Weaving It Together

UNIT 1
CD 1
Track 1
Chapter
1
16 Unit 1
Color Me Pink
The readings and activities in this unit
describe some hidden meanings associated
with certain colors and numbers. Some
of our beliefs about colors and numbers
are thousands of years old. Here are some
interesting facts about colors:
• The room where people wait before
appearing on TV shows is usually
painted green because studies have
shown that the color green helps people
feel calm and relaxed.
• Yellow is the hardest color for the eye to
take in, and babies have been found to
cry more in rooms painted yellow.
• Pink has been shown to tranquilize
people. Sports teams sometimes paint the
locker room used by the opposing team
pink so that the team will lose energy.
Warm-Up
Symbols
You may start the lesson in one of these ways:
• Have students look at the symbols
on the unit opener page. The symbol
on the upper left—a rod entwined
by a snake with a mortar and pestle
and prescription symbol—signifi es a
pharmacy and medicine. The rod comes
from the magic rod of Hermes, the Greek
messenger of the gods. The symbol on
the top right represents poison. The
symbol on the lower left signifi es peace.
The one on the lower right signifi es the
passage of time. The symbols in the
middle refer to recycling and e-mail.
Have students think of some symbols
that are used in their country. Then ask
students to defi ne the word symbol. (A
symbol is something that expresses an
idea without using words.)
• Ask students to stand up and form
groups according to the main color of the
clothing they are wearing that day. Point
out different parts of the room where
those wearing mostly green, blue, pink,
etc., can gather. Ask students to discuss
among themselves how the color they
are wearing makes them feel. After a few
minutes, invite the groups to share their
fi ndings with the class.
• Write the following color names on the
board: black, white, green, yellow. Ask
different students to tell the class about
any special signifi cance each color has
for people in their culture or for them
personally. Compare the meanings each
color has for different cultural groups
and individuals.
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