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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes

How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2CCSS NGSS.4-LS1-2England: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain.

  • 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. You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see? (only shiny things / only red things / nothing at all / everything, but in black and white) → nothing at allPrompt: What is missing from the room?
  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?
  3. True or false? Our eyes shine light onto things so we can see them. (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: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain. 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: What is the job of the pupil?
  • Step 1: So the answer is: the hole that lets light into the eye
  • Answer: the hole that lets light into the eye
  • 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. What is the job of the optic nerve? (the hole that lets light into the eye / carries signals from the eye to the brain / protects the eye and spreads tears / the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller) → carries signals from the eye to the brainPrompt: Follow the light's path from the front of the eye to the brain.
  2. Which part of your body actually makes sense of what your eyes detect? (the nose / the eyelashes / the brain / the pupil) → the brainPrompt: The eye sends signals along a nerve. Where to?

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. Why can't you see a book in a completely dark room even though your eyes are open? (No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes. / The book is invisible at night. / Your eyes are switched off. / Books absorb eyesight.) → No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes.Prompt: What must travel from the book to your eye?
  2. What is the job of the retina? (the layer at the back that senses light / the hole that lets light into the eye / protects the eye and spreads tears / the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller) → the layer at the back that senses lightPrompt: Follow the light's path from the front of the eye to the brain.

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-4.

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

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How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

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  1. Question 1

    You walk from a dark room into bright sunshine. What happens to your pupils?

    • A. They close completely.
    • B. They get smaller to let in less light.
    • C. They get bigger.
    • D. They stay the same.

  2. Question 2

    What is the job of the retina?

    • A. focuses light onto the back of the eye
    • B. protects the eye and spreads tears
    • C. the layer at the back that senses light
    • D. carries signals from the eye to the brain

  3. Question 3

    What is the job of the eyelid?

    • A. protects the eye and spreads tears
    • B. carries signals from the eye to the brain
    • C. the layer at the back that senses light
    • D. the hole that lets light into the eye

  4. Question 4

    Why can't you see a book in a completely dark room even though your eyes are open?

    • A. The book is invisible at night.
    • B. Your eyes are switched off.
    • C. Books absorb eyesight.
    • D. No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes.

  5. Question 5

    What is the job of the optic nerve?

    • A. the hole that lets light into the eye
    • B. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller
    • C. carries signals from the eye to the brain
    • D. the layer at the back that senses light

  6. Question 6

    What is the job of the iris?

    • A. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller
    • B. the layer at the back that senses light
    • C. focuses light onto the back of the eye
    • D. the hole that lets light into the eye

  7. Question 7

    Why do cats' pupils open very wide at night?

    • A. To make light.
    • B. To let in as much light as possible.
    • C. To look scary.
    • D. To keep dust out.

  8. Question 8

    What is the job of the lens?

    • A. carries signals from the eye to the brain
    • B. focuses light onto the back of the eye
    • C. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller
    • D. the layer at the back that senses light

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Answer key: How we see: light, pupil, lens, retina and brain

  1. 1. B. They get smaller to let in less light.

  2. 2. C. the layer at the back that senses light

  3. 3. A. protects the eye and spreads tears

  4. 4. D. No light is reflecting off the book into your eyes.

  5. 5. C. carries signals from the eye to the brain

  6. 6. A. the coloured ring that makes the pupil bigger or smaller

  7. 7. B. To let in as much light as possible.

  8. 8. B. focuses light onto the back of the eye