Nicole Salerno

Science Lesson
March 27, 2015
What is a Rainbow?
1. Overview
Title: What is a Rainbow?
Topic of the Unit/Theme: Rainbow/Weather
Teacher: Ms. Salerno
Grade: Transitional First Grade
Grouping: Whole Group
Enduring Understanding: Students will understand what a rainbow is and how it is
formed.
Materials & Technology:
o What is a Rainbow? By Chris Arvetis and Carole Palmer
o Computer
o Projector
o Any CD
o Rainbow Coloring Page
o Crayons
References/Sources
o http://buggyandbuddy.com/science-for-kids-making-rainbow-reflections/
o http://www.coloringpages4kid.com/rainbows-coloring-page/
o www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsq3DjTlKY (What is a Rainbow?)

2. Objectives/Standards/Assessment
Objective: Students will be able to learn the colors of a rainbow, understand how a
rainbow forms, and observe a rainbow.
Matching NJPTLS/NJCCCS Indicators:
o CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 - Ask and answer questions about key details in a
text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
o 5.2 Physical Science: All students will understand that physical science principles,
including fundamental ideas about matter, energy, and motion, are powerful
conceptual tools for making sense of phenomena in physical, living, and Earth
systems science.
o 5.4.F. Climate and Weather: Earths weather and climate systems are the result of
complex interactions between land, ocean, ice, and atmosphere.
Essential Questions & Expected Answers:

o What is a rainbow and how do they form? The sun makes rainbows when white
sunlight passes through raindrops. The rain drops are like tiny prisms. They bend
the different colors in white light. Sunlight is made up of different colors.
o What are the colors of a rainbow? Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and
violet.
o When can you see a rainbow? A rainbow requires water droplets to be floating in
the air. The sun must be behind you and the clouds cleared away from the sun for
the rainbow to appear.
o What happens in the water droplets? The sunlight shines on a water droplet. As
light passes into the droplet, the light bends or refracts. Then the light bounces off
the back of the water droplet and goes back the way it came.
Assessment of Student Learning:
o Pre-Assessment: Have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky? Do you know how
they form?
o Check for Understanding: Teachers will observe and monitor students as
questions are asked for comprehension and while coloring in a rainbow.
o Post-Assessment: Students will color the rainbow coloring sheet with the correct
colors and in the correct order of a rainbow.
3. Learning Experience
Introduction: Today we will be learning about rainbows. Students will sit on the rug while
I read a story called What is a Rainbow? In this story, Beaver and Parrot teach
Christopher that sunlight makes the colors of a rainbow. Students will go back to their
seats after and we will watch a video that shows how a rainbow is formed.
Input & Modeling: After the video, we will produce a rainbow by using a projector and a
CD. The light from the projector will shine through the CD and reproduce a rainbow onto
the walls and around the CD on the projector. By using the projector, all of the students
will be able to see the rainbow from their seats.
Guided Practice/Independent Practice: Students will receive a worksheet with a rainbow
on it. They will have to color in the rainbow with the correct order of colors.
Closure: When the worksheet is done, I will pass out rainbow glasses. The rainbow
glasses have a bend in them so when looking at the lights in the room, they will be able to
see a rainbow. They will take this home with them.
Adaptations/Modifications:
o Slow learners: Teachers can go through each color of the rainbow as they color in
each section. They can also receive a worksheet that has the color names written
in each space.
o Advanced Learners: Advanced learners can color the rainbow on their own
without the teachers guidance.
Extension Activities: We will go around the room. Students will have to name the colors
of the rainbow in order. For example, one student will say red. The next will say orange.

The next will say yellow and so on. If someone messes up, we will start from the
beginning until all the colors are said.
Involving Parents:
o On a sunny day, parents can spray a hose outside and check if there is a rainbow
in the spray of the water.
o Find other items at home that might cause a rainbow reflection.