Grade 3
Quarter 2
Big Idea 10: Forms of Energy
Light and Its Properties
Department of Mathematics and Science
Big Idea 10: Forms of Energy
Light and Its Properties
Grade 3 Benchmarks
• SC.3.P.10.3 - Demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an
object or travels from one medium to another.
• SC.3.P.10.4 - Demonstrate that light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed.
• SC.3.P.11.1 - Investigate, observe, and explain that things that give off light often
also give off heat.
• SC.3.P.11.2 - Investigate, observe, and explain that heat is produced when one
object rubs against another, such as rubbing one's hands together.
• SC.3.E.6.1 - Demonstrate that radiant energy from the sun can heat objects and
when the sun is not present, heat may be lost.
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Discovery Light Resources
•Exploration: Light Energy
• Reading Passage: Seeing in the Dark
• Video: Light: A Visible Form of Energy
• Exploration: Reflection
•Video: Light Reflection: Dependent on Surface
• Video: Light Sources and Observations
Exploration: Refraction
•Video: Refraction
•Video: The Visible Spectrum
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Supplemental Light Resources
AIMS Gr. 3 Physical Science:
• Energy Match-up p. 151
• Light Essentials p. 175
• Light Rays Slow Down p. 205
• Just Passing Through p. 183
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What is light?
•
•
•
Light is something that allows us to see objects.
Light is a form of energy.
Light is produced by the vibrations of electrically
charged particles.
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Where Does Light Come From?
Sources of Light
Sun
Ceiling Lights
Light bulbs/lamps
Flashlight
Candle flame
Produced By
Nuclear reactions
Electricity
Electricity
Chemical reactions &
Electricity
Chemical energy
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What do we know about the
Properties of Light?
• Light travels in a straight path.
• Light doesn’t travel through all objects.
These are defined as opaque.
• Light can be absorbed and
changed to heat.
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What else do we know about Light?
• Light bounces off or is reflected from some kinds of
opaque objects.
• Light travels in waves.
Angles of Reflection
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Compare and Contrast Activity
Write down your responses in your science notebook.
Cardboard VS A Mirror
• Light doesn’t pass
through – opaque
• dull
• A little rough
What happens when light
strikes it?
Cardboard absorbs light.
• Light doesn’t pass
through – opaque
• shiny
• very smooth
What happens when light
strikes it?
A mirror reflects light.
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Just Passing Through
Activity
Write down your responses in your science notebook.
1. What are objects classified as that let all light pass
through? Example: glass window; glass cup
transparent
2. What are some other transparent examples?
3. What are objects classified as that let some light pass
through? Examples: wax paper; stained glass window
translucent
4. What are some other translucent examples?
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Bending Light Lab
Write down your responses in your science notebook.
• Problem: What does light do when it travels from
one medium or state of matter (air) through another
medium (water)?
• Hypothesis:
• Test and Observe: Follow steps from the lab sheet.
• Conclusion:
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How does Light Changes Direction?
Explore the Refraction of Light Virtual Tutorial
Answer:
Light bends or refracts as it passes from one
medium (form of matter: solid, liquid or gas) to
another.
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What Color is Light?
Write down responses in your notebook.
• Problem: What happens when we shine a
flashlight on a CD?
• Hypothesis:
• Test and Observe:
• Conclusion:
• Explain/Extend: How a Prism Works
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More on Bending Light
Explore the Gr. 3 Quarter 2 Light Color Lab
Evaluate:
Write a conclusion using the CER:
Claim Evidence Reasoning Conclusion.
Question: What colors make up white light?
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:
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Claim Evidence Reasoning
CER Sample Answer
Question: What colors make up white light?
Claim:
White light includes all the colors of the rainbow - ROY G BIV.
Evidence:
The rainbow colors observed when the light from the
window or flashlight passed through the bubble.
Reasoning:
When light passes from the air, a gas, to the bubble, a
liquid, it bends.
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TAG Reflections
• Tell a fact you learned about light.
• Ask a question about something you don’t
understand about light.
• Give another idea that was addressed in our
study of energy.
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