Color

Throughout history, puzzles have been a source of fun and a way to strengthen memory skills, along with the ability to plan and test ideas. Puzzles help children of all ages recall shapes, colors, along with honing problem-solving tactics and strategic thinking. 

Tangrams were invented in China in the late 1700s. They consist of 7 pieces: 2 small triangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 larger triangles, a rhomboid, and a square.

In this program, students will color tangrams, then use geometry, shapes, colors, and sizes to create patterns. They will use creative problem-solving skills to invent patterns they see around them and bring meaning to shapes and colors. Students will learn how spatial relationships work along with color and geometric shapes. 
 

The Bauhaus Dancer is an excellent introduction to basic design concepts. These dancers are inspired by the Bauhaus Ballet that used color and shapes to recreate the classic form of ballet dancers with a signature twist. Students will use a combination of shapes to design their own dancers. Choose between a circle, triangle, and square to create a head, abdomen, and hips. These simple shapes open a world of combinations, teaching us that people come in all shapes and sizes.

When the primary colors of light, red, green, and blue are mixed, white light is produced. By looking at the shadows cast when an object blocks one or more of these color components, you can observe both the additive and subtractive processes of color mixing. Instead of subtracting light via an absorbing pigment, the object's shadow "removes" the component color from the "white" light. For example, the yellow shadow is the result of blocking the blue led and only allowing red and green to mix. Similarly, yellow pigment absorbs blue light and reflects red and green. The addition of red and green light makes yellow. The bluish-green shadow - CYAN - is the result of blocking the red light. Where the cyan and yellow shadow overlaps appears to be green. Why? This small shadow is where both red and blue are blocked. Likewise, when we mix cyan and yellow pigment cyan absorbs red and yellow absorbs blue. The only thing left to be reflected is green. Cyan pigment and yellow pigment both reflect green, so that's what we see. (In white light) Also make a Benham Top and experiment with it and its separate interchangeable patterns.