Rainbow Day

Objective:
The students will mix the primary colors to create the colors in a rainbow.

Materials

• Red, yellow, and blue paint

• paintbrushes

• paper

• trays or containers for mixing paint

Procedure

1. Have a discussion on how all the 7 colors in the rainbow can be created from the three primary colors, red, blue, and yellow.

2. Allow each student to have access to the primary colors of paint, a paintbrush, and water.  Have the students explore mixing the colors to create the other 4 colors needed to complete the rainbow.

3. Once the colors are mixed, the students may paint a rainbow of their own.

Other Lesson Ideas

1. Create a whole class rainbow using any variety of mediums - torn tissue paper, sponge painting, etc.  Make the rainbow large to be displayed in the classroom or hallway.

2. Since rainbows in nature are transparent, have the students work with water colors to paint transparent looking rainbows.