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

Reflection of light

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2CCSS NGSS.MS-PS4-2England: KS2 Y6 LightEngland: KS3 Physics: Waves (light waves)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Reflection of 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: Light sources and seeing

Leads to: Colour, prisms and refraction; Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing; The law of reflection: calculate angles

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 a candle flame a light source? (light source / not a light source (reflects light)) → light sourcePrompt: Does it make its own light, or does light bounce off it?
  2. In which direction does light travel from a source? (only upwards / in circles / in zigzags / in straight lines) → in straight linesPrompt: Think of a torch beam in a dusty room.
  3. Light: which statement is NOT true? (Light travels in straight lines. / The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight. / We see objects when light reflects off them into our eyes. / Our eyes give out light so that we can see.) → Our eyes give out light so that we can see.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: Reflection of 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: A ray of light hits a flat mirror at an angle of incidence of 25° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection?
  • Step 1: angle of incidence = angle of reflection
  • Step 2: So the answer is: 25°
  • Answer: 25 °
  • 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. A ray of light hits a flat mirror at an angle of incidence of 60° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 60 °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.

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. What is the "normal" in a ray diagram? (any ordinary line / a line at 90° to the surface where the ray hits / the mirror itself / the reflected ray) → a line at 90° to the surface where the ray hitsPrompt: Angles are measured from it.
  2. A ray of light hits a flat mirror at an angle of incidence of 35° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 35 °Prompt: The law of reflection compares the two angles.

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: Colour, prisms and refraction; Light travels in straight lines: shadows, periscopes and seeing; The law of reflection: calculate angles.
  • 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

eurekami

Reflection of light

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    How does a periscope let you see over a wall?

    • A. Two mirrors reflect light down to your eyes
    • B. Light goes through the wall
    • C. It bends light with magnets
    • D. It makes its own light

  2. Question 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)?

    Answer°

  3. Question 3

    A ray of light hits a flat mirror at an angle of incidence of 60° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection?

    Answer°

  4. Question 4

    Which surface reflects light best to form a clear image?

    • A. a smooth, shiny mirror
    • B. black velvet
    • C. a sheet of paper
    • D. a rough wooden board

  5. Question 5

    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?

    Answer°

  6. Question 6

    Why do the words AMBULANCE appear reversed on the front of ambulances?

    • A. To look modern
    • B. So it glows at night
    • C. So drivers read it the right way in their rear-view mirrors
    • D. It is a spelling mistake

  7. Question 7

    A ray of light hits a mirror. The angle between the ray and the mirror surface is 55°. What is the angle of reflection (measured from the normal)?

    Answer°

  8. Question 8

    What is the "normal" in a ray diagram?

    • A. any ordinary line
    • B. a line at 90° to the surface where the ray hits
    • C. the reflected ray
    • D. the mirror itself

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Answer key: Reflection of light

  1. 1. A. Two mirrors reflect light down to your eyes

  2. 2. 40 °

  3. 3. 60 °

  4. 4. A. a smooth, shiny mirror

  5. 5. 45 °

  6. 6. C. So drivers read it the right way in their rear-view mirrors

  7. 7. 35 °

  8. 8. B. a line at 90° to the surface where the ray hits