Rainbows

With the spring skies alternating between rain and sun, discover the science and beauty of the light spectrum with rainbow activities. Each of these activities meets a variety of state and national standards for technology and core subject areas.

Grades K-2
Read students a book about rainbows, such as All the Colors of the Rainbow or The Rainbow and You. As a class, discuss what the book says about light, and when and how rainbows appear in the sky. Then have students use Graphics software to draw a diagram of themselves seeing a rainbow in the sky. The diagram should include proper placement of themselves, the sun, rain or moisture, and the rainbow.
EasyTech units: Beginning Graphics

Grades 3-5
Have students work in groups of four. First, they should use the Web to research rainbows, including how light works and how rainbows are formed. Next, the groups should use Word Processing software to write up an experiment that they could perform at school to create a rainbow. The experiment write-up should include: Hypothesis, Materials Needed, and Steps. Have students perform their experiments in class, and detail the results in a Conclusion.
EasyTech units: Web Browsing Basics, Presentation Basics, Word Processing

Grades 6-8
Often, the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else! Have students use the Web for research and then use Presentation software to create a multimedia presentation designed to teach a younger grade about rainbows. Instruct students to pay attention to their audience when creating the presentation, and to include basic information about light, scientific principles behind rainbows, and interesting facts. If possible, have students share their presentations with a younger grade.
EasyTech units: Web Browsing, Presentation Software