• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (How shadows form when light is blocked). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which of these is needed to make a shadow? (a loud noise / a mirror and some water / a light source and an object that blocks light / only a dark room) → a light source and an object that blocks lightPrompt: Think of shadow puppets: what do you need?
2. True or false? Shadows are on the opposite side of an object from the light. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What does an object do to light to make a shadow?
3. Shadows: which statement is true? (Your shadow moves when you move. / The shadow of a cup has the shape of a triangle. / Shadows point towards the light. / A shadow shows your face and your eyes.) → Your shadow moves when you move.Prompt: Picture a torch, a toy and a wall.

• Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
• Share the objective: Clear, cloudy or blocking? How much light gets through. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: How much light passes through this: a thick book?
• Step 1: No light passes through opaque materials, so they make dark shadows.
• Step 2: So the answer is: opaque (lets no light through)
• Answer: opaque (lets no light through)
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. How much light passes through this: a thick book? (transparent (lets almost all light through) / translucent (lets some light through) / opaque (lets no light through)) → opaque (lets no light through)Prompt: Hold it up to a window in your mind. Can you see through it?
2. Which of these is transparent? (cling film (plastic wrap) / a brick wall / a metal tray / frosted glass in a bathroom window) → cling film (plastic wrap)Prompt: Think about the shadow each one would make.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which would make the darkest shadow? (a clear plastic cup / a glass of clean water / a sheet of tissue paper / a wooden block) → a wooden blockPrompt: Which one lets no light through at all?
2. How much light passes through this: frosted glass in a bathroom window? (transparent (lets almost all light through) / translucent (lets some light through) / opaque (lets no light through)) → translucent (lets some light through)Prompt: Hold it up to a window in your mind. Can you see through it?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.