Simple Solutions for Difficulties Arising with "Color by Code" Printables

Hello visitors!  Yesterday a wrote a blog post about seven strategies for using "Color by Number" (or "Color by Code").  You can read it HERE.  Today I'm going to address ten common classroom challenges that come with "Color by Code" printable pages.  I'll offer a few easy solutions to those difficulties as well.  Best of all, there's a "Color by Code" freebie for beginners.  Scroll down to the end of this post to get the free download.

Below is a list of the challenges (and their solutions) that can occur with "Color by Code" printable sheets.

1.  Insufficient Materials.  The crayon colors necessary to complete the pages are missing.

      Solution:  Use the "Color by Code" sheets as a station area instead of a whole class activity.  Supply JUST the crayon colors needed to complete the printable at the station.  Children will waste time rummaging through tons of crayons if too many are provided.

2.  Material Depletion.  Coloring the "Color by Code" sheets have caused crayons to become worn out!
     Solution:  Don't use crayons that are pristine.  Collect old crayons and make them the ones that are to be used for large coloring projects. 

3.  Disproportionate Students' Finishing Time.  Some students are coloring too heavily which is making the task take too long!
     Solution:  Model the manner in which to color.  Emphasize the technique of coloring LIGHTLY or GENTLY without much pressure put on the paper.

4.  Low Homework Return Rate.  A "Color by Code" page was assigned for homework and only 50% of the class returned the work.
     Solution:  Don't assign "Color by Code" sheets as a homework assignment!  As educators, we don't know what materials are available at home.  A child that is missing one crayon color will not be able to complete the work.  If you are not sending home the needed crayons the day the work is assigned, don't make "Color by Code" a homework assignment.  The Math Facts Color by Number Addition and Subtraction product that I created can be used as a math station activity or with summer review materials.

5.  Color Confusion  Some students can become preoccupied with the shades of any given color.  They will constantly ask you which crayon they should use within the same color family.  
    Solutions:  Tell the children that you are looking forward to viewing their varied results.  Once in a while a "Color by Code" sheet may have two shades of the same color.  A good way to term these are to say, "light blue", "dark blue", "light green", "dark green" and so forth.  Don't make it more complicated than that!  You could also allow the children to test the colors on a scratch piece of paper to find the shade they desire to use.

6.  Color Blindness.  Children that have a form of color blindness may not know they're using the wrong colors.
    Solution:  Accept the work as is.  Encourage the student to read the labels on the crayons to determine the correct color.     

7.  Mistakes Can't be Erased.  Students make mistakes and they can't erase the crayon colors!  You might have spent time assisting a child with trying to scrape off the crayon wax in order for a mistake to be colored over with another crayon color.  It's frustrating for both the teacher and the child! 
     Solutions:  Have students color a small portion of each section and then require them to check their work again before completing the coloring.  Alternatively, have them write the answers in each section with a pencil.  Then check their work yourself before allowing them to color.  Sometimes it's easier for a child to start over.  Keep extra copies of each sheet on hand with this in mind.

8.  Student Misreads the Code/Key.  A student has misinterpreted the code/key and has colored an entire section the wrong color.
     Solution:  Alter the key on the child's paper so that it matches his/her work.  View the photo below.  The flower is colored purple instead of pink.  The word pink has been crossed out and the word purple has been written below.  The teacher has caused the exemplar to become accurate.

 

9.  Inaccurate Student Evaluation of Concepts/Skills.  Some students will be able to identify the picture and the color pattern without solving the facts.  They're coloring accurately but not because they understood the work.
     Solution:  Use the "Color by Code" printables as practice, reinforcement, and summer review.  Don't use them as an evaluation tool for concepts or skills.

10.  Mechanics of "Color by Code" Are Not Understood.  While students may be proficient in basic addition and subtraction facts, they don't necessarily know how to complete a "Color by Code" sheet.  They may not understand how to use the key.  It may also be the first time they've used a "Color by Code" sheet.
     Solution:  Use a very basic "Color by Code" printable (such as the one shown below) as an introduction for them.

I hope this post will give you some additional insights on how to overcome the challenges that can take place with "Color by Code" printables.  

Grab a freebie and get your beginners started with "Color by Code"!  Click the image below to get the freebie.

Copyright 2017, Molly McMahon

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