Submitted by: Jeffrey Kimber, McGill Elementary School, Ely, Nevada
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.

Date: May 1994

Grade Level(s): 2

Subject(s):

• Science

1. Predict what will happen when the strip is placed in the water.
2. Record the data observed in the experiment.

MATERIALS: Plastic glasses White absorbent paper towels or coffee filters Colored markers (water based, not permanent) Prediction sheet (three columns with headings for color, predictions, and results)

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Cut white paper towels or coffee filters into 1" wide strips.
2. Fold strip over the top edge of the glass so that it touches the bottom of the glass.
3. Remove the paper and color a stripe of green two inches from the bottom end.
4. Fill the glass with an inch of water.
5. Have the students predict what will happen when the strip is placed in the water.
6. Set the strip in the glass with the stripe one inch above the water.
7. Have the students watch the water as it moves up the strip. Green will separate into blue and yellow.
8. Have students use other colors and make predictions about what will happen.
9. Have the students record their observations on the prediction sheet.
10. Follow the experiment with a discussion of primary and secondary colors.