Start with a large bunch of real or good quality artificial flowers that are different
colours. If possible have more than one flower type within a certain colour range.

• Look at the flowers very carefully. What colours can you see?
• Are the reds [or other colour] all the same? How are they different?
  Are they darker or lighter?
• What’s your favourite colour? Why?
• Choose a flower you like. Find the right colour to paint it on your Top.
  Before you begin think
  where you are going to put the colour.
• Choose another flower and do the same again until your Top is covered.

[Don’t worry about shapes in this activity unless the children have done some
work with shape.]
When the Tops are dry the children can put them on and look at each other and talk

about the colours and flowers they have painted. They can stand in a line and become a hedgerow or flower garden.
[The finished Tops will make an excellent display hung up on a ‘washing line’ in the classroom.]

Meeting curriculum requirements:

The children will be learning to name and talk about colours. They will match colours they have chosen with
colours they have observed. This will require the children to look closely and think about what they see.
They will improve their craft skills in handling brushes and making marks.

Tips for Painting:

Tops must be kept flat when they are being painted and not worn until they are dry.
Try to keep one set of brushes for each colour.
Have different size brushes available and encourage the children to find out what marks each brush will make.
Encourage the children to paint boldly.
If things go wrong wipe out with a damp cloth.
If different reds or blues are wanted, the teacher can mix these in advance by adding a little black or white paint
to the base colour.

Useful Reference:

Collect postcards of artists work. Collect gardening magazines and have flowers in the classroom.

What you will need:

Tops, paints, water jugs, rags, paper towels and brushes.

Activity 0011 Paint your friend
Activity 0012 Woodland trees