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.
Starfall
Starfall: Rainbow, Rainbow
This interactive nonfiction ebook focuses on the colors in the rainbow. Children can choose to read independently or listen to each sentence read to them.
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.
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Rainbow Milk
This activity is designed for students to learn that primary colors mixed together make secondary colors. They will also experiment with how fat and soap molecules repel each other in water.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Quantum Dots and Colors
Students are introduced to the physical concept of the colors of rainbows as light energy in the form of waves with distinct wavelengths, but in a different manner than traditional kaleidoscopes. Looking at different quantum dot...
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.
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...
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Release the Rainbow
A simple activity to demonstrate how light separates into colors when it passes through water acting as a prism.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Color Vision
Make a whole rainbow by mixing red, green, and blue light. Change the wavelength of a monochromatic beam or filter white light. View the light as a solid beam, or see the individual photons.
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All Media: Light and Color
Why do we see certain colors? This interactive animation demonstrates the concept of the visible spectrum, and how we see the different colors of the rainbow.
ABCya
Ab Cya: Molly's Magic Adventure
Join Molly on her magical adventure in search of the rainbow! Children will get to choose what path Molly takes, as well as other fun things along the way in this interactive create-your-own adventure activity.
York University
York University: Color and Color Vision
York University provides an index page to several other pages on the topic of color and color vision. The pages are part of an online "book." Many graphics and explanations.
Other
Learning Activities: Peace Education
This series of activities for early elementary pupils focuses on peace education. Emphasis is on our behavior and how it impacts peace.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Nutrition Apple Trivia
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart addresses the benefits of fruit in nutrition and wellness, emphasizing the benefits of the colors of the rainbow. The flipchart also provides trivia questions on all kinds of varieties of...