Grades 1–2
Where Does Light Come From?
Sort eight light sources into natural light and light made by people, then answer a question about the dark.
Science worksheet · Light and shadows
Colors of the Rainbow
Number the seven rainbow colors in order, fill in two sentences about prisms and raindrops, then draw a rainbow.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Light and shadows
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Light and shadows, Reflection, Light sources
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Sunlight looks white, but it is really all the colors mixed together. Raindrops and glass prisms split it into a rainbow, always in the same order.
- 1. Write 1 to 7 to put the colors in rainbow order, from the outside in.
- 3. A rainbow has colors.
- 2. Draw a rainbow and color it in order.
Words on this sheet
greenredvioletyellowblueorangeindigoprismbendsrainseven
Teacher tip
Shine sunlight through a glass of water or a prism to make a real rainbow.
How to use it
- Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to make shadows on the wall.
- Go outside at two times of day to look at shadows.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Never look straight at the sun, even with sunglasses.
Talk about it
- What makes a shadow longer or shorter?
- Where have you seen this outside of school?
Take it further
Put on a shadow puppet show with paper puppets.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More light and shadows worksheets
Grades 2–4
Track a Shadow
Measure the shadow of one object four times in a day, draw it at noon and at three, and explain the change.
Grades 2–4
Transparent, Translucent or Opaque?
Sort nine materials by how much light gets through, then circle what makes a shadow.
Grades 2–4
Mirrors and Reflections
Six facts about light and mirrors to mark true or false, then write your name the way a mirror shows it.
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