Tracing/drawing and colouring simple shapes and objects for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Arts and Crafts
Focal competence: Recognising various colours
Key competencies/values: Critical Thinking; Creativity and Innovation
Skills:

• Tracing/drawing shapes and objects
• Colouring of shapes and objects

Previous Lesson: Recognising and naming colours
Topic: Colours: Colouring Shapes And Objects
Subject Matter: Tracing/drawing and colouring simple shapes and objects

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify various simple shapes and objects.
• Select suitable colours for different shapes and objects.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of neatness in art work.
• Show interest in drawing and colouring activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Trace or draw a simple shape/object.
• Colour the traced or drawn shape/object appropriately and neatly.
• Make coloured patterns with hands and fingers through hand printing.

Social Domain

• Work cooperatively during group art activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Cultural and Creative Arts textbook for Primary 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Trays of colours (e.g., crayons, coloured pencils, poster colours)
• White paper
• Colour wheel
• Teacher-made example or chart of simple shapes and coloured objects
• Pencils and erasers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for developing pupils’ fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Learning to trace, draw, and colour helps pupils express themselves visually and recognise different colours. These foundational art skills also build confidence and prepare them for more complex artistic tasks.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should be familiar with basic colours and how to hold a pencil or crayon.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Colours: Colouring Shapes And Objects

What is Tracing?

Tracing is drawing over lines that are already there. It helps us learn how to draw shapes and objects properly.

What is Drawing?

Drawing is making pictures or lines on paper using a pencil, crayon, or other tools. We can draw many things like shapes, animals, and people.

What is Colouring?

Colouring is filling in shapes or drawings with different colours. It makes our pictures beautiful and lively.

How to Colour Neatly

To make your colouring look good, follow these steps:

1. Holding the colouring tool: Hold your crayon or coloured pencil gently but firmly, like you hold your writing pencil.
2. Colouring within the outline: Try to keep your colours inside the lines of the shape or object. This makes your work neat.
3. Applying even pressure: Press gently and evenly so the colour looks smooth and not too dark or too light in different places.
4. Selecting suitable colours: Choose colours that match the object or that you like. For example, a leaf is usually green, and the sky is blue.

Examples of Simple Shapes and Objects for Colouring

Some simple shapes and objects we can trace, draw, and colour are:

1. Circle (e.g., a ball, sun)
2. Square (e.g., a box, window)
3. Triangle (e.g., a slice of pizza, roof of a house)
4. Rectangle (e.g., a door, book)
5. Star
6. Heart
7. Flower
8. Apple

Making Coloured Patterns with Hand Printing

Hand printing is a fun way to make patterns using your hands and colours. You dip your hand or fingers in a little paint and press it onto paper to make different designs.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name some colours they know. The teacher then reminds them of the previous lesson (if related to colours or drawing) and introduces the new topic: “Colours: Colouring Shapes and Objects.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and name different colours. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Prior knowledge activation

Step 2: Explanation of Tracing/Drawing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what tracing and drawing mean. Using a chart or whiteboard, the teacher demonstrates how to trace a simple shape like a circle or square, and then how to draw it freehand.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: Concept of tracing/drawing

Step 3: Explanation of Colouring Techniques

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what colouring is and demonstrates correct colouring techniques: how to hold the crayon, how to colour within the lines, and how to apply even pressure. The teacher also shows how to select appropriate colours using a colour wheel or examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch carefully as the teacher demonstrates the colouring techniques.

Learning Point: Basic colouring techniques

Step 4: Guided Practice – Tracing/Drawing

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes paper and pencils. The teacher guides pupils to trace simple shapes (e.g., circles, squares) provided on their paper or to draw them freehand, moving around to assist pupils who need help.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice tracing and drawing simple shapes on their paper under the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Tracing and drawing practice

Step 5: Guided Practice – Colouring Shapes and Objects

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides crayons or coloured pencils. The teacher instructs pupils to colour the shapes they have traced or drawn, reminding them to colour neatly, stay within the lines, and use even pressure. The teacher monitors their work and offers individual feedback.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils colour their shapes and objects, applying the techniques taught by the teacher.

Learning Point: Neat colouring skills

Step 6: Hand Printing Activity

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Activity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to make simple coloured patterns using hand printing with poster colours (if available and appropriate). The teacher guides pupils to try making simple hand or finger prints on a separate piece of paper.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and then try making hand or finger prints to create patterns.

Learning Point: Hand printing patterns

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. How do you hold your crayon when colouring?
2. What does it mean to colour “within the outline”?
3. Show me one shape you traced or drew.
4. Show me your coloured shape. Is it neat?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Colouring and tracing understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on tracing, drawing, and colouring techniques into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Note-taking skills

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their effort and encourages them to continue practicing tracing, drawing, and colouring neatly at home. The teacher reminds them that practice makes perfect.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the teacher’s encouragement.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework / Practice Exercise

Instruction: Draw and colour the following simple objects in your art notebook. Remember to colour neatly and stay within the lines.

1. A red apple
2. A yellow sun
3. A green leaf
4. A blue square
5. A brown tree trunk

Lesson Keywords

• Tracing – drawing over existing lines.
• Drawing – making pictures or lines on a surface.
• Colouring – filling shapes or drawings with colours.
• Shapes – basic forms like circles, squares, triangles.
• Neatness – doing work carefully and cleanly.

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide pre-drawn outlines for tracing and colouring. Offer more one-on-one guidance on holding tools and staying within lines. Use larger shapes for easier colouring.
Extension for faster learners: Encourage them to draw more complex objects or create a small scene using different coloured shapes. Challenge them to mix colours to create new shades.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further visual learning, search on YouTube for: Primary 1 tracing drawing colouring shapes

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a variety of colouring tools (crayons, coloured pencils, or even washable poster paints for hand printing), white paper, and examples of simple shapes and objects. Prepare a chart or draw on the board to demonstrate tracing, drawing, and neat colouring techniques. Guide pupils through each step, paying close attention to how they hold their tools and apply colour. Emphasise the importance of staying within the lines and using even pressure. For hand printing, ensure a safe and clean setup. Circulate around the classroom to provide individual assistance and positive reinforcement. Allow pupils to copy the Board Summary notes after the main activities and evaluation to ensure they grasp the key concepts before recording them. Encourage creativity while reinforcing the basic skills of neatness and control.