Step 1: Notice colors on the map
Begin with a conversation about the colors on the map and what they represent. “You are going to paint this map. What colors do we need?” (streets: gray, highways: red, parks: green, water: blue, buildings: your choice)
Step 2: Mix colors
Display the color wheel and ask students to name the three primary colors. Use the wheel to show which secondary colors will result from mixing two primary colors together. Model for students how to mix yellow and blue to make green, altering the color until you get a shade of green that you like.
Step 3: Watercolor techniques
On test paper, use a paintbrush to put water on the area of the paper you are going to paint. Paint a space that does not have water on it. Then, paint where there is water. Have students turn and talk about what happened. Explain that the watercolor should flow over the spaces on the map, so students should use water accordingly.
Teaching Tip: Change out paint water often so it does not affect mixed colors.
Step 4: Paint special places
When finished painting the map, have students use watercolor paints to paint their special place.
Teaching Tip: Have plenty of paper towels to use for soaking up any extra paint or water on the paper.
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