Classroom color

I’ve read through and stashed away tons of information on this topic. Give me a couple of days to sort through it to find what maybe most applicable and how you can look through it for yourself on the net… and come Sunday -I’ll have something for you.

Bill

While research seems to have shown that some colors are more soothing and/or pleasing than others, I don’t think your interest in the color or the wonderful nature mural you’re thinking of can adversely your students’ learning. I think we learn best when we feel comfortable and secure in our surroundings. Murals on walls please most people and contribute to them feeling comfortable. In the very large city near to where I live, they paint huge murals on the sides of buildings and everyone comments on them and how nice it is to be visited with the great colors on the otherwise drab sides of buildings.

Classrooms are usually painted in drab ‘nobody would notice’ colors. I think your mural and your green would be soothingly lovely and very encouraging of learning. If choosing the exact shade of green is hard, maybe consult with the art teacher in your school or any friend you have who seems to have a good sense of color. Some of the paint companies eg. Finneran and Haley have designers you can call and get color advice for free.

Good luck.

:D For better or worse here ya go.

Color Matters (This may be the best first stop for you, it’s indorsed by the S.F. Exploratorium. )
http://www.colormatters.com/entercolormatters.html
This is a big site with loads of information from, neuro, and cultural to personal interpretation translations of color perception, meaning and symbolism. There are articles on various effects of color; e.g.
“The Effects of Color in Classrooms and Learning Example: What colors attract children’s attention. “
“Color and food matters: Can color suppress your appetite?”
“Can PINK make strong men weak? Find out about how it’s used in jail cells and football locker rooms.”

You will even find a Users Bulletin Board!!!
The Effects of Color in Classrooms and Learning
http://www.colormatters.com/bubdarc12-educate.html
http://www.colormatters.com/brain.html
…………………..
If you want to read and experience (web wise) classic Bauhaus color interaction examples and theory, this is a good initial source.
Brown College’s opening page of a fine interactive description of color theory; this site also has links to other sites that describe color phenomenon. .
http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs092/VA10/HTML/

Itten’s & Albers color theory with plates.
http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs092/VA10/HTML/AlbersExplanation.html

Goethe’s color wheel: this has a interactive Java appalet that describes - in a 3D model what Itten and Albers classify as:
The contrast of extension (Contrast of Proportion.) The contrast of saturation. The contrast of light and dark. The contrast of complements. The contrast of warm and cool. The contrast of hue. Simultaneous contrast. http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs092/VA10/HTML/GoethesTriangle.html

Also:………..
A kids site on Color/Art that is fun. This site also has sections that cover things like math and history.
FactMonster
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0882838.html

Frankly,
Sara has the best set of suggestions; sometimes it’s best not to “over think” some things that we feel -follow your intuitively feelings - suspicions are that they are the best direction ( unless you have to justify it to a micromanaging administrator…) :?
If you will go with the mural idea, I’ll lend something I learned form Mai-mai Sze’s selections from “The Mustard Seed Garden Book,” (1679.) If you draw a pathway, or a roadway that goes behind a hill or mountain, also draw a pathway or roadway that comes from the other side of the mountain. May be one of those little things that turns into a biggie with out conscious acknowledgement.

Have Fun
Bill