Purple, Green and Yellow: Marker Solubility

Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch

Brigid is a little girl in want of colouring markers, her mom isn't so sure.  Eventually Brigid convinces her mom to buy her some washable markers.  After a successful run with those, Brigid convinces her mom to buy her some scented markers.  And eventually, Brigid convinces her mom to buy her some super-indellible-never-come-off-till-you're-dead-and-maybe-even-later colouring markers. 

Brigid quickly learns about water soluble and water insoluble and your students can too.  In fact, your students can do Brigid one better and learn what makes those super-indellible-never-come-off-till-you're-dead-and-maybe-even-later colouring markers come off.

Place a paper towel over a short length of PVC pipe (or a small plastic container). 

Hold it in place with a rubber band. 

Students begin by using a water-soluble marker to make a circle on a paper towel. 

They then use a dropper to place drops of water in the center of the circle and observe.

Repeat this process using a permanent marker and water.

Finally, complete the process one more time using permanent marker and drops of rubbing alcohol. 

If time and budgets allow, students can create the Pinwheel t-shirts using the same process on shirts instead of paper towels.