We continue our series of excerpts of Albert’s lesson plans for students from Chapter II of A Color Notation, the 1905 book that introduces the Munsell color order system using the three dimensions of color, HUE, VALUE, and CHROMA to define and differentiate color.

Part II of this book provides a course of study for teachers from first to ninth grade. The lessons are derived from a series of lectures given by Albert at the Normal Art School at UMASS.  

In first and second grade, children are taught about basic and intermediary HUES. In third grade, they move on to learn about the term value and how to find light, middle and dark values using crayons and in objects.  

THIRD GRADE LESSONS

1. Review sequence of ten hues.

2. Recognize, name, match, imitate, write, and find them on the…

3. color sphere. Also in objects.

4. Teach use of term value. Color value recognized apart from color hue.

5. Find values of red, lighter and darker than the…

6. middle value already familiar.

7. Three values of red. Find on sphere. Name as light, middle, and dark values of red.

8. Imitate with crayons, and write them as 3, 5, and 7.

9. Find values of yellow. Compare with above.

10. Recognize, name, match, and imitate with crayons.

11. Find values of green. Compare, and treat as above

12. Find on sphere and in objects.

13. Find values of blue. Compare, and treat as above.

14. Find on sphere and in objects.

15. Find values of purple. Compare and treat as above.

16. Find on sphere and in objects.  

17-20. Review, combining two values and a single hue for design.

Aim —To recognize a sequence combining three values and five middle hues. To name, match, imitate, and arrange them.

Posted by Albert Munsell.