Crayons in the Garden
Objective
Students will investigate color in the garden and compare them to crayon colors.
STEAM Connections & Kentucky Academic Standards
NGSS
Life Science: Inheritance and Variation of Traits - 3-LS3-2
Art
Perceive, develop, and complete artistic work
Materials
Large variety of crayons (be sure lots of nature colors are included)
You could also use paint sample cards
Optional: photos of colorful gardens or landscapes
Procedures
On the way into the garden, ask students to see how many colors they can see in the garden.
In a gathering place ask students if they can imagine where the crayon companies get ideas for the colors in the crayon box. Allow time for a couple of ideas.
Instruct students to select one crayon from the container. (I recommend using a large flat container so children can see and choose a color easily.)
Depending on the age of students and, of course, the weather, it is a good idea to have another time signal.
Send students into the gardens to see if they can find a match in color for their crayon. Remind them to look at everything in and around the garden as well as above (sky colors).
When students come back, give them an opportunity to say what they found that matches their crayon.
Assessment
This is an enlightening activity for any age. Ask, “How do the crayon colors compare to the colors from the garden? Remind students to carefully observe art to see the colors from nature.
You may also suggest that students create a picture of a garden using as many crayon colors as possible based on what they discovered and heard from their fellow students.