Light

Science

Primary

Look inside the lights used at rock concerts, for KS2 science

Reinforce Year 6 science learners' understanding that light comes from a source, with this short Key Stage 2 lesson starter which includes a question to spark further debate. In a warehouse, eight moving lights used in rock concerts and theatres have been set up in a row. They're sophisticated light sources, capable of generating a spectrum of colour as well as a complex range of moving shapes and patterns. A look inside the lights reveals for primary pupils how small wheels and micro-motors within the lamps create the light show .

How Light Travels

A KS2 science idea, linking vision with light entering the eye

Give Year 6 science pupils a sense of what life is like if you can't see properly, based on the Key Stage 2 science learning objective 'we see light sources because light enters our eyes'. Alex is virtually blind due to a congenital condition which means that light entering his eyes isn't processed correctly by his optic nerves. He has a minute amount of peripheral vision, but only in bright light. Alex answers a series of probing questions about why he can't see and he shows how he travels to work with his guide dog Leo. The video features images from Alex's perspective, simulating what his eyes are able to see. There's a question to prompt discussion among primary pupils at the end.

How We See Light

Getting young pupils to think critically about light

This programme looks at a science lesson in which the key concept is that light is necessary for sight (QCA Unit 1D). There is an emphasis on scientific enquiry and a response to national initiatives to continue play-based learning from Foundation Stage to KS1. Helen Ackerman is a mature NQT who has worked as a nursery nurse for many years. In this programme, she teaches a Year 1 class at Codicote Primary School in Hertfordshire. She is not a science specialist. She has been working with Jane Turner, deputy director of the Science Learning Centre (east of England), who has helped her with planning and resources for this dynamic lesson. Helen introduces the lesson with a class literacy focus about a bear who is afraid of the dark. She challenges her pupils' assumptions about light. She gets them to think about a dark place they have been, then introduces key scientific words. She sets up two investigations that link light with light sources and the story. This programme explores: <ul> <li>Encouraging students to think about why light is necessary for sight</li> <li>Introducing scientific terms relating to light</li> </ul>

KS1 Science - Light

Examine the connection between light and sight for Year 1 science

Help Key Stage 1 science pupils investigate what happens when light is excluded from the human eye, and pose questions for further discussion. A group of primary pupils is blindfolded to exclude light from their eyes. They're led into a room where there's a table full of party food. Being unable to see, they have to use their senses of touch, smell and taste, discussing their discoveries with each other. Finally, all the children are brought back into the room without their blindfolds to discover what food items were on the table. They then discuss their discoveries. This KS1 lesson starter helps children assert that, without light, they cannot use their sense of sight.

KS1 Science - Light and Seeing

A lesson about light for KS1 students is analysed

Jane Turner, deputy director of the Science Learning Centre, (east of England), and Helen Ackerman, an NQT, review a science lesson Helen teaches to her Year 1 class on light. Helen is not a science specialist. So, they discuss the use of a story as a focus for the lesson. Jane picks up on the children's difficulty in understanding key scientific vocabulary. They discuss a class investigation involving a dark cave and how the children's predictions are based on their existing knowledge. They both feel a discussion about light sources was inappropriate. The cave investigation is led by the TA. We see children working with a light box and story box. Jane acknowledges that Helen is incorporating play-based learning in her lesson through KS1. We see a couple of children in the plenary getting a bit confused with results. Jane suggests that these are recorded immediately and goes onto discuss alternative methods of recording. Where to next? A series of ideas are generated, and Helen discusses her low and high points.

KS1 Science - Light: Lesson Review

Two science teachers plan lessons on light

As part of their continuing professional development, primary teachers Claire Duncan and Sukhbinder Bachra are working together to plan two science lessons on light. As part of their planning, the teachers meet with primary science consultant Rosemary Feasey who offers some inspirational advice on how to approach the subject more creatively. Claire plans to incorporate a story about a teddy bear needing new sunglasses to inspire her Year 3 class. They will design and make new sunglasses for teddy in the lesson. Sukhbinder's Year 5 class are to investigate a solar eclipse and predict what would happen if the eclipse lasted for a long time. The children will work in groups and then make presentations to the class. This programme concludes with the start of both lessons. In the next programme, Claire and Sukhbinder will reflect on the success of their lessons.

KS1/2 Science - As Easy As CPD 1

Two science teachers review their lessons on light

Claire Duncan and Sukhbinder Bachra recently planned two science lessons on the subject of light; one for Claire's Year 3 and another for Sukhbinder's Year 5 class. As part of their continuing professional development, the teachers met with primary science consultant Rosemary Feasey who offered them inspirational advice on teaching science more creatively. In this programme, Claire and Sukhbinder review their lessons with a detailed look at what happened in the classroom. Claire uses a story about a teddy bear needing new sunglasses to inspire her Year 3 class. The children design and make new sunglasses using light sensors to assess the best materials for lenses. Sukhbinder's Year 5 class investigate solar eclipse and are asked to predict what would happen if the eclipse lasted a long time. The children work in groups and later make presentations to the rest of the class. Throughout the programme, Claire and Sukhbinder candidly comment on their triumphs and misgivings.

KS1/2 Science - As Easy As CPD 2

KS2 science ideas using shadowgraph theatre to explain light

This creative lesson idea for Year 3 science involves using a shadowgraph theatre to explain to Key Stage 2 pupils how light creates shadows. The light source is a simple angle-poise lamp and the characters in the play are figures mounted on rods, brought to life by a professional puppeteer. The puppets tell a traditional folk tale about a man with a hump back, and the magic fairies that help him to get rid of his hump. The way characters appear and disappear illustrates particularly well how shadows are formed and how they change when put in front of a light source.

KS2 Science - Making Shadows

Reviewing a Key Stage 2 lesson on modelling light

This Key Stage 2 CPD video for science teachers, reviews a lesson that teaches pupils about light. Three education professionals discuss a science lesson delivered by Rachel Dixon, a Year 6 teacher at Ripple Primary School in Barking, on modelling light. The panel also discuss some of the difficulties teachers have in teaching light, as well as talking about how to help pupils develop their scientific language. The contributors are primary maths consultant Rosemary Fease, science coordinator Anne Fitzpatrick, and Year 6 teacher, Rachel Dixon. This video is part of the Lesson Planning Pack - Light for KS2 science, which includes two lesson starters, one great lesson idea and a CPD discussion.

Light - Successful Strategies

Take an in-depth look at the properties of light, for KS2 science

Take an in-depth look at the properties of light with a video for use with Key Stage 2 science classes. Through time-lapse film and animation from space, The Day and Night Show highlights the differences in the 24-hour cycle. Cinema Trip explores light sources, revealing to primary pupils how light can travel through some materials but not others. Inside an Eye goes into the lab to observe an animal's eye being taken apart to find out how it works. Trick of the Light looks back at how the Victorians used mirrors and lenses to set up the camera obscura - a giant camera. Seeing the Light goes into the lab to explain reflection, using mirrors, torches and lasers to demonstrate how light travels in a straight line.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Primary Science

> Light