Colors of the Rainbow

Core Learning Experience + Supplies and Equipment

  • ​Of course the best way to spark interest in a rainbow is to see one in the sky, but if this is not possible, then make your own. Hold up a magnifier lens so that a sunray shining through the window goes through it and separates into a color spectrum. Or set a glass of water near a window so that the sun shines through the water.
  • Catch a rainbow – reflect sun from a watch face lens and make the spectrum appear in different parts of the room. Chase it.
  • Set out some crayons or chalk in each of the rainbow colors, discuss the colors and experiment with them on white paper.

Possible/Expected Discoveries

  • ​Sometimes we can see a rainbow arc in the sky, when sunshine shines though raindrops. This doesn’t happen very often. Most of the time when it rains, clouds are covering the sunshine. 
  • Sunlight looks white, but it is really made up of different colors. When the sunlight reflects off lots of raindrops (like a mirror), we can see all the colors.
  • Rainbow spectra always have the same 7 colors in the same order – they are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (deep blue) and violet. Sometimes indigo and violet are categorized together, as one color.
  • If there was sunshine and no rain, or rain and no sunshine, could we see a rainbow?

Extended Learning and Other Curriculum Areas

  • ​​Paint a rainbow on a glass door or window with thick tempera with Joy soap added.
  • Have available the 7 (or 6) colors using crepe paper streamers or curled strips of construction paper. Attach the ends to a paper plate (or similar) with staples, tape or glue. Use to dance, jump, run etc., especially outdoors.
  • Paint with liquid watercolors (on white paper) in the primary colors of blue, red and yellow. Mix them and discover new colors.
  • Blow bubbles outdoors and look for colors in the bubbles.
  • Rainbow myths (older children): leprechaun and pot of gold; bridge between heaven and earth; that a rainbow is “magic”.

Activity Packs and Printables

Websites

Books

All the Colors of the Rainbow by Allan Fowler
A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman
What Makes a Rainbow? by Betty Ann Schwartz
 I Know The Colors Of The Rainbow by Ella Jenkins