I just finished this project with "my" 145-8th graders. We tackled this
project after having other color exercises - It most definitely was a hit!
Here are some specifics that might help.
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Preparation:
Plastic sandwich bag kits - one per every four students:
- 15 vanilla wafers (I have students mix all 12 colors, two neutrals...one
extra cookie just in case)
- 3 craft (popsicle) sticks
- 3 small styrofoam plates per group (primaries go on one, mix cool colors on
plate #2, warm colors on plate #3)
**Note, you can get Wal-Mart brand vanilla wafers for $.88 a box and salvage
about 60-75 "good" wafers from each box = 5 baggies.
Each group needs only about 2 tablespoons of each primary color to complete
the wheel. Review THE rule of color mixing (using lighter color as a base
and slowly adding small amounts of the darker color). I get really dramatic
about this and tell them they WILL run out of frosting if they don't adhere
to the rule....you should see how excited they get when they have extra
frosting left over.
***frosting notes: Buy commercially - it's definitely worth the time savings.
6 containers is plenty (2 per primary color).
- buy the frosting that already has a color base (e.g. strawberry for
the red, lemon for the yellow....you'll have to buy vanilla for your blue)
- To enhance the frosting color USE KOOL-AID!!! (cherry for red, berry
blast for blue....you might have to resort to food coloring for
yellow)
....this is a great (and inexpensive) way to get intense color and add
wacky flavor that the kids love.....but shhh, don't tell them how you
did it - let that add to your mystique as a teacher....jejeje.
If you're interested, I'd be happy to share grading specifics as well. It's
too bad I'm not able to send frosting via the internet. I made the mistake
of staying up and making frosting from scratch and now I have a freezer full
of the leftovers....enough to frost birthday cakes until 2010 - ack!
