Do You Know Your Students' 'True Colors'?

Knowing the number of blues, oranges, golds, and greens in a classroom can help a teacher plan lessons and manage a class.

No, that is not part of a classroom decorating plan; these colors represent personality types determined by the True Colors system, developed by Don Lowry.

Once a student's main color has been identified, along with the character traits that go with that color, teachers can adapt their teaching to the student's learning style and personality. When students know what color their teacher is, they can better understand him or her.

Sorting out the Rainbow

The basis for True Colors is work done by David Keirsey, who adapted the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a standardized test used to identify personality types.

True Colors sorts people into four colors, although no one is exclusively one color. The system uses the following colors to represent specific personality types: Blue, Green, Gold and Orange

These are people who tend to be orderly, dependable, thrive on structure, and enjoy helping others; most teachers are golds, according to True Colors information. Gold

They are sensitive, empathetic, loyal, and enthusiastic. Blue

These are the analytical, logical, and intellectual types; they become irritated with drill and routine. Green

Generally, they are people who are active, competitive, energetic, and impulsive. They seek variety and dislike rules. Orange

People determine what their main color is by taking an assessment test. Besides having a main color, everyone has aspects of other colors, or traits, in their personalities as well.

The True Colors Program shows teachers how they can base their lessons and teaching styles on children's needs, rather than requiring that all students adjust to a teacher's personality.

Teachers should plan two or three activities in a day that engage all personality types.

Adams also uses True Colors with faculty members to help them work together better. The experience teaches staff what they can expect from different personality types and how they can react to those types.

Among the other benefits True Colors promotes tolerance and communication among people.

Students of True Colors are told to avoid "color bashing" -- blaming their own personality type or someone else's when something isn't working out.

"In order to be successful in life, you have to draw on all your colors." Kashiwa

Article by Ellen R. Delisio Education World® Copyright © 2001 Education World

What color are you? Open the “True Colours” WebQuest found in your Copy to Desktop Folder