Exploring the World of Colours at Astor International School: an Enquiry-Based Learning Approach

Learning is brought to life through hands-on, enquiry-based learning in Astor International School Singapore. In our Year 4 classroom, students recently embarked on a vibrant journey exploring the world of colours, combining creativity with scientific discovery.

Through this engaging International Primary Curriculum (IPC) unit, students explored how colours are formed, how they interact, and how they influence the way we feel, making learning both meaningful and memorable.

Astor students spinning colour wheel

Understanding Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colours

The journey began with the basics: primary colours which are red, blue, and yellow. Students learned that these colours are the foundation of all others and cannot be created by mixing different colours together.

Building on this knowledge, students experimented with mixing primary colours to form secondary colours:

• Red + Blue = Purple

• Blue + Yellow = Green

• Red + Yellow = Orange

  
  

This hands-on activity allowed students to see colour theory come to life right before their eyes.

Next, students explored tertiary colours, created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. This introduced a wider range of shades and tones, helping students understand the relationships within the colour spectrum more deeply.

Hands-On and Enquiry-based Learning with Different Materials in Astor International School

Astor students creating colour wheel

To deepen their understanding, students explored colours using a variety of art materials, including crayons, coloured pencils, markers, watercolours, and acrylic paints. They also experimented with cellophane paper, discovering how overlapping transparent colours can create entirely new shades.

The classroom was filled with curiosity and excitement as students tested their ideas. Some carefully mixed colours on palettes, while others layered colours directly onto paper to observe different effects.

This hands-on learning approach not only made lessons more engaging but also reinforced the idea that colours are everywhere — and can be explored in many creative ways.

The Colour Wheel Experiment: Where Art Meets Science in Astor International School

Astor students spinning colour wheel

Students then applied their knowledge by creating their own colour wheel, arranging primary, secondary, and tertiary colours in a circular format.

To extend the learning further, the class turned this into a simple science experiment. By attaching strings to the colour wheel and spinning it quickly, students explored an interesting question: What happens when all the colours blend together?

As the wheel spun, the colours appeared to merge into a much lighter shade, some students even observed that it looked white. This led to a discussion about optical illusions and how the brain processes fast-moving visual information.

This activity beautifully demonstrated how art and science are interconnected, helping students understand that colours are not just visual elements but also part of how our eyes and brain interpret the world.

Exploring Colours and Emotions

To conclude the lesson, students reflected on how colours can influence emotions and feelings. This discussion encouraged personal expression and deeper thinking:

Astor students colouring colour wheel

• Yellow was associated with happiness and sunshine

• Blue felt calm, like the ocean or sky

• Red represented energy, excitement, and sometimes anger

• Green felt refreshing and connected to nature

  
  

Through this, students learned that colours play an important role not only in art but also in shaping moods, environments, and everyday experiences.

A Meaningful Learning Experience!

At Astor International School, lessons like these reflect our commitment to personalised learning, small class sizes, and hands-on education. By combining creativity, experimentation, and discussion, students develop both academic understanding and real-world connections.

Exploring colours became more than just an art activity, it was an opportunity for students to think critically, express themselves, and discover the world in a more meaningful way.