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

How shadows form when light is blocked

Light, sound and waves

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: How shadows form when light is blocked.

  • 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: Make a shadow bigger or smaller; Clear, cloudy or blocking? How much light gets through

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. What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave? (It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them. / It makes the walls give out light. / It makes our eyes stronger. / It makes the cave warmer, so we see better.) → It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.Prompt: Where does the light start, and where does it end up?
  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. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes. / Yes, but only at night. / No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?

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: How shadows form when light is blocked. 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: Why is the shape of a shadow the same outline as the object?
  • Step 1: Straight-line light makes a dark shape matching the object's outline.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.
  • Answer: Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.
  • 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. Which of these is needed to make a shadow? (a light source and an object that blocks light / a loud noise / only a dark room / a mirror and some water) → a light source and an object that blocks lightPrompt: Think of shadow puppets: what do you need?
  2. True or false? Shadows are made of black paint. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: What does an object do to light to make a shadow?

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. Why does your body make a shadow on a sunny day? (The ground is dirty there. / Your body gives out darkness. / The shadow is a reflection of you. / Your body blocks the sunlight.) → Your body blocks the sunlight.Prompt: Can light pass through you?
  2. True or false? A shadow shows the outline of an object but not its colours. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What does an object do to light to make a shadow?

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

  • Move on to: Make a shadow bigger or smaller; Clear, cloudy or blocking? How much light gets through.
  • 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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How shadows form when light is blocked

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Shadows are made of black paint.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Your shadow always points away from…

    • A. the light source
    • B. the ground
    • C. the nearest tree
    • D. your friends

  3. Question 3

    Shadows: which statement is true?

    • A. Your shadow moves when you move.
    • B. A shadow shows your face and your eyes.
    • C. Shadows point towards the light.
    • D. The shadow of a cup has the shape of a triangle.

  4. Question 4

    Why does your body make a shadow on a sunny day?

    • A. Your body gives out darkness.
    • B. The shadow is a reflection of you.
    • C. The ground is dirty there.
    • D. Your body blocks the sunlight.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Shadows are on the opposite side of an object from the light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    True or false? A shadow shows the outline of an object but not its colours.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    True or false? You can make a shadow without any light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    On a cloudy day with no sunshine, why is it hard to see your shadow?

    • A. People have no shadows in winter.
    • B. The light comes from all over the sky, so it is not blocked in one place.
    • C. The clouds take your shadow away.
    • D. Shadows only happen at night.

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Answer key: How shadows form when light is blocked

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. A. the light source

  3. 3. A. Your shadow moves when you move.

  4. 4. D. Your body blocks the sunlight.

  5. 5. A. True

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. B. False

  8. 8. B. The light comes from all over the sky, so it is not blocked in one place.