Cinderella Dramatic Colors

When it comes to learning about character traits, incorporating fairy tales is one of the most fun ways to do it. Most teachers turn to a worksheet for character traits; however, doing it through art is better than using a worksheet. Keep reading to find out how I used a classic fairy tale to teach my students about character traits.

Why Use Art to Teach the Concept of Character Traits

First and foremost, in order for students to enjoy what they are learning, they need to be able to connect with it. Using art to teach a concept like character traits (instead of worksheets) allows them to do just that.

Art in this aspect also has a way of creating a higher level of engagement, which also has longer and stronger retention. This is especially beneficial when students need to comprehend concepts and memorize them for other subjects.

How to Use Cinderella Dramatic Colors to Teach Character Traits

For this particular art project, I had the students use a code to connect colors with different traits:

• Red - anger, power, aggression, danger, passion, violence

• Pink - innocence, happy, content, feminine

• Yellow - dishonest, betrayal, jealousy, deceit

• Orange - flamboyant, vibrant, energy awareness, unchanging nature

• Green - proud, inexperience, self-aware

• Purple - royalty, nobility, wisdom, wealth

• Brown - materialistic, sensation

• White - protection, purity, peace, good

• Black - power, mystery, fear, unhappiness, evil

• Gold - riches, wealth, grandeur

• Silver - elegant, riches, glamorous

Having this color code, students then had to use the code to determine what colors to use in their artwork. Sometimes they had to think of synonyms to be able to figure out which trait should connect to the different colors.

Using a chart method, they noted the different traits of characters. Then, they had to bring these character traits to life through their artwork. They also used a quote from the story to help illustrate their character.

Final Thoughts

Doing this art project provides you with a way to give your students a way to combine the arts with ELA in a way that is low-pressure yet very engaging. Make it even more engaging by doing a show-and-tell and hanging the finished product in your classroom or in a hallway display.

I’m Amanda, and I align standards and integrate content to help teachers meet the needs of the Whole Child in art class! I have yet to find a standard that I couldn’t teach through art, and I want to share it all with you.

Not sure where to start with bringing art and content together? This freebie guide is packed with 25 ideas to align your art lessons with math and ELA standards. Your students will be crafting art and practicing algebraic thinking. Win-win!

I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.

Follow along on my Instagram page for more tips on teaching the Whole Child in the art room!

Connecting art and content together doesn’t have to be mind-boggling. I’ve made it simple with 25 math and ELA art lesson starters - for free! Plus, I included 15 worksheets for students to reflect on their art-making journey.