CU 4.13Prisms and Rainbows

1. 1

   Lay the white paper on a sunny windowsill.

2. 2

   Hold the prism in the sunlight and turn it slowly until a band of colors appears on the paper.

3. 3

   Say: 'The light from the sun looks white, but it has many colors in it. The prism spreads them out.'

4. 4

   Name the colors from one end: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet.

5. 5

   Invite the child to hold the prism and find the rainbow.

6. 6

   Set the glass of water on the sill and look for a rainbow on the paper below it.

7. 7

   Compare the colors with the rainbow color card.

What catches the child’s eye

• A band of colors suddenly appearing on the white paper as the prism turns
• The colors always lining up in the same order

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Make a rainbow outside with a fine hose spray, standing with the sun behind you
2. Look at a real rainbow after a storm and say the colors in order
3. Find rainbow colors in a bubble or on a CD
4. Order color tablets in rainbow order