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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes

Why we need light to see things

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-2England: KS2 Y3 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Why we need light to see things.

  • 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: Light sources and seeing

Leads to: How shadows form when light is blocked; Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light; Send messages with light and sound

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 (Light sources and seeing). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is lightning a light source? (light source / not a light source (reflects light)) → light sourcePrompt: Does it make its own light, or does light bounce off it?
  2. Why should you never look directly at the Sun? (It makes you sneeze / It will go out / It is not bright / Its light is so strong it can damage your eyes) → Its light is so strong it can damage your eyesPrompt: Even sunglasses are not safe for staring at the Sun.
  3. Light: which statement is NOT true? (The Moon is a light source. / Light travels in straight lines. / The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight. / The Sun is a light source.) → The Moon is a light source.Prompt: Does the Moon make its own light?

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: Why we need light to see things. 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 does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave?
  • Step 1: The torch is a light source; its light reflects off the walls into our eyes.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.
  • Answer: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.
  • 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. 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, its eyes are reflecting the headlights. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?
  2. True or false? The Moon is a light source. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?

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. Why can you see a book on your desk? (Books glow in the dark. / Your eyes send out light onto the book. / Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes. / The book makes its own light.) → Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.Prompt: Does a book give out its own light?
  2. True or false? If you wait long enough in a totally dark room, your eyes will see everything. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?

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: Light sources and seeing.
  • 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

  • Move on to: How shadows form when light is blocked; Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light; Send messages with light and sound.
  • 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-1.

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

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Why we need light to see things

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light?

    • A. No, it is the Moon making the eyes.
    • B. Yes, cats' eyes are light sources.
    • C. No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.
    • D. Yes, but only at night.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Most things we see do not make their own light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Why can you see a book on your desk?

    • A. Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.
    • B. Books glow in the dark.
    • C. The book makes its own light.
    • D. Your eyes send out light onto the book.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? We need light to see things.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Our eyes shine light onto things so we can see them.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see?

    • A. everything, but in black and white
    • B. only shiny things
    • C. only red things
    • D. nothing at all

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Answer key: Why we need light to see things

  1. 1. C. No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. A. Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. D. nothing at all