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How a Rainbow Forms

A complete A1 classroom lesson built around an engaging topic. Use it as a 45–60 minute lesson, or choose individual sections for a shorter class.

A145–55 minutesScience & weatherPrintable
Teacher lesson: Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.
Teacher AnswersOpen related EnglishDrills reading
1 Lesson Goals
A rainbow after rain

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

  • understand the main ideas and key details in How a Rainbow Forms.
  • learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
  • use the lesson language in speaking or writing.
Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.
2 Reading
Before you read:

Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner.

A rainbow appears when sunlight and water droplets work together. After rain, tiny drops of water can remain in the air. Sunlight enters a droplet and bends. The light then reflects inside the droplet and bends again as it leaves. White sunlight is made of many colours, so the colours spread out. We usually see red on the outside of the rainbow and violet on the inside. A rainbow is actually part of a circle, but from the ground we usually see only an arc. To see a rainbow, the Sun is normally behind you and rain is in front of you.
3 Vocabulary
Words: droplet · bend · reflect · arc · sunlight

Write a short meaning or synonym for each word.

droplet –

bend –

reflect –

arc –

sunlight –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. What can remain in the air after rain?

2. What happens when sunlight enters a water droplet?

3. Why do the colours spread out?

4. Which colour is usually on the outside?

5. Where is the Sun normally when you see a rainbow?

5 Language Focus

Choose the correct verb form.

1. Sunlight enter / enters a water droplet.

2. The light bend / bends as it travels.

3. Rainbows appear / appears when conditions are right.

4. The colours spread / spreads out.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. What stays in the air after a shower?

2. What happens to sunlight in the droplets?

3. What does the light separate into?

4. Where is the Sun when we often see a rainbow?

Speak

Discuss with a partner or small group.

• Have you ever seen a very bright rainbow?
• Which weather do you enjoy most? Why?
• Why do you think rainbows interest people?

How a Rainbow Forms — Continued
7 Use Your English

Something New

Draw a rainbow. Your partner names a colour and you point to it as fast as you can. Then swap roles and add weather words such as sun, cloud and rain.

Write

Write 5–6 sentences explaining how a rainbow forms. Use first, then and finally.

8 Puzzle or Game
Draw, Mime or Describe

Choose a useful word from this lesson. Do not say the word. Draw it, mime it, or describe it. Your partner has three guesses.

Swap roles and play again with a different word.

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

  • I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
  • I can use at least three new words correctly.
  • I can complete the language task.
  • I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Show What You Can Do
My final challenge: How a Rainbow Forms

1. Draw or plan. Add a small picture, diagram or 4 key words from the lesson.

2. Write. Write 3–5 sentences using words or language from this lesson.

3. Share. Tell a partner or teacher one thing you can now say or understand.