Children across the country are placing rainbows in the windows of their houses to help boost morale during the coronavirus outbreak. The rainbows are used to create a ‘Rainbow Trail’ to entertain children as they go on their daily walks with their parents.
We are going to be making lots of rainbows this week. Not only will we stick them in our window, but we will use them in our Maths activities.
Resources
- Coloured craft tape
- Scissors
- Paper or card
Method
Ioan didn’t need any explanation with this activity. As soon as he saw the resources I’d set out, he said. “We’re either going to make rainbows or butterflies.”
When I explained about the Rainbow Trail, they were excited to take part.
They cut strips of craft tape to various sizes, to make the arches of the rainbow. Ioan decided to start from the outside arch and Finn worked from the inside out. Finn cut the first three colours out independently, but then he started getting in a bit of a sticky tangle as the pieces of tape got longer.
We made a deal that from the yellow arch onwards, we would alternate cutting colours. I cut out the yellow tape, while he prepared his orange tape. It helped void him getting disheartened by falling too far behind big brother.
Ioan was very particular about getting his arches curved, not easy with straight tape. I left him to solve the problem independently. Finn quickly worked out a method for cutting tape, he cut one long strip, two small strips and two medium length strips.
You could hear a pin drop during this activity as they were both completely absorbed.
Finishing off their rainbows:
Finn decided to add a sun and rain cloud, “Because you can’t make a rainbow without sunshine and rain!” He used paint sticks for the sun and cloud, then strips of tape for the rain.
Ioan used small strips of tape to make a sunset, “A rainbow is very pretty and so is a sunset. It would be very special to see both at the same time.”
DfES Early Learning Goals (2017)
Physical development
ELG 04 – Moving and handling:
Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They handle equipment and tools effectively.
Expressive arts and design
ELG 16 – Exploring and using media and materials:
Children safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
DfES Outcomes for EYFS and National Curriculum (2013)
Art and design
Key Stage 1 Programme of study
- use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
- use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
- develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
