National Find a Rainbow Day is a perfect opportunity to engage your upper elementary students in a day of exploration, creativity, and learning centered around the fascination of rainbows. This blog post will give you many ideas and activities to make this day memorable for your students. From delving into the history and symbolism of rainbows to incorporating animated shorts, trivia, art projects, science experiments, and creative writing, these activities will help you create an educational experience for your class.
Be sure to get the handout. It includes the printables you need to complete some of the activities.
Find a Rainbow Day Activities
Activity #1: Exploring the History and Symbolism
To kick off your National Find a Rainbow Day, introduce your students to the history and symbolism behind rainbows by reading the short article in the “Student Packet” of the handout.
Activity #2: Rainbow Trivia Challenge
Engage your students in a fun and educational trivia game focused on rainbows. Divide your class into teams. Have them compete to answer the questions from the trivia cards correctly, earning points for their team. This activity reinforces knowledge about rainbows and encourages teamwork and friendly competition. Twelve questions for this activity can be found in the handout.
Activity #3: Comparing Three Iconic Songs
In this activity, students will analyze and contrast three songs that symbolize rainbows. Students will deepen their understanding of these timeless classics by exploring each song’s themes, lyrics, and musical styles.
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was written for “The Wizard of Oz” and has become a timeless symbol of hope and dreams.
- “Rainbow Connection” is a beloved song from “The Muppet Movie,” carrying themes of connection, meaning, and belief in possibilities.
- “Rainbow” by Liz Huett, featured in the film “Ballerina” (or “Leap!”), embodies empowerment and celebrating one’s true colors.
Instruction Activities
Be sure to download the handout for the printables and links needed to complete this activity. The handout also contains a link to the editable Google Slide version of this activity.
Introduce each song with the background information provided. Then, have students watch the music videos on YouTube. Next, students complete the provided “Chart 1 – Song Analysis” to identify the key themes, messages, and emotions conveyed in the lyrics and “Chart 2 – Musical Style” to find similarities or differences in the musical styles. Encourage students to examine each song’s lyrics while completing the charts closely.
Extension Activity 1:
Have students use the information collected on the charts to write a compare-and-contrast essay.
Extension Activity 2:
Have students visually represent their preferred song, such as a collage, poster, or digital artwork. They can incorporate the themes, symbols, and lyrics to showcase their interpretation of the song’s meaning and feeling.
Activity #4: Rainbow Science
Integrate hands-on science experiments to deepen your students’ understanding of the scientific principles behind rainbows. Here are a few experiments you can try:
Rainbow Reflection:
Set up a water basin, a flashlight, and a mirror. Fill the basin with water and position it so that sunlight passes through it and reflects onto the mirror, creating a rainbow. Discuss the science behind refraction and reflection.
Rainbow Density:
Use a tall, transparent container and carefully layer different liquids of varying densities (such as water, oil, and syrup). Observe how the different densities create distinct layers and discuss the science behind them. Shine a light source to see if you can observe a rainbow-like effect.
Rainbow Chromatography:
Cut strips of coffee filter paper and use washable markers to make a line of different colors near the bottom of each strip. Dip the bottom of each strip into the water and observe the colors spreading and separating, creating a rainbow effect.
Rainbow Science:
The video is part of the “SciShow Kids” series on YouTube. The video explains how rainbows are formed and what causes them. It also includes some fun facts about rainbows, such as how they were once considered bridges between Earth and the heavens. The video is a great way to learn about the science behind rainbows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k85eD_tQZo
Activity #5: Great Websites for National Find a Rainbow Day
These websites provide interactive and educational resources that can enhance your students’ learning experience about rainbows. They offer a combination of informative content, engaging visuals, and interactive features to make the exploration of rainbows both fun and educational.
National Geographic Kids (Website): National Geographic Kids offers a range of articles, videos, and interactive features about rainbows. Students can explore the science behind rainbows, learn fascinating facts, and engage in interactive quizzes and games.
PBS LearningMedia (Website): PBS LearningMedia offers educational videos, interactive lessons, and resources related to rainbows. Teachers can find engaging content to supplement their lessons, giving students a deeper understanding of rainbows and their significance.
BrainPOP (Website and App): BrainPOP offers educational videos, quizzes, and interactive activities on various subjects, including rainbows. Students can watch animated videos that explain the science behind rainbows and complete interactive quizzes to reinforce their understanding.
Activity #6: Greek Mythology – Goddess of Rainbows
Have students read the short passage in the “Student Packet” that provides information about the goddess associated with rainbows from Greek mythology, Iris. After reading the article, have students draw a picture of Iris on the Greek vase based on her description.
Activity #7: Figurative Phrases about Rainbows
Have students match the cards with the sentences that use figurative phrases including the word rainbow to the correct meanings of the phrase. These cards can also be used in various matching games, such as Memory.
Activity #8: Rainbow Art Projects
Engage students in various art projects that revolve around rainbows. They can create rainbow collages using colored construction paper, draw or paint pictures of rainbows, or even make rainbow-inspired crafts using different materials like beads, yarn, or tissue paper. The “Student Packet” includes coloring pages. Use these as rewards for game winners, in a center, or early finishers.
Activity #9: Find a Rainbow Day Snacks
Explore the colors of the rainbow through a healthy snack activity. Ask students to bring fruits and vegetables in different shades of the rainbow, such as strawberries, oranges, bananas, kiwis, blueberries, grapes, and carrots. Create a rainbow snack platter or salad, and enjoy the colorful and nutritious treat as a class.
Activity #10: Animated Short Rainbow Crow/Crow
“Rainbow Crow” is a Lenape legend that symbolizes the value of selflessness and service. According to the legend, after a long period of cold weather, animals of the world community become worried. They send a messenger to the Great Sky Spirit for relief from the extended cold. The Rainbow Crow, the most beautifully feathered bird, offers to make the difficult journey.
Choose between the extended 20-minute animation directed by Eric Darnell and produced by Baobab Studios titled “Crow” or the 3-minute condensed version titled “Rainbow Crow.”
Crow – I have a post dedicated to the 20-minute version with printables to complete with your students. You can find it here.
This link takes you to the 3-minute animated short: Rainbow Crow
National Find a Rainbow Day provides a remarkable opportunity to engage your upper elementary students in a day filled with wonder, creativity, and learning. By exploring history, watching animated shorts, participating in trivia, analyzing music, engaging in art projects, conducting science experiments, and encouraging creative writing, you can create a truly memorable experience for your students. Celebrate the magic and beauty of rainbows, fostering their curiosity, imagination, and appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
