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Grade 1 · Visual arts · 20 minutes

Warm and cool colors

Group red, orange and yellow as common warm colors and blue, green and violet as common cool colors. Share observations in a guided discussion.

Mr. S Teaches · Starter mini-lesson · elem-1-warm-and-cool-colors

Learning objective

Explain and practice warm and cool colors using the activity and evidence, then take part in a grade-appropriate discussion.

Gather your materials

  • Paper and crayons or pencils
  • Optional safe paper shapes, textures or a simple object

Use the items named in the teaching steps; paper models or adult-prepared photographs can replace physical equipment.

Supporting Common Core connection

SL.1.1

Listen, build on others’ comments, and ask clarifying questions during discussion.

Read the official standard ↗

Code and grade verified 2026-11-03. This mini-lesson addresses a selected skill, not the entire standard. The connection is to the guided literacy discussion; it does not establish alignment with this subject’s content standards.

Teach it step by step

  1. Group red, orange and yellow as common warm colors and blue, green and violet as common cool colors.
  2. Create two small pictures using the two groups.
  3. Compare how the pictures feel without assuming everyone shares the same reaction.
  4. Explain a choice and build on a partner's comment.
  5. Explain what you notice. Build on a partner’s comment. Give each person a turn, invite a question, and finish by naming an idea heard from someone else.

Watch, notice, discuss

Video choices for this lesson

2 choices

Preview a video, then choose what fits your learners. “Show to class” opens a larger view; use the player’s play and full-screen controls when you’re ready.

Teacher preview needed. Check the language, level and length before showing. YouTube may show ads or related videos.

After watching

Choose warm and cool colors for a picture. Describe the effect of each group.

An external player loads only after you choose Preview or Show to class. Playback connects to YouTube. Videos belong to their creators; availability and embedding can change.

Make the thinking visible

Example to work through together

A red-orange sky may feel energetic to one viewer; a blue-green sky may feel calm. A viewer should cite the colors rather than claim a universal response.

Try the starter activity

Make two small pictures using warm and cool color groups. Then discuss your findings with a partner or adult, using the discussion goal above.

Student practice

Make two color studies and discuss one visible difference and its effect.

Quick check for understanding

How did your color choices change the mood?

Sample answer and teacher guidance

Sample answer: Answers vary with the artwork and viewer; look for a color-based explanation.

Listen or look for: Answers vary with the artwork and viewer; look for a color-based explanation.

Invite the learner to explain, demonstrate, draw or dictate their reasoning. Revisit a teaching step when the explanation is unclear.

Make it work for your learner

A little more support

Provide labeled color choices and allow digital or tactile color selection.

An additional challenge

Mix a warm and cool group in one image and explain a deliberate focal point.