• 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. Why is the shape of a shadow the same outline as the object? (The object paints its shape. / Light bends around the object. / Shadows are photos of the object. / Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.) → Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.Prompt: Does light curve round corners?
2. True or false? A shadow forms when an object blocks light. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What does an object do to light to make a shadow?
3. Shadows: which statement is true? (The shadow of a cup has the shape of a triangle. / A shadow shows your face and your eyes. / Shadows point towards the light. / If you move the torch (flashlight) to the left, the shadow moves to the right.) → If you move the torch (flashlight) to the left, the shadow moves to the right.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 clear plastic bottle? (transparent (lets almost all light through) / translucent (lets some light through) / opaque (lets no light through)) → transparent (lets almost all light through)Prompt: Hold it up to a window in your mind. Can you see through it?
2. Which of these is translucent? (a clear plastic bottle / a metal tray / tissue paper / a wooden door) → tissue paperPrompt: 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. How much light passes through this: aluminium (aluminum) foil? (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. Why are greenhouses made of clear glass or plastic? (because glass is soft / so sunlight can reach the plants inside / to keep plants in the dark / to stop rain falling on the roof) → so sunlight can reach the plants insidePrompt: What do plants need to make food?

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