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

Why we need light to see things

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-2England: KS2 Y3 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Why we need light to see things.

  • 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: Light sources and seeing

Leads to: How shadows form when light is blocked; Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light; Send messages with light and sound

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 (Light sources and seeing). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is the Moon a light source? (light source / not a light source (reflects light)) → not a light source (reflects light)Prompt: Does it make its own light, or does light bounce off it?
  2. Why should you never look directly at the Sun? (It is not bright / Its light is so strong it can damage your eyes / It makes you sneeze / It will go out) → Its light is so strong it can damage your eyesPrompt: Even sunglasses are not safe for staring at the Sun.
  3. Light: which statement is NOT true? (A mirror is a light source. / The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight. / The Sun is a light source. / We see objects when light reflects off them into our eyes.) → A mirror is a light source.Prompt: Does the Moon make its own light?

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: Why we need light to see things. 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: What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave?
  • Step 1: The torch is a light source; its light reflects off the walls into our eyes.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.
  • Answer: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.
  • 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. 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 the cave warmer, so we see better. / It makes our eyes stronger.) → 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? The Moon is a light source. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?

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 can you see a book on your desk? (Your eyes send out light onto the book. / The book makes its own light. / Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes. / Books glow in the dark.) → Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.Prompt: Does a book give out its own light?
  2. 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?

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: Light sources and seeing.
  • 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: How shadows form when light is blocked; Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light; Send messages with light and sound.
  • 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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Why we need light to see things

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Dark means there is no light, or very little light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light?

    • A. Yes, but only at night.
    • B. Yes, cats' eyes are light sources.
    • C. No, it is the Moon making the eyes.
    • D. No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? If you wait long enough in a totally dark room, your eyes will see everything.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Most things we see do not make their own light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Why can you see a book on your desk?

    • A. Your eyes send out light onto the book.
    • B. Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.
    • C. The book makes its own light.
    • D. Books glow in the dark.

  6. Question 6

    True or false? We need light to see things.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see?

    • A. only red things
    • B. nothing at all
    • C. only shiny things
    • D. everything, but in black and white

  8. Question 8

    True or false? Our eyes shine light onto things so we can see them.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Why we need light to see things

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. D. No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. B. Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. B. nothing at all

  8. 8. B. False