Color Wheel Spinner Art Lesson & Worksheets for Elementary & Middle School Art

Are your elementary and middle school art classes bored learning color theory and the color wheel? These engaging, interactive color wheel spinner templates include 7 different color schemes. Use the worksheets in conjunction with your own color theory art projects to reinforce the learning.

Each color wheel spinner targets either secondary, tertiary, complementary, split-complementary, or analogous colors, as well as tints and shades. The secondary and tertiary spinners come labeled and unlabeled. Use these to scaffold your color wheel art lessons for elementary.

Students can use paint, colored pencils, crayons, and markers to fill in. Simply color, cut, and fasten!

Once it’s assembled, these color wheel spinners are very hands-on. Students will use them repeatedly to recall how to mix colors.

COLOR THEORY LESSON PLANS

Spiraling color wheel lessons throughout your art curriculum will build knowledge over time. Here’s how I’ve taught color theory in art for elementary and middle school.

• KINDERGARTEN: I teach them that red, blue, and yellow are primary colors. They do not get a color wheel spinner.
• 1ST GRADE: They receive a secondary color wheel spinner (labeled) as well as a pre-drawn top cover. We do it together.
• 2ND GRADE: I give them a secondary color wheel wheel (unlabeled, because it’s review) and help them half way. They fill in the remainder. They also work in pairs or table groups to create a color wheel spinner for tints and shades. They also learn that the colors not on the color wheel are called neutral colors.
• 3RD GRADE: They get a tertiary color wheel spinner with a blank top. I guide them through making it. And, I have them design something related to the color spectrum. They also learn about 3 complementary color pairs.
• 4TH GRADE: Each child gets a blank tertiary color wheel to complete on their own. 4th grade also learns that complementaries can be mixed to make neutrals.
• 5TH GRADE: I teach them about analogous and monochromatic color schemes as well as how to mix a tone.
• 6TH GRADE: They’re given a complementary color wheel that uses tertiary colors.
• 7TH GRADE: They receive a split-complementary color wheel worksheet.
• 8TH GRADE: This year is a reinforcement of everything they’ve already learned about the color wheel.

Color theory lessons plans are more engaging with this color wheel spinner activity. These take color theory worksheets a step further because they show kids how to use a color wheel.

COLOR WHEEL SPINNER TEMPLATES INCLUDED

• Secondary (Unlabeled & Unlabeled)
• Tertiary (Unlabeled & Unlabeled)
• Complementary (with Secondaries)
• Complementary (with Tertiaries)
• Analogous
• Tints and Shades
• Split-Complementary

YOU WILL RECEIVE

• 1 Non-Editable PDF (Teacher Directions, Step-by-Step Student-Lead Directions, 9 Color Wheel Spinner Templates)
• Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource for students (also for use on Google Classroom, Google Slides, and Microsoft OneDrive)

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

These wheels are a fabulous resource. I have used them with multiple grade levels. All classes enjoyed making these wheels and I believe that it gave the students a better understanding of color theory. It’s great that they can each have their own wheels that they can manipulate. I also like that there are a variety of choices of designs. That way students are able to take some ownership and make creative choices.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As an art teacher with primary students, I always start off the year with a focus on colour. This colour wheel was a massive hit with my grade 2s last year! It really helped us to start off the year on a fun and engaging note!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am teaching color theory in our after school program. The is a perfect introduction activity!

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Created by Amie Bentley, © Glitter Meets Glue Designs, LLC