All the Colors We Are activity plan

TeachPeaceNow

Lesson: All the Colors We Are

Objective: To teach children why our skin is the color that it is.

Grade Level: Preschool to middle school

Preparation: This is a painting activity. It can be done whole group or as a center. Set up a place for distrbuting paint. Have available: large white paper plates, brushes, newspaper, tempera paint - white, black, brown, red, yellow, brown, and a way to wash hands. You also need white paper scraps and a roll of mural paper.

Procedure: Read the book All the Colors We Are (Kissenger) Ask students to describe the color of their skin. Point out that none of the tempera paint colors match Demonstrate how to put small amounts of selected colors on the plate and then how to mix various skin tones. Allow students time to explore mixing the paint and testing the colors on scraps of paper. When they are satisfied with their personal color they are to paint their palms and fingers and make a handprint on the mural paper. Have each students write their name by their handprint.

Follow Up Discussion Questions: What was challenging about mixing your special skin color? Is your palm only one color? Is your palm the same color as skin on other parts of your hand? What have you learned about the color of people's skin?

Extension: Display the mural with a sign stating something like this:

People have different colors of skin because of a chemical in the skin called melanin. People with a lot of melanin have darker skin. People with less melamin have lighter skin. These are our skin colors. What color is your skin?

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