Light Fantastic

Year 5 Science Unit Term 2, 2012

Curriculum Content Descriptions Science Understanding PHYSICAL SCIENCES Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (ACSSU080) Elaborations drawing simple labelled ray diagrams to show the paths of light from a source to our eyes comparing shadows from point and extended light sources such as torches and fluorescent tubes classifying materials as transparent, opaque or translucent based on whether light passes through them or is absorbed recognising that the colour of an object depends on the properties of the object and the colour of the light source exploring the use of mirrors to demonstrate the reflection of light recognising the refraction of light at the surfaces of different transparent materials, such as when light travels from air to water or air to glass

Science Inquiry Skills

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be (ACSIS231) Elaborations exploring the range of questions that can be asked about a problem or phenomena and with guidance, identifying those questions that could be investigated

Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093) Elaborations discussing how models represent scientific ideas and constructing physical models to demonstrate an aspect of scientific understanding constructing multi-modal texts to communicate science ideas using labelled diagrams, including cross-sectional representations, to communicate ideas

Science as a Human Endeavour

Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE081) Elaborations developing an understanding of the behaviour of light by making observations of its effects

Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples lives (ACSHE083) Elaborations exploring objects and devices that include parts that involve the reflection, absorption or refraction of light such as mirrors, sunglasses and prisms

Assessment Assessment One: Assessment Two:

Lessons ENGAGE Lesson One: Light Ideas to elicit prior knowledge, how we use light, how it travels and how light helps us to see. ENGAGE Session 1, 2, 3: as a rotation activity to continue eliciting student prior knowledge and understandings. EXPLORE Lesson 2, Lesson 3, Lesson 4: as rotation activities which allow students to explore with hands on experiences how light helps us to see, how light travels and how different materials affect the transmission of light. EXPLAIN Lesson 5: Sneaky Spy to support students to represent and explain their understanding of light and introduce current scientific views about light. ELABORATE Lesson 6: Big shadow, little shadow will support students to plan and conduct an investigation of the height of shadows. EVALUATE Lesson 7, session 1 and 2 will provide opportunities for students to represent what they know about light and to reflect on their learning during the unit.

General Resources BBC Schools Science Clips http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesiz e/science/physical_processes/

How Stuff Works http://science.howstuffworks.com/light.ht m

Engineering Interact http://www.engineeringinteract.org/reso urces.htm