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

Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light.

  • 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. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / Yes, but only at night.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?
  2. True or false? Most things we see do not make their own light. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  3. 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?

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: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light. 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: Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?
  • Step 1: Smooth, shiny surfaces bounce light back neatly, so you can often see yourself.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • Answer: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • 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. Could you see a clear reflection in this: a woolly jumper (sweater)? (reflects light well (shiny and smooth) / does not reflect well (dull or rough)) → does not reflect well (dull or rough)Prompt: Is the surface smooth and shiny, or rough and dull?
  2. Road signs and bike reflectors glow when headlights shine on them. Why? (They are hot. / They have batteries inside. / They reflect the light straight back towards the driver. / They store sunlight from the day.) → They reflect the light straight back towards the driver.Prompt: Do they glow if no light shines on them?

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. Could you see a clear reflection in this: a brick? (reflects light well (shiny and smooth) / does not reflect well (dull or rough)) → does not reflect well (dull or rough)Prompt: Is the surface smooth and shiny, or rough and dull?
  2. True or false? Shiny surfaces reflect more light than dull ones. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Mirrors do not make light. What do they do to it?

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-1.

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

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Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a paper bag?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  2. Question 2

    Why do cars have mirrors?

    • A. so drivers can see what is behind them
    • B. to make the car faster
    • C. to keep the sun off
    • D. to make the car brighter at night

  3. Question 3

    True or false? A mirror works in a totally dark room.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shiny spoon?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  5. Question 5

    How can you use a mirror to light up a dark corner with sunlight?

    • A. Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.
    • B. Cover the mirror with paper.
    • C. Break the mirror into pieces.
    • D. Put the mirror in the dark corner facing the wall.

  6. Question 6

    True or false? A mirror changes the direction of light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  8. Question 8

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a polished metal tray?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

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Answer key: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

  1. 1. B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  2. 2. A. so drivers can see what is behind them

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  5. 5. A. Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  8. 8. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)