• 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 70° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 70 °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 50°. What is the angle of reflection (measured from the normal)? → 40 °Prompt: The normal is at 90° to the mirror.
3. Which surface reflects light best to form a clear image? (a rough wooden board / a smooth, shiny mirror / a sheet of paper / black velvet) → a smooth, shiny mirrorPrompt: Smooth surfaces reflect light in one direction.

• Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
• Share the objective: Colour, prisms and refraction. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Why does a red apple look red in white light?
• Step 1: Coloured objects reflect their own colour and absorb the rest.
• Step 2: So the answer is: It reflects red light and absorbs the other colours
• Answer: It reflects red light and absorbs the other colours
• 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. What does a prism do to white light? (splits it into a spectrum of colours / stops it completely / turns it black / makes it brighter) → splits it into a spectrum of coloursPrompt: Think of a rainbow.
2. Colour and light: which statement is NOT true? (A red filter turns white light red by adding red. / Black objects absorb most of the light that falls on them. / A red filter lets red light through and absorbs other colours. / Light slows down when it enters glass or water.) → A red filter turns white light red by adding red.Prompt: Does a filter add colour or take colours away?

• 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. Colour and light: which statement is NOT true? (Black objects absorb most of the light that falls on them. / A red filter turns white light red by adding red. / A red filter lets red light through and absorbs other colours. / White light is a mixture of colours.) → A red filter turns white light red by adding red.Prompt: Does a filter add colour or take colours away?
2. What does a prism do to white light? (makes it brighter / stops it completely / turns it black / splits it into a spectrum of colours) → splits it into a spectrum of coloursPrompt: Think of a rainbow.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.