1 Activity 1: What’s Your True Color?
Estimated time: 50 minutes
Objectives:
Students will be able to
- Evaluate and discuss their personalities using the True Colors personality test
- Compare their traits to those of their classmates and share differences in personality and learning styles
- Analyze the True Colors and determine the areas of strength for each
Materials
- True Colors test handout
- Colored paper in green, blue, orange, and yellow/gold
Activity
Part 1: Self-assessment: True Colors
Think about this question and write down your answer
- How would you describe your personality to someone you just met?
- What do you think they should know about you?
- Try to avoid physical descriptions and think more about who you are and what you like to do.
Talk about your answer in class.
Hand out True Colors test. This test is an opportunity to learn about your own personality. Most of us think we know ourselves well, but there may be surprises. You’ll also learn to understand other people in the class. We’re going to spend a lot of time together this term and work together closely at times. The True Colors test is a good way to share information about who we are and learn about our classmates.
Take the assessment. Do the first row together and make sure everyone understands the instructions. It’s very important that every row has a 4, 3, 2, 1 (it’s a common mistake!). Define any unfamiliar vocabulary. When you have completed all five rows, add up your score using the directions at the bottom.
The color where you got the highest score is your True Color. It’s okay if you have two top scores that are the same. Look at the descriptions of each True Color on page 3. Which traits describe you? Are there any that don’t fit your personality? Now, look at the descriptions for your second-highest color. Your top two colors should form a clear picture of your personality.
Part 2: Talking about Your Color
Instructor: Ask students to choose two or three bullet points from the lists on page 3 of the True Colors handout that they feel describes them well. I like to help students remember the traits of each color by associating them with body parts:
- Blue: heart (caring, compassionate, relationship-oriented)
- Green: head (analytical, curious, always thinking)
- Orange: feet (active, kinesthetic, athletic)
- Gold: hands (hard-working, organized, stable)
What True Color (or color combination) would you expect to be dominant in the following professions? (students can list more professions)
- Athlete
- Nurse
- Scientist
- Accountant
- Pre-school teacher
- School principal
- Computer programmer
- Actor
Part 3: Working with the True Colors
In most groups, you’re going to have to work with people with different viewpoints than you.
Imagine you are involved with a team of people in charge of completing the following project. Your team includes all four True Colors. Work with a partner and determine a) what tasks are involved in each project and b) which True Color(s) would be best at each task.
- Planning a party (sample tasks may include finding a place to have the party, making food, planning the music, inviting guests, etc.)
- Working on a group presentation
- Organizing a soccer league
- Starting a book club
- Climbing a mountain
- Preparing for a zombie attack
- Planning a trip to the beach
- Raising money for a school trip
Part 4: Reflection
Write a paragraph answering the following questions:
- We are all a combination of True Colors, but one or two are usually dominant. What is your True Color/s and what do they mean?
- Did your True Colors traits match what you think your personality is? Why or why not? Which did and which didn’t?
- Do you wish you had some traits that you don’t?
- Why is it important to learn about yourself? Why is it important to learn about your classmates? How does this help your classroom culture and community?
