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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes

Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2CCSS NGSS.MS-PS4-2England: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing.

  • 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: Reflection of light

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 (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 45° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 45 °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 70°. What is the angle of reflection (measured from the normal)? → 20 °Prompt: The normal is at 90° to the mirror.
  3. How does a periscope let you see over a wall? (It bends light with magnets / It makes its own light / Two mirrors reflect light down to your eyes / Light goes through the wall) → Two mirrors reflect light down to your eyesPrompt: Light travels in straight lines, so it must be redirected.

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: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing. 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: How does a periscope let you see over a wall?
  • Step 1: Light travels straight between mirrors; each mirror turns it, so it reaches your eye.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
  • Answer: Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
  • 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. Why can't you see round a corner? (It is always dark round corners. / Your eyes are too small. / The wall absorbs your eyesight. / Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.) → Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.Prompt: Can you hear round a corner? Sound behaves differently.
  2. True or false? Light comes out of our eyes so we can see. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Straight lines, and from object to eye.

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? A periscope works with only one mirror. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Straight lines, and from object to eye.
  2. Sunbeams through a gap in clouds look like straight lines. What does this show? (Clouds make light. / Light curves upward. / Light is solid. / Light travels in straight lines.) → Light travels in straight lines.Prompt: Dust in the air lets you see the path of the light.

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: Reflection of light.
  • 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-5.

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

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Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

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  1. Question 1

    Sunbeams through a gap in clouds look like straight lines. What does this show?

    • A. Light travels in straight lines.
    • B. Light is solid.
    • C. Light curves upward.
    • D. Clouds make light.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? We see objects because light from them travels into our eyes.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Light can bend round corners on its own.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why can't you see round a corner?

    • A. Your eyes are too small.
    • B. It is always dark round corners.
    • C. Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.
    • D. The wall absorbs your eyesight.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Light comes out of our eyes so we can see.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Light travels in straight lines.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Why does a shadow have the same outline shape as the object?

    • A. Shadows are pictures painted by light.
    • B. Light bends around objects.
    • C. The object sends out darkness.
    • D. Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly in the object's shape.

  8. Question 8

    How does a periscope let you see over a wall?

    • A. It has a tiny camera inside.
    • B. It makes the wall see-through.
    • C. Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.
    • D. It bends light like a rubber band.

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Answer key: Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing

  1. 1. A. Light travels in straight lines.

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. C. Light travels in straight lines and cannot bend round the wall.

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. D. Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly in the object's shape.

  8. 8. C. Two angled mirrors reflect the light down to your eye.