Designing a Paper Plate for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Free Expression, Drawing and Colouring with Confidence
Topic: Designing a Paper Plate
Subject Matter: Designing a Paper Plate

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a paper plate.
• Name at least two primary colours.
• Demonstrate how to mix two primary colours to create a new colour.

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm for creative activities.
• Appreciate different colour combinations.
• Listen carefully to instructions.

Psychomotor Domain

• Hold a paintbrush correctly.
• Apply poster colours to a paper plate to create a design.
• Mix colours using a paintbrush.

Social Domain

• Share materials with classmates.
• Participate actively in the group activity.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4.
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.

Instructional Materials

• Plain paper plates
• Poster colours (red, yellow, blue, white)
• Paint brushes (child-friendly sizes)
• Small containers/palettes for mixing colours
• Water for rinsing brushes
• Newspaper or old cloths to protect tables
• An example of a pre-designed paper plate (by the teacher)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through painting and colour mixing. It fosters creativity and self-expression, allowing children to explore different colours and patterns. Understanding colour mixing also lays a foundation for basic scientific observation and artistic appreciation.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have seen different types of plates, can identify some basic colours, and have engaged in simple drawing or colouring activities.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Designing a Paper Plate

A paper plate is a light, flat, round plate made from paper. We often use them for eating snacks or for fun craft activities. Today, we will use paper plates and bright poster colours to make beautiful designs!

What are Poster Colours?

Poster colours are bright, opaque paints that are good for painting on paper. They come in many colours like red, yellow, blue, green, and white.

Mixing Colours

We can mix primary colours (red, yellow, blue) to make new colours!

• Red + Yellow = Orange
• Blue + Yellow = Green
• Red + Blue = Purple (Teacher can choose to demonstrate this or focus on two mixes for simplicity)

When we mix colours, we put a little bit of one colour and a little bit of another colour together with a brush. See how a new colour appears!

Designing Your Paper Plate

To design your paper plate:

1. Choose the colours you like.
2. Mix new colours if you want.
3. Dip your paintbrush gently into the colour.
4. Paint patterns, shapes, or anything you imagine on your paper plate.
5. Let it dry to see your beautiful artwork!

Key Words

• Paper plate – A light, round plate made of paper.
• Poster colour – Bright paint used for art.
• Mix – To put different colours together to make a new one.
• Design – To create a pattern or picture.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Show a plain paper plate and an example of a decorated one.
• Display poster colour pots and paint brushes.
• Demonstrate clearly how to mix red and yellow to make orange.
• Demonstrate clearly how to mix blue and yellow to make green.
• Show simple ways to paint patterns (dots, lines, swirls) on a paper plate.

Colour Mixing and Designing Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Paper plate, so round and white,
Let’s make it colourful and bright!
Red and yellow, mix and see,
Orange colour, just for me!
Blue and yellow, what a treat,
Green is lovely, oh so neat!
Paint and swirl, and make a design,
My paper plate, truly fine!

Actions:
Line 1: Make a circle with hands.
Line 2: Wiggle fingers, then clap.
Line 3: Point to red, then yellow, then make mixing motion.
Line 4: Point to orange.
Line 5: Point to blue, then yellow, then make mixing motion.
Line 6: Point to green.
Line 7: Make painting motions.
Line 8: Hold up an imaginary plate and smile.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme after demonstrating colour mixing and before pupils start their own designing. Encourage pupils to do the actions with you.

Watch and Learn About Colours

Let’s watch a short video about how colours mix and change!

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Play-based Learning, Practical Activity, Question and Answer, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and shows them a plain paper plate. “Good morning, children! Look what I have here. What is this?” The teacher asks pupils if they have seen plates like this before and what they are used for. The teacher then introduces the lesson: “Today, we are going to be artists and design our own paper plates using colourful paints!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greetings, identify the paper plate, and share their experiences. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the paper plate and the lesson topic.

Step 2: Identifying Paper Plates and Colours

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Naming

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes one plain paper plate to each pupil. The teacher then shows the poster colours one by one (red, yellow, blue) and asks pupils to name them. “What colour is this?” The teacher ensures all pupils have a plate and can identify the primary colours.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils receive their paper plates. They identify and name the different colours shown by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils identify paper plates and recognise primary colours.

Step 3: Colour Mixing Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gathers pupils’ attention and demonstrates how to mix colours. “Watch carefully! I will take a little bit of red paint and a little bit of yellow paint. When I mix them together with my brush, what new colour do you see?” The teacher clearly shows how red and yellow make orange, and blue and yellow make green. The teacher sings the “Colour Mixing and Designing Rhyme” with actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration of colour mixing. They excitedly call out the new colours formed and sing along with the rhyme, performing the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils learn that primary colours can be mixed to create new colours.

Step 4: Guided Colour Mixing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides small amounts of primary colours and mixing palettes to groups of pupils. “Now it’s your turn to try! Take a little red and a little yellow. Mix them gently. What colour did you make?” The teacher moves around, guiding pupils and assisting with mixing as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully try mixing two primary colours (e.g., red and yellow, or blue and yellow) to create a secondary colour, following the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils practise mixing colours and observe the transformation.

Step 5: Designing Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows an example of a pre-designed paper plate and demonstrates simple ways to paint on the plate. “See how I used different colours to make patterns? You can make dots, lines, swirls, or anything you like!” The teacher shows how to hold the brush and apply paint neatly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s example and demonstration of painting techniques, imagining their own designs.

Learning Point: Pupils understand how to apply paint to design their plates.

Step 6: Pupils Design Paper Plates

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Activity/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to start designing their paper plates using the colours they have mixed and the primary colours. “Now, use your creative minds and paint beautiful designs on your plates!” The teacher supervises, offers encouragement, and reminds pupils to work carefully.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively engage in designing their paper plates, applying colours and creating patterns as they wish.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their creativity and fine motor skills to design a paper plate.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “Show me your beautiful paper plate!”
2. “What colours did you use to design your plate?”
3. “Can you tell me one new colour you made by mixing?” (e.g., “How did you make orange?”)
4. “What is this round thing we designed?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate by holding up their designed plates and pointing to colours.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson by identifying materials and showing their designed plates.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises all pupils for their effort and creativity. “Wow, you all did a fantastic job designing your paper plates! Each one is unique and beautiful. Remember to always be creative!” The teacher guides pupils to clean up their workspace and wash their hands.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils feel proud of their work, help with cleanup, and prepare to wash their hands.

Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and learn the importance of tidiness.

Lesson Keywords

• Paper plate – A lightweight, disposable plate used for food or crafts.
• Poster colour – Bright, water-based paint used for art projects.
• Mix – To combine different substances, like colours, to form a new one.
• Design – To plan and create a decorative pattern or artwork.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle with fine motor skills, provide larger paint brushes or pre-mixed secondary colours. Offer hand-over-hand guidance for painting motions. Give fewer colour choices to avoid overwhelming them.
• Extension: Encourage quicker pupils to try mixing three colours (e.g., adding white to lighten a colour) or to create more intricate patterns and designs on their plates. They can also be asked to describe their design in more detail.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure all materials are prepared and easily accessible. Cover tables with newspaper to manage mess. Emphasize to pupils that paint is for plates, not for eating, and that they must wash their hands thoroughly after the activity. Demonstrate colour mixing clearly and allow pupils ample time for guided practice before independent work. Encourage creativity and praise effort, not just perfection. Observe how pupils hold the brush, mix colours, and apply paint to assess their fine motor development and understanding. Their ability to identify colours and explain their design will show cognitive understanding. Remember to let the plates dry completely before sending them home.