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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes

Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2England: KS2 Y3 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun.

  • 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. What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave? (It makes our eyes stronger. / It makes the cave warmer, so we see better. / It makes the walls give out light. / It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.) → 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? If you wait long enough in a totally dark room, your eyes will see everything. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  3. You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see? (everything, but in black and white / only red things / only shiny things / nothing at all) → nothing at allPrompt: What is missing from the room?

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: Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun. 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 do sunglasses with UV protection help your eyes on a bright day?
  • Step 1: UV-blocking lenses protect eyes from damage over time.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: They block harmful ultraviolet light and reduce glare.
  • Answer: They block harmful ultraviolet light and reduce glare.
  • 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. How can you safely watch a solar eclipse? (Look through binoculars. / Use certified eclipse glasses or project the image through a pinhole onto card. / Look through ordinary sunglasses. / Look quickly and then look away.) → Use certified eclipse glasses or project the image through a pinhole onto card.Prompt: Ordinary sunglasses let through far too much light.
  2. True or false? Darkness is a kind of light. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about how light reaches eyes and skin.

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. Is this safe or unsafe in strong sunlight: viewing the Sun with a pinhole projector? (safe / unsafe) → safePrompt: Does it protect your eyes and skin, or expose them?
  2. True or false? You cannot get sunburnt on a cloudy day. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about how light reaches eyes and skin.

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-3.

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

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Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun

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  1. Question 1

    How can you safely watch a solar eclipse?

    • A. Use certified eclipse glasses or project the image through a pinhole onto card.
    • B. Look through ordinary sunglasses.
    • C. Look quickly and then look away.
    • D. Look through binoculars.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Light from the Sun can damage your eyes.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Is this safe or unsafe in strong sunlight: putting on sunscreen?

    • A. safe
    • B. unsafe

  4. Question 4

    Why must you never look straight at the Sun, even with sunglasses?

    • A. It makes the Sun angry.
    • B. It makes the Sun go out.
    • C. Its light is strong enough to permanently damage your eyes.
    • D. The Sun is too far away to see.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? You cannot get sunburnt on a cloudy day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Darkness is a kind of light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Is this safe or unsafe in strong sunlight: wearing a sun hat?

    • A. safe
    • B. unsafe

  8. Question 8

    Why do sunglasses with UV protection help your eyes on a bright day?

    • A. They make the Sun bigger.
    • B. They block harmful ultraviolet light and reduce glare.
    • C. They make you see in the dark.
    • D. They let in more light.

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Answer key: Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun

  1. 1. A. Use certified eclipse glasses or project the image through a pinhole onto card.

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. A. safe

  4. 4. C. Its light is strong enough to permanently damage your eyes.

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. B. False

  7. 7. A. safe

  8. 8. B. They block harmful ultraviolet light and reduce glare.