Exploring Light and Color in the Classroom

Inside: Exploring Light and Color in the Classroom

My students love the light table, and if you watch my Instagram stories and my YouTube videos, you will see how it is used every single day of the school year.

So, when our preschool acquired an overhead projector, I wondered if it would be loved as much as the light table.

In fact, it took me awhile to introduce the overhead projector because I honestly didn’t think it would be much of a hit.

I was wrong.

Not only did my toddlers and preschoolers have fun with it, but they were engaged for quite awhile. We even added it to a circle time activity!

If you have access to an overhead projector, please share it with your children and watch their joy as they explore light and color!

Exploring Light and Color in the Classroom

When I thought about how I was going to introduce the overhead projector, I wanted it to include lots of color since it was during our rainbow theme.

I didn’t want it to be overwhelming, so I started with our favorite translucent blocks.

Supplies

• Overhead projector
• Translucent blocks (or something similar)

Setting Up this Activity

I decided to introduce the overhead projector during our free-choice centers time.

I placed it on the floor, facing a white blank wall and added a bin of translucent blocks.

Introducing the Projector

The first part of our preschool morning is centers time, so as the children arrive they can move to any center they wish.

At first the children didn’t approach the overhead projector as they didn’t understand how it worked. In fact, they probably assumed it was something for us adults since they hadn’t seen it before.

I sat beside the projector and put a few blocks on the projector. That created some interest and a few children wandered over to see what I was doing.

I invited them to add more blocks, which they did.

However, because they are used to a light table, they weren’t paying attention to what was happening on the wall until I pointed it out.

Even then, it took them awhile to understand that what was on the surface of the projector was also being illuminated on the wall.

Eventually, however, they got it and started walking up to the wall, noticing how the colors would then show on their bodies (which they thought was pretty funny).

True to toddler and preschool style, the children then stacked the blocks until they toppled over, noticing what was also taking place on the wall.

Circle Time Activity

I decided to use my favorite color paddles for a circle time activity. (I have extra sets so that I had enough for everyone.)

I handed each child a paddle and when I called their name, they placed their paddle on the overhead projector and we all looked at where it illuminated on the wall and said what color the paddle was.

This was a fun way to work on color recognition using the overhead projector!

So, if someone gifts you with an overhead projector, or if you find a deal at a garage sale or thrift store, give these ideas a try!

More Fun Activities

• A Week’s Worth of Color Activities
• Fine Motor Activities that Also Work on Color Skills
• Shapes and Colors Theme Ideas