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Light
Science | Year 6 | Unit Overview
Introduction
This ‘Light’ unit will teach your class about light, how we see, shadows, reflection and refraction. The children will learn how light
travels and how this enables us to see objects. They will demonstrate their knowledge by making and starring in their own television
programme. The children will have the opportunity to make a functioning periscope, finding out about mirrors and the angles of reflection
and incidence. They will work scientifically and collaboratively to investigate refraction, carrying out some fascinating experiments into
the effects of bending light. Furthermore, they will have chance to predict what will happen in an exciting investigation into the visible
spectrum. They will work in a hands-on way to explore how light creates the colours we see, designing coded messages. Finally, they
will learn about Isaac Newton and his theory of light and colour, performing a shadow puppet play about his discoveries and ideas.
Assessment Statements
By the end of this unit...
...all children should be able to:
Health & Safety
Ensure that children are aware that they should never look directly
at the Sun or any bright lights. Remind children not to shine lights
towards others’ eyes. Suitable torches should be used in the
investigations, never laser pointers. Make sure that the mirrors
used are child safe, not glass. If you choose to use coloured sweets
in lesson 5, ensure that there are no allergies to any ingredients.
Ensure children are aware of how to use the equipment safely.
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Recognise that light travels in straight lines.
Describe how light enables us to see.
Understand reflection as light bouncing off a surface.
Identify some effects of refraction.
Identify the visible spectrum.
Explore colours using light.
Recognise that Isaac Newton discovered information
about light and colour.
• Explain that objects block light to form shadows.
• Predict what will happen in an investigation.
• Make observations.
...most children will be able to:
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Home Learning
Light Build-A-Book: Children have the opportunity to present their
understanding of light in their own creative and unique way, creating
and illustrating a non-fiction book about light.
Light It Up! Children are challenged to use their understanding
of reflection to reflect a light ray around a map, with the aim of
illuminating a lighthouse.
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Explain how light travels to enable us to see.
Understand that all objects reflect light.
Identify the angles of incidence and reflection.
Understand refraction as light bending or changing
direction.
Explain how a prism allows us to see the visible
spectrum.
Understand that colours are a result of light reflecting
off an object.
Explain Isaac Newton’s experiments about light and
colour.
Understand how shadows change size.
Understand that shadows are the same shape as the
object that casts them.
Make observations and conclusions.
Be able to answer questions based on their learning.
...some children will be able to:
Wider Learning & Weblinks
Visit the National Media Museum to find out more about light, colour,
photography, television and the Internet.
This Optic 4 Kids website has lots of different ideas for activities to
explore light and colour.
This BBC website has several useful films to use in the classroom to
support children’s understanding of light.
• Explain how light enables us to see an object reflected
in a mirror.
• Recognise that the angles of incidence and reflection
are equal.
• Explain how light is refracted as it travels through
glass or water.
• Recognise that the colours of the visible spectrum
have different wavelengths.
• Understand how filters reflect or absorb different
colours of light.
• Recognise how Isaac Newton used proof to support
his ideas about light and colour.
• Set up reliable and accurate investigations.
• Make and explain predictions.
• Make and record accurate observations.
• Use scientific language to explain their findings.
• Be able to ask and answer questions based on their
learning using scientific language.
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Lesson Breakdown
1. How We See
To recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines by
creating a model of light travelling.
Resources
• Yellow wool
• Colouring pencils or pens
To use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain
that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light
into the eye by creating a model of light travelling.
To explain that we see things because light travels from
light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects
and then to our eyes by creating a light documentary.
• I can explain that light travels in straight lines from
light sources to our eyes, and from light sources to
objects and then to our eyes.
2. Reflecting Light
To recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines by
investigating the angles of incidence and reflection.
To use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain
that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light
into the eye by creating a periscope and explaining how it
works.
To explain that we see things because light travels from
light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects
and then to our eyes by creating a periscope and explaining
how it works.
• I can understand how mirrors reflect light, and how
they can help us see objects.
3. Refraction
To recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines by
investigating refraction.
• I can investigate how refraction changes the
direction in which light travels.
4. Spectacular Spectrum
To recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines by
exploring prisms and creating colour wheels.
• I can investigate how a prism changes a ray of light.
5. Seeing Colours
To use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain
that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light
into the eye by investigating how we see colours.
To explain that we see things because light travels from
light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects
and then to our eyes by investigating how we see colours.
• I can investigate how light enables us to see colours.
6. Shadow Theatre
To use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain
why shadows have the same shape as the objects that
cast them by performing a shadow puppet show about
Isaac Newton.
To identify scientific evidence that has been used to
support or refute ideas or arguments by performing a
shadow puppet show about Isaac Newton.
• I can explain why shadows have the same shape as
the object that casts them.
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Modelling clay
Mirrors
White paper
Small piece of card
Scissors
Torches
Protractors
Cereal boxes
Sticky tape
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BBC film
Small pieces of paper
Cups of water
Jugs
Saucers
• Seven pieces of paper in the
colours of the rainbow and
one white piece of paper stuck
around the room
• Cardboard
• Colouring pens or pencils.
• String or yarn
• Coloured sweets such as
Smarties or Skittles (if this is
not possible, then coloured
cubes or counters are ideal
alternatives)
• Different coloured cellophane
squares
• Colouring pens or pencils
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BBC film
Scissors
Sticky tape
Card
Straws or craft sticks
Tissue paper
Tracing paper
Screen (a white sheet is ideal)
Projector or other light source
National Curriculum Aim Lesson Context Child Friendly
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