Exploring Light and Shadows
Grade Level:
Content Area:
Core Area:
Grade One
Physical Science
Exploring Light and Shadows
Lesson Overview:
Students will investigate and explore ways that light interacts with their
surroundings. Students will learn that a light source is needed to see objects.
Students will explore how light can pass through, partly pass through or not
pass through some objects. Students will investigate how light can change
directions.
2005 Standards Correlation:
Grade 4
Properties of Light and Electricity
Standard 4-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of light and
electricity (Physical Science).
Indicators
5.1
Summarize the basic properties of light (including brightness and colors).
5.2
Illustrate the fact that light, as a form of energy, is made up of many different colors.
5.3
Summarize how light travels and explain what happens when it strikes an object (including
reflection, refraction, and absorption).
5.4
Compare how light behaves when it strikes transparent, translucent, and opaque materials.
2014 Standards Correlation:
Grade One
Physical Science: Exploring Light and Shadows
Standard 1.P.2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of light and how
shadows are formed.
1.P.2A.
Conceptual Understanding: Objects can only be seen when light shines on them.
Some materials allow light to pass through them; others allow only some light to pass
through; and some do not allow any light to pass through and will create a shadow of
the object. Technology such as mirrors can change the direction of a beam of light.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
1.P.2A.1
Obtain and communicate information to describe how light is required to make objects
visible.
1.P.2A.2 Analyze and interpret data from observations to compare how light behaves when it
shines on different materials.
1.P.2A.3 Conduct structured investigations to answer questions about how shadows change
when the position of the light source changes.
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1.P.2A.4
Develop and use models to describe what happens when light shines on mirrors based
on observations and data collected.
Required Materials:
Camera obscura picture
Drawing of beaker and straw
Light box
Concave lens and convex lens
Mirror
Diffraction Glasses
Beaker
Straws (transparent and opaque)
Flask and penny
CDs
Water source
Backwards “ambulance”
7E Procedures:
7E
Procedure
ELICIT
In a dark room (the darker the better), ask
students to describe the objects they see.
Use flashlights to provide light source. Use
room lights to provide light source.
Shine light on different materials (transparent,
translucent, opaque)
Conduct investigations about how shadows
change when the position of the light source
changes.
Use a beaker and straws to demonstrate the
bending of light.
• Low light allows people to see objects but
not distinguish color. More light allows
more visual detail.
• Changing angles of light results in shorter or
longer shadows and the concentration or
spreading of light.
• Some materials allow light to pass through
them; others allow only some light to pass
through; and some do not allow any light to
pass through and will create a shadow of the
object.
• Light “bends” as it moves from one type of
material to another. Light can change
direction when it passes from one type of
material to another or when it contacts a
reflective surface (mirror)
ENGAGE
EXPLORE
EXPLAIN
SEPs
Copyright © 2015 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
Cross
Cutting
Concepts
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ELABORATE Use a mirror to demonstrate the change in
direction of light.
Use the word Ambulance to demonstrate
practical application of mirrors.
EVALUATE
Provide students with a set of objects to sort
based on being reflective, transparent,
translucent or opaque
EXTEND
On a sunny day, go outside and explore how
shadows change through out the day and
throughout the year.
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