talk Together: Favorite Colors
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: There are many different colors; A color can have many different shades (from very light to very dark)
ELA Focus Skills: Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary
Educator Prep: Tape squares of colored construction paper in a column on a large sheet of chart paper. Make an index card name square for each child.
Distribute the name squares and tell children that you are going make a "Favorite Color Chart" with them to learn about what color is each child's favorite. Review the word "favorite" and say, A favorite color is one that you like best of all.
- Begin the discussion by talking about your favorite color. Use vocabulary such as light and dark in your description. Tell children why it is your favorite color. For example, Does it remind you of something or someone? After you share your favorite color, say, I am going to tape my name next to the <red> square on the chart.
Direct attention to the color chart and have children talk about their favorite colors. Ask questions such as,
- Why is <orange> your favorite color?
- How does the color make you feel?
- Does the color remind you of something or someone?
After children share their favorite color, have them tape their name square next to that color on the chart. Review the chart and talk about which colors are the favorite of most children/least children.
Educator Tip: You may want to avoiding modeling popular, more stereotypical colors (i.e., pink or blue) to encourage children to think more broadly.
Take It Further: You may want to extend the activity by displaying the paint squares of different shades of color and have children choose which shade of their favorite color they like best. Have each child choose a paint square and guide them to hold it next to the color squares on the chart paper.
- Encourage children to use words such as dark, darker, light, or lighter to describe the shade of color they chose.