Making Rainbows

Episode 43                                                           Planet of Light and Colour

Learning concept of the episode: Rainbows are distinctive patterns of coloured light.  To make a rainbow, you need water drops and sunlight.

Story Summary

Bing and Bong arrive on the Tiny Planet of Light and Colour, and discover a group of Flockers chasing a rain cloud.  When the cloud stops, it rains and a rainbow appears underneath, but then vanishes as another cloud appears and blocks the sun.  Bong Scurries off to a garden where Bing finds Bong playing in a sprinkler.  As a soaked Bong shakes dry, Bing sees rainbows reflected in the spray of droplets.  Bing thinks and realizes that the position of the sun in relation to the water/mist is what makes a rainbow appear!  Bing quickly sends Bong to assemble the group of Flockers.  Once the group positions itself before the sprinkler & sun, everyone can see the resulting rainbow.

Focus Early Learning Goal

Creative Development 4: Respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel.

Linked ELGs

CLL16, CLL19, KU1, KU2, KU4, P2

Preparation

• Watch the Tiny Planets episode 43 – Making Rainbows
• Read the Tiny Planets book – Making Rainbows
• Talk about what happens in the story

Talk about…..

• What happens when it is raining and the sun is shining
• What are the colours that are in a rainbow

Focus Activity

 Rainbow Names (see overleaf)

Follow-on Activities

• Revisit the book and video
• Make Rainbow Books – each page is a different colour and each page is used to add the children’s favourite things of that colour
• Investigate how rainbows are made using prisms or beakers of water on the windowsill
• Give the children coloured streamers or ribbons and make swirling movements

Title: Rainbow Names

Aim

Observing changes to ink as blotting paper is dipped in water

Resources

• Postcard sized pieces of blotting paper with children’s names  written on the top with pencil
• Black washable felt tip pens
• Large shallow tray of water to a depth of approx 1cm
• Waterproof tablecloth
• A prepared rainbow name

Guidelines

• Show the group the rainbow name. What does it look like? What colours can the children see? Can children recognise any letters?
• Explain to the children that they are each going to make a rainbow name
• Show the group how to write in black ink about 2cm from the bottom of the blotting paper rectangle and to hold the paper in the water so that the ink does not touch the water
• As the water is absorbed by the blotting paper it will travel upwards and takes the ink with it. Black dye is made up of many colours and these separate out. As this happens encourage the children to describe what they notice. Papers should be removed from the water as soon as children are happy with their rainbow names.
• The effect will continue until the paper is dry.
• Leave names on the plastic tablecloth to dry.
• Children may like to try other coloured pens.

Key Vocabulary

Colours of the felt tip pens, blotting paper, absorbs, soaks, water, rises

Health & Safety

• Encourage children to be careful and not spill water.
• Explain the dangers of slips and falls.
• Ensure that spillages are cleaned away as soon as possible.
• Use child friendly felt tips that provide safety lids, to enable the child to breathe in the event that they are swallowed. However…
• Children should be encouraged not to put felt tips in their mouths.