Rainbow Writing: What is it and how does it help?

Keeping thirty 5-year olds motivated during a writing lesson is a challenge for any teacher. As a new teacher, it's hard not to feel discouraged when you hear the collective groan erupt from the class as you introduce the lesson. Then you see one little boy tapping his pencil, another one rocking on his chair, and others asking when recess is.

Once they start doing that, you know you've lost them!

This scenario was a constant in my classroom until I discovered the power of Rainbow Writing.

WHAT is Rainbow Writing?

Your basic rainbow writing is just a fun way to use repetition to help practice alphabet letters, spelling words and sight words using multiple color pencils or crayons to create a fun rainbow effect when you write. I love the photo sample Hazel Tutoring provides. 

I used this idea Rainbow Writing to help the students in my classroom! 

HOW does Rainbow Writing help?!

Rainbow Writing helps because it's VISUALLY ENGAGING, TACTILE AND EASY. 

ALSO, it requires low-prep and it can be done in class or assigned as homework. 

Here's how it works as well as how it can help your emergent writers:

With Rainbow Writing students work on their fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and beginning writing skills. This repetitive technique is also engaging, and fun for students because they can Rainbow Write using markers, crayons, color pencils, dot painters, and even paints! The use of these fun writing tools is what motivates students to continue to write without complaining. 

My students LOVE Rainbow Writing so much that I created a resource specifically to address their alphabet handwriting needs. This resource is perfect for practicing letter formation and beginning sounds.

My kids loved these printables and would ask for them daily! 

Try it NOW...

There are many variations of Rainbow Writing besides tracing letters or words over and over letters.

For one, students can take a die and roll it to see how many colors they need to trace over the listed word. For example, a child rolls a two, they would have to choose two different colors to trace the later or words. 

Another variation of the Rainbow Writing is for a student to choose three color crayons (or makers or colors pencils) and write a letter or word three times using the three different colors. 

Do you have students who are visual-spatial, kinesthetic or tactile learners? Rainbow Write is perfect for them! Try it!!