Fourth graders discover that a rainbow is sunlight and raindrops working together, and learn the order of steps from the sun shining to the arc of colors appearing, then put the steps in order.
Students will be able to…
A rainbow appears when the sun comes out while rain is still falling, turning white sunlight into a band of colors. What are the steps that make a rainbow?
Project this and put the steps of how a rainbow forms in order — tap each one from the sun shining to the arc of colors.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A rainbow appears when the sun comes out while rain is still falling. White sunlight somehow turns into a band of colors in the sky. What are the steps that make a rainbow?
Students put the rainbow steps in order.
Students follow light through a drop.
Students diagram a rainbow.
Students reflect on rainbows.
Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core literacy. State-standard crosswalks available on request.
Show that objects can be seen when light reaches the eye.
Describe that objects are seen when light reflected from them enters the eye.
Developing and using a model to explain how something works.
Explain steps or events in a text, including what happens and why.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students draw the sun, a raindrop, and an eye, add arrows for the light, and label where it splits into colors, so the hidden path of light makes sense. A printable rainbow worksheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.