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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes

How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2CCSS NGSS.4-LS1-2England: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Why we need light to see things

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Slinky or rope, Mirrors and torches, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Why we need light to see things). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see? (only shiny things / only red things / everything, but in black and white / nothing at all) → nothing at allPrompt: What is missing from the room?
  2. True or false? Dark means there is no light, or very little light. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  3. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (Yes, but only at night. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
  • Share the objective: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What is the job of the pupil?
  • Step 1: So the answer is: the hole that lets light into the eye
  • Answer: the hole that lets light into the eye
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. What is the job of the retina? (the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller / the layer at the back that senses light / carries signals from the eye to the brain / protects the eye and spreads tears) → the layer at the back that senses lightPrompt: Follow the light's path from the front of the eye to the brain.
  2. Why do cats' pupils open very wide at night? (To keep dust out. / To let in as much light as possible. / To make light. / To look scary.) → To let in as much light as possible.Prompt: There is little light at night.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What is the job of the retina? (focuses light onto the back of the eye / the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller / protects the eye and spreads tears / the layer at the back that senses light) → the layer at the back that senses lightPrompt: Follow the light's path from the front of the eye to the brain.
  2. Which part of your body actually makes sense of what your eyes detect? (the pupil / the eyelashes / the nose / the brain) → the brainPrompt: The eye sends signals along a nerve. Where to?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Why we need light to see things.
  • Use concrete materials: slinky or rope.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-4.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which part of your body actually makes sense of what your eyes detect?

    • A. the nose
    • B. the eyelashes
    • C. the pupil
    • D. the brain

  2. Question 2

    What is the job of the optic nerve?

    • A. the layer at the back that senses light
    • B. focuses light onto the back of the eye
    • C. carries signals from the eye to the brain
    • D. the hole that lets light into the eye

  3. Question 3

    Why can't you see a book in a completely dark room even though your eyes are open?

    • A. No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes.
    • B. The book is invisible at night.
    • C. Your eyes are switched off.
    • D. Books absorb eyesight.

  4. Question 4

    What is the job of the eyelid?

    • A. carries signals from the eye to the brain
    • B. the hole that lets light into the eye
    • C. protects the eye and spreads tears
    • D. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller

  5. Question 5

    What is the job of the iris?

    • A. protects the eye and spreads tears
    • B. focuses light onto the back of the eye
    • C. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller
    • D. the hole that lets light into the eye

  6. Question 6

    Why do cats' pupils open very wide at night?

    • A. To let in as much light as possible.
    • B. To look scary.
    • C. To keep dust out.
    • D. To make light.

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Answer key: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

  1. 1. D. the brain

  2. 2. C. carries signals from the eye to the brain

  3. 3. A. No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes.

  4. 4. C. protects the eye and spreads tears

  5. 5. C. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller

  6. 6. A. To let in as much light as possible.