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Planting a Rainbow



Last updated Thursday, July 24, 2014

Author: Lois Ehlert
Date of Publication: 1988
ISBN: 0152626093
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2014

Synopsis: This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. Lois Ehlert's bold collage illustrations include six pages of staggered width, presenting all the flowers of each color of the rainbow.

Note to readers:
•  An easy way to remember the colors of the rainbow:
•  R - Red
•  O - Orange
•  Y - Yellow
•  G - Green
•  B - Blue
•  I - Indigo
•  V - Violet

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think the book is about based on the cover and title?
•  Have you ever planted anything?

Vocabulary:
•  catalogs - a book containing things that you can buy and use
•  bulbs - a rounded part of some plants that is under the ground and that grows into a new plant during the growing season
•  sow - to plant a seed by scattering it in the ground
•  seedlings - a young plant that is grown from seed

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What are the colors of the rainbow?
•  Have you ever been to a garden center?
•  What is your favorite color?
•  Do you have a favorite flower? What color is it?
•  Do you or your family have a garden?

Craft ideas:
•  Have the kids make their own rainbow garden by using different colors of construction paper to cut out various flowers, and pipe cleaners for stems.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!