GET READY TO PAINT – Setting up Washable Tempera Paint Kits

Step One

PREPARE

Before beginning a painting unit with your students organize these paint kits to make distribution of materials and cleanup easier.

1. You will need 9 small containers with snap-on lids for each basket.
   - One basket can be shared comfortably with 6 students.
2. Pour each colour of paint into a container and snap the lid tight. 
   - Red        - Violet        - Magenta
   - Blue       - Green       - White
   - Yellow   - Orange     - Black

Step Two

ASSEMBLE

1. You will need 1 basket for each group of 6 students and 1 extra basket for black paint tubs.
   - Small mesh baskets available in most dollar stores are perfect for holding all the requirements of the paint kits. 
2. Place one tub of each colour except black into each basket.
   - Depending on the skill level of your students do not include black in the kit, but make it available for students who request it.
   - Often students end up mixing too much black with other colours so everything becomes muddy. 

Step Three

1. Place 8 plastic spoons into each paint kit - one for each tub of paint.
2. Place all the black paint tubs in a basket along with a spoon for each tub.
3. Stack the kits for easy storage.
   - The baskets are small enough to fit on a regular classroom bookshelf and do not take up much room.

Step Four

1. Prior to the painting lesson place the following into each basket:
   - 6 pieces of paper towel or reusable cloth 
   - 6 paper plates for palettes 
   - 6 water containers - The small plastic containers you get in a grocery store for such things as olives work very well. Having shallow water containers means fewer spills. Having containers that are all the same size means it is easier to keep your storage area tidy and workable. 

Step Five

ESTABLISH ROUTINES  

1. Prior to beginning the painting lesson arrange the desks in groups of 6.
2. Cover the tables with newspaper. 
   - This keeps the tables clean and provides a space to try out paint colours and techniques.
3. Place a variety of different sized paintbrushes at each group.
4. Ask students to number off.
5. Give each table a clean-up sheet that indicates the job each number must do. (Downloads - CleanUpRoles.pdf)
6. Review each job so that students will know exactly what they have to do as soon as you call clean-up. Be specific.
   - Hands up if you are number 3 and 4? Your job is to wash the brushes and return them to the bucket at the back of the room.
7. Ask one student from each table to get a paint kit for their table.
8. Explain that this student will be responsible for returning the kit in good condition at the end of the lesson.
9. Remind students that you expect them to remember their job and to do it as soon as you call clean-up at the end of the class.

Step Six

1. Demonstrate how to use the spoon to take a small amount of paint and put it on the palette.
   - Using a spoon usually helps to keep the paint clean.
   ​- Paint often gets mixed with other colours when using a paintbrush to dip into the paint pot.
2. Remind students that they can always take more paint if they run out. A little goes a long way!

Step Seven

1. Demonstrate how to clean the brush.
   - Place the brush in the water and swish it around to remove the paint.
   - Repeat a few times to remove the paint
   - Drag the bristles over the edge of the water container to remove most of the water.

Step Eight

1. Demonstrate how to squeeze the water out of the bristles of the paintbrush using a piece of paper towel or reusable cloth.
   - Encourage students to do this each time they change a colour.