Making Rainbows!

After we created our Colour Mixing Rainbow, there were lots of paint sample sheets left over, so thought the children might like to make their own rainbows.  I cut the samples sheets up so we ended up with lots of shades of each colour. 

I then needed a rainbow template, so downloaded one from the internet and enlarged it using Publisher. 

I didn't think the paper rainbow would take the weight of the colour sample sheets so transfered the rainbow onto card.

You could draw one by hand, but I do admit to being a bit of a

perfectionist!

The children then began to create their rainbows. 

They chose their own colours and were very focused on staying within the lines!

I mixed all the colours together in one pot as I wanted the children to identify the colours and this led to conversations about the different shades.  The rainbow closest is mine! I find the children are more willing to join in an activity if I am doing it and infact look at me very suspiciously if I try to get them to do something that I am not joining in!

The children decided themselves what colour they wanted each section of their rainbow to be.

At one point we started to run low on yellows.  So noticing me cutting some more, J was keen to join in this part of the activity as well and set about cutting her own. 

Almost finished!  J's interest was waining a bit at this point so we made the activity into a race - who could finish first!  Being highly competitive her rainbow was finished in no time!

After cutting all those little squares it seemed a shame just to throw the rest away, so I added them to our resource wall and the children can use them for gluing or anything else they can think of!

Links to EYFS:

PD: Using Equipment and Materials (using the scissors and glue spreaders)

CD: Exploring Media and Materials (talking about the shades of colours / selecting particular colours)