Term 3 session 8

The children worked hard all day colouring their composition with pastel. That sounds easy and not hard work... However, the thinking and planning that went on was ‘brain hurting’. Not only did the children have to colour each bird, they had to blend colours in the birds that went together. After colouring all the birds they next considered the background colour that would enhance the bird. The discussion about complimentary colours was a lively one as that knowledge took on a new meaning.

The children all made a colour chart (A4 white paper - around the outside a square of the each pastel colour was laid). They were able to put the colour chart next to each bird to find the complimentary colours. It did take some children to little while to understand the concept of making the colours work against each other to make the birds stand out. Some put very similar colours together and soon realised their picture was muted. Decisions and problem solving all day!

One tip: I found it very important to reapply the chalk lines around the birds and dividing lines before the background was coloured. This reminded the children not to colour right up to the birds as we want a black (dye) dividing line between.
Next week the final reveal...