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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light.

  • 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 · 5 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? (nothing at all / only shiny things / only red things / everything, but in black and white) → nothing at allPrompt: What is missing from the room?
  2. True or false? Our eyes shine light onto things so we can see them. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  3. 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?

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: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light. 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: Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?
  • Step 1: Smooth, shiny surfaces bounce light back neatly, so you can often see yourself.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • Answer: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • 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. Could you see a clear reflection in this: a polished metal tray? (reflects light well (shiny and smooth) / does not reflect well (dull or rough)) → reflects light well (shiny and smooth)Prompt: Is the surface smooth and shiny, or rough and dull?
  2. How can you use a mirror to light up a dark corner with sunlight? (Break the mirror into pieces. / Cover the mirror with paper. / Put the mirror in the dark corner facing the wall. / Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.) → Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.Prompt: What do mirrors do to light that hits them?

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? Still water can act like a mirror. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Mirrors do not make light. What do they do to it?
  2. Why does a dentist use a tiny mirror? (to see the backs of your teeth / to make your teeth white / to scare germs away / to keep your mouth warm) → to see the backs of your teethPrompt: Can the dentist look straight at the back of a tooth?

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-1.

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

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Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? A mirror changes the direction of light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Road signs and bike reflectors glow when headlights shine on them. Why?

    • A. They reflect the light straight back towards the driver.
    • B. They have batteries inside.
    • C. They store sunlight from the day.
    • D. They are hot.

  3. Question 3

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a polished metal tray?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  4. Question 4

    Why does a dentist use a tiny mirror?

    • A. to keep your mouth warm
    • B. to see the backs of your teeth
    • C. to make your teeth white
    • D. to scare germs away

  5. Question 5

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  6. Question 6

    True or false? A mirror makes its own light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    How can you use a mirror to light up a dark corner with sunlight?

    • A. Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.
    • B. Break the mirror into pieces.
    • C. Cover the mirror with paper.
    • D. Put the mirror in the dark corner facing the wall.

  8. Question 8

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: still water in a pond?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

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Answer key: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. A. They reflect the light straight back towards the driver.

  3. 3. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  4. 4. B. to see the backs of your teeth

  5. 5. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  6. 6. B. False

  7. 7. A. Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.

  8. 8. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)