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What is light?

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Light and Shadows

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Objectives

Investigate what we need in order to see objects in a dark place and discover how light travels. Design a stage for a shadow puppet theatre and discover first hand how the light we see is really made of a spectrum of colours.

Science Objectives
i) Recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light.

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them.
  2. Make systematic and careful observations.
  3. Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions.

Other Curriculum Areas
Design and Technology

  • Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • For each group of 3: a copy of the Investigation Task Sheet
  • A colour copy on card of the Whizzer Discs per pupil
  • Several copies of the Instructions for making a Whizzer Wheel
  • 2 investigation sheets

Additional Resources

  • Strong cardboard boxes (1 between 3 pupils) prepared ahead (see Teachers’ Notes)
  • A wide selection of small classroom objects (about 6 - 12 per group), e.g. scissors, rubbers, pens, small toy figures or vehicles, stickers, crayons
  • Blobs of sticky tack & glue sticks
  • 1m of thin string per pupil
  • Plastic party bowls
  • Drinking straws
  • Washing up liquid
  • Magnifying lenses & old compact discs

Weblinks
3 Little Piggies shadow puppet show from www.YouTube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Discover through active investigation that without light you cannot see.
  • Learn through investigation that light travels in straight lines.
  • Actively investigate the nature of white light through a number of practical activities.

Activities

  1. Actively investigate the nature of darkness, light and sight with a torch, a cardboard box and pencil holes.
  2. Use findings to draw conclusions on how light travels and our dependence on light to see.
  3. Design a stage front for shadow puppet theatre to use in the coming sessions.
  4. Learn that white light is composed of a spectrum of coloured light through 3 different investigative tasks.

Investigation - exploring/drawing conclusions
Investigate the nature of darkness, light and sight with a torch, a cardboard box and pencil holes .

Vocabulary
Light, white light, visible light, colour, spectrum, refraction

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