STEAM Ahead
Chicago Height/ Park Forest, Illinois
Science Technology Engineering Art Math

Primary Color Math Equations Activity


Using math equations to demonstrate the interaction of primary colors

Grade Level Focus: Kindergarten
School: 21st Century Primary
Teaching Artist: Jordan Knecht
Classroom Teacher: Andrea Mele
Materials: red, yellow and blue tissue paper; plexiglass, scissors, glue sticks, masking tape
Class Periods: 1Unit Connections: Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry

SummaryCreate equations to express the result of primary color combinations
Lesson Sequence
Lesson 1:
  1. Cut geometric shapes out of red, yellow and blue tissue paper.
  2. Hold the shapes against the plexiglass and observe the colors created when they overlap.
  3. Construct + and = symbols with strips of masking tape and place them on the plexiglass.
  4. Create addition equations to show the primary colors that make secondary colors.
  5. Share color math equations with others.

Note: This activity uses clear plexiglass dividers and tissue paper, but can be accomplished using transparent plastic sheets, watercolors on paper, or other materials made from primary colors.
Common Core Math Standards
K.G.1
K.G.4
KOAA.A.1
National Visual Arts Standards See National Visual Arts Standards to align to your grade level for these Anchor Standards:

Anchor Standard 1
Anchor Standard 2
Anchor Standard 3
Anchor Standard 5
Artist Connections
Joseph Albers
Additional ResourcesLittle Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni 

Little Blue and Little Yellow | WorldCat.org


Work examples: 
create tissue paper shapes create tissue paper shapes color addition equations color addition equations



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