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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 cat's eyes at night 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 can't you see anything in a completely dark room? (Objects disappear in the dark / Your eyes are closed / Darkness blocks your eyes / There is no light to reflect into your eyes) → There is no light to reflect into your eyesPrompt: Seeing needs light.
  3. Light: which statement is NOT true? (We see objects when light reflects off them into our eyes. / Light travels in straight lines. / A mirror is a light source. / The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight.) → A mirror is a light source.Prompt: Does the Moon make its own light?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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 makes the cave warmer, so we see better. / It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them. / It makes the walls give out light. / 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? 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?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. True or false? The Moon is a light source. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  2. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (No, it is the Moon making the eyes. / Yes, but only at night. / No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?

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

    Why can you see a book on your desk?

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

  2. Question 2

    True or false? The Moon is a light source.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    True or false? We need light to see things.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave?

    • A. It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.
    • B. It makes the cave warmer, so we see better.
    • C. It makes our eyes stronger.
    • D. It makes the walls give out light.

  8. Question 8

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Why we need light to see things

  1. 1. D. Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.

  2. 2. B. False

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. A. No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. A. It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.

  8. 8. A. True