Curated OER
Rainbow Writing
Students examine how to use a rainbow picture as a graphic organizer through the use of color-coding. They produce a writing piece using this graphic organizer. They expand their writing from simple paragraphs to multi-paragraph stories.
Curated OER
The Wonderful World of Colors
First graders imagine what life would look like in one color, then many. They play a game with colored cards where students call out the names of colors. They match colored cards with objects of same color. They read "The Color Box."
Curated OER
Over the Rainbow with Isaac Newton
Second graders study rainbows and do an interdisciplinary assignment that includes poetry and a science experiment.
Alabama Learning Exchange
How Are Rainbows Created?
Students describe how the sun's rays produce colors. They describe how water causes the sun's rays of light to bend, producing a rainbow.
Curated OER
The Bending and Bouncing of Light
Students differentiate reflection and refraction. In this physics lesson, students perform a series of experiment on light behavior. They decipher the secret message provided by teacher.
Curated OER
Rainbow in a Baggie
Students create rainbows in a bag. In this art activity, students create rainbows using cornstarch, water, sugar and food coloring.
Curated OER
Painting a Rainbow
First graders discuss the story of Noah an the Rainbow. They then open Appleworks 5 to select painting and pencil and practice drawing lines to make a rainbow. They use pencil to print their name and type or print a promise on the page...
Curated OER
Enlightening Explorations, Part III
Sixth graders continue their examination of light. In groups, they make rainbows and examine the spectrum of visible light. They travel between various stations recording their observations about the behaviors of light. To end the...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Atmospheric Optics Concepts
This physics department site features an indexing page for a variety of pages pertaining to atmospheric optics. Topics include rainbows, halos, auroras, mirages, star twinkling, sunsets, green flashes, coronas, and more. Excellent...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Color Vision
An interactive simulation that teaches about photons, monochromatic light, white light, and rainbows through changing wavelengths, beams, filters, and color combinations. This simulation can either be downloaded or played online and...
Other
Tooter4kids: Light and Color
You'll find a wealth of resources at this site dedicated to color! Easy-to-read discussions can be found on topics ranging from the science of light to complementary colors and the color wheel. All special terms are highlighted and...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Iii
This lesson contains the following labs: Rainbows, Refraction with Prisms, and What Color Is It? Students will study light by reading various nonfiction texts and viewing a video lesson. Then students will engage in the following labs:...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: About Rainbows
This site from the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research provides an illustrated article about the phenomenon of rainbows.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Coffee Filter Rainbows
Science experiment that demonstrates chromotography. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what happens with different colors when they are soaked with water.
Curated OER
Weather Dude: Rainbows
Informational site allows users to discover what makes a rainbow. Discover how they form and learn some interesting facts about them along the way.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Make a Rainbow
Make a rainbow by changing angles and placement of the observer, the sun, and the rain.
NASA
Nasa: Sci Jinks: What Causes a Rainbow?
Find out whatever you wanted to know about rainbows and how they form. Check out the section on folklore regarding rainbows too.
NASA
Sci Jinks: Rainbow Simulation
Play around with the variables involved in rainbows. We know we usually see rainbows following a rain shower. What's the science behind it? Find out with this interactive.
Read Works
Read Works: The Whys of Weather the Colors of the Rainbow
[Free Registration/Login Required] A Native American legend explaining the origin of rainbows. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: April Showers
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about rain, thunderstorms, and rainbows in the spring. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: What Causes Rainbows?
An experiment to demonstrate how to make a rainbow and why they form.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Rainbow Formation
Understand the physics behind Roy G. Biv, and how rainbows are formed by drawing upon our understanding of refraction, internal reflection, and dispersion.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Crafts for Kids
Choose from dozens of simple crafts including activities for the holidays, animal crafts and much more.