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Reflectors and lights

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

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Objectives

What’s it like to see in a very dark place? Go into a dark “cave” and observe which colours show up best and which do not. Shine a torch to reveal reflectors and high visibility items and discover why they gleam! Paint and decorate your shadow puppet theatre.

Science Objectives
i) Notice that light is reflected from surfaces.

ii) Recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous.

Working Scientifically

  1. Gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help answer questions.
  2. Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings and labelled diagrams.

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

  • Copies of the Task Sheet and Painting Prompt Sheet

Additional Resources

  • Some large blackout curtains/a quantity of blackout material
  • Strong duct tape and scissors
  • Safety pins
  • Torches
  • Small squares of card in different colours, plus black, white, fluorescent colours and mirror card and a large number of tiny (sample) squares
  • Objects: a mirror, reflector, high visibility strip or item, black and white clothing
  • Puppet theatre boxes with stage cut away
  • Acrylic paints, brushes, paint pots
  • Sticky labels & glue sticks
  • Black marker pens

Weblinks
Clip on light sources and reflectors from www.bbc.co.uk
Clip on reflective gear for roads from www.bbc.co.uk

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Know what a light source is and that the sun is a light source which is so powerful that it will damage your eyes if you look at it (even with sunglasses).
  • Predict and then investigate which colours show up best and least in the dark.
  • Investigate the effect of shining a torch on various objects including reflective materials.

Activities

  1. Recap on prior knowledge by playing an active quiz game.
  2. Predict and then investigate how well different colours and materials reflect light in a simulated dark cave.
  3. Record findings by sorting and classifying colour samples, noting observations and drawing conclusions.
  4. Paint shadow puppet theatre to make it attractive and exciting for audiences.

Investigation - predicting/exploring/classifying
Predict and then investigate how well different colours and materials reflect light in a simulated dark cave. Use results to sort and classify the samples.

Vocabulary
Light source, energy, reflector, reflect, predict, investigate, reflective materials

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