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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes

Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

Light, sound and waves

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing.

  • 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: Reflection of light

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 · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Reflection of light). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. A ray of light hits a flat mirror at an angle of incidence of 30° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 30 °Prompt: The law of reflection compares the two angles.
  2. A ray of light hits a mirror. The angle between the ray and the mirror surface is 70°. What is the angle of reflection (measured from the normal)? → 20 °Prompt: The normal is at 90° to the mirror.
  3. Which surface reflects light best to form a clear image? (black velvet / a sheet of paper / a rough wooden board / a smooth, shiny mirror) → a smooth, shiny mirrorPrompt: Smooth surfaces reflect light in one direction.

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
  • Share the objective: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: How does a periscope let you see over a wall?
  • Step 1: Light travels straight between mirrors; each mirror turns it, so it reaches your eye.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
  • Answer: Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 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. Sunbeams through a gap in clouds look like straight lines. What does this show? (Light travels in straight lines. / Clouds make light. / Light is solid. / Light curves upward.) → Light travels in straight lines.Prompt: Dust in the air lets you see the path of the light.
  2. True or false? Mirrors change the direction light travels. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Straight lines, and from object to eye.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. True or false? Light can bend round corners on its own. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Straight lines, and from object to eye.
  2. Sunbeams through a gap in clouds look like straight lines. What does this show? (Light travels in straight lines. / Clouds make light. / Light curves upward. / Light is solid.) → Light travels in straight lines.Prompt: Dust in the air lets you see the path of the light.

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: Reflection of light.
  • 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-5.

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

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Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

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  1. Question 1

    Sunbeams through a gap in clouds look like straight lines. What does this show?

    • A. Light travels in straight lines.
    • B. Light curves upward.
    • C. Light is solid.
    • D. Clouds make light.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Light can bend round corners on its own.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Light comes out of our eyes so we can see.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why can't you see round a corner?

    • A. Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.
    • B. It is always dark round corners.
    • C. Your eyes are too small.
    • D. The wall absorbs your eyesight.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Mirrors change the direction light travels.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    How does a periscope let you see over a wall?

    • A. It makes the wall see-through.
    • B. Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
    • C. It has a tiny camera inside.
    • D. It bends light like a rubber band.

  7. Question 7

    True or false? Light travels in straight lines.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    True or false? A periscope works with only one mirror.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

  1. 1. A. Light travels in straight lines.

  2. 2. B. False

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. A. Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.

  5. 5. A. True

  6. 6. B. Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.

  7. 7. A. True

  8. 8. B. False