• 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 15° (measured from the normal). What is the angle of reflection? → 15 °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. Why do the words AMBULANCE appear reversed on the front of ambulances? (So drivers read it the right way in their rear-view mirrors / To look modern / So it glows at night / It is a spelling mistake) → So drivers read it the right way in their rear-view mirrorsPrompt: What does a mirror do to writing?

• Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
• Share the objective: Colour, prisms and refraction. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Why does a red apple look red in white light?
• Step 1: Coloured objects reflect their own colour and absorb the rest.
• Step 2: So the answer is: It reflects red light and absorbs the other colours
• Answer: It reflects red light and absorbs the other colours
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• 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 prism do to white light? (splits it into a spectrum of colours / turns it black / makes it brighter / stops it completely) → splits it into a spectrum of coloursPrompt: Think of a rainbow.
2. Colour and light: which statement is NOT true? (Light slows down when it enters glass or water. / A red filter lets red light through and absorbs other colours. / White light is a mixture of colours. / A red filter turns white light red by adding red.) → A red filter turns white light red by adding red.Prompt: Does a filter add colour or take colours away?

• 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 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. What colour does a white T-shirt look under only red light? (red / white / green / blue) → redPrompt: White reflects whatever colour reaches it.
2. Colour and light: which statement is NOT true? (Black objects absorb most of the light that falls on them. / Light travels at the same speed in glass as in air. / A red filter lets red light through and absorbs other colours. / White light is a mixture of colours.) → Light travels at the same speed in glass as in air.Prompt: Does a filter add colour or take colours away?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.