Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes
Shadows and transparent, translucent and opaque materials
Light, sound and waves
CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 Light
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Shadows and transparent, translucent and opaque materials.
- 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: 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 · 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.
- Is a reflective bike strip 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?
- Why can't you see anything in a completely dark room? (Your eyes are closed / Darkness blocks your eyes / Objects disappear in the dark / There is no light to reflect into your eyes) → There is no light to reflect into your eyesPrompt: Seeing needs light.
- Light: which statement is NOT true? (We see objects when light reflects off them into our eyes. / The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight. / A mirror is a light source. / The Sun is a light source.) → 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: Shadows and transparent, translucent and opaque materials. 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: Is a thin cotton sheet transparent, translucent or opaque?
- Step 1: Translucent materials let some light through, but you cannot see clearly through them.
- Step 2: So the answer is: translucent
- Answer: translucent
- 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.
- Is tracing paper transparent, translucent or opaque? (transparent / translucent / opaque) → translucentPrompt: Can you see clearly through it, see a blur, or see nothing at all?
- Why does a shadow have the same shape as the object? (The object is a light source / Light travels in straight lines past the edges of the object / Shadows copy objects on purpose / Light bends around the object) → Light travels in straight lines past the edges of the objectPrompt: Picture straight rays from the torch to the wall.
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.
- Is air transparent, translucent or opaque? (transparent / translucent / opaque) → transparentPrompt: Can you see clearly through it, see a blur, or see nothing at all?
- Which material is opaque? (a metal tray / frosted glass / a thin cotton sheet / air) → a metal trayPrompt: Hold each one up to a window in your mind.
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
- 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-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder