Critical concepts
© 2005 Edwin Ellis
www.GraphicOrganizers.com
CORE CONCEPTS & CONNECTIONS FOR 5th Grade Science
ACOS 5.0
Contrast ways in which light rays are bent by concave and convex lenses.
Common Misconception(s)
A common misconception is that prisms create
rainbows. FACT: The term rainbow refers to the
natural phenomenon of light refracting through water
droplets in the atmosphere. Prisms refract light into the
visible spectrum.
Essential Question(s)
Classroom Resources
How do concave and convex lenses bend light rays?
What is a prism? How do mirrors reflect light?
Why do different objects have different colors?
What are the functions of the structures of the eye?
What types of lenses are used to correct vision?
What are the contributions of Anton van Leeuwenhoek?
Vocabulary
Background Knowledge
Light travels as waves in straight paths called rays. When light strikes an object, it may
change direction or pass from one material to another. Light may be reflected (bounced),
absorbed (taken in), or refracted (bent).
5.0 Contrast ways in which light rays are bent by concave and convex lenses.
When light strikes a lens, it refracts and causes a change in direction of the light. The
shape of the lens affects how light bends. Light that enters a convex lens is bent inward.
Light that enters a concave lens is bent outward.
PE: F64-71
TE: F64-71
Folder # 5
ASA Coach Lesson 8
Web Resources
light rays
reflected
absorbed
refracted
Vocabulary
lens
convex lens
concave lens
Web Resources
Light Atom’s Family site
Light Waves info
PE: F64-69; TE: F64-69; Folder #5
5.1 Describing how a prism forms a visible spectrum
A prism splits white light by changing the path of light by different amounts for different
colors. The resulting different colored light you can see is called the visible spectrum.
PE: F64-65; TE: F64-65; Folder #5
5.2 Explaining why different objects have different colors
Color is interpreted in your brain as a result of the light you see. Different materials will
reflect certain wavelengths of light and absorb others. An apple reflects red wavelengths
and absorbs other wavelengths. This is why the apple looks red.
PE: F63-69; TE: F63-69; Folder #5, Leveled/ Ind. Readers F1e
Vocabulary
prism
white light
refraction
visible spectrum
Vocabulary
wavelength
reflection
absorption
Web Resources
Visible Spectrum visible spectrum
Web Resources
Splash of color activities
Exploring light and color (video) (need
to login to Discovery Ed.)
Critical concepts
© 2005 Edwin Ellis
www.GraphicOrganizers.com
CORE CONCEPTS & CONNECTIONS FOR 5TH GRADE SCIENCE
Vocabulary
5.3 Describing how mirrors reflect light
Light that strikes a mirror reflects off of it in another direction. Some mirrors are curved
rather than flat. A convex mirror curves out toward the source of the light and produces
an image that appears smaller than the actual object. A concave mirror curves inward
and shows different types of images depending on the distance between the object and
the mirror. The image may appear larger or smaller than the actual object.
Web Resources
Reflection mirror activity
concave mirror
convex mirror
Reflection mirror activity Atom’s Family
PE: F63, F66, F69; TE: F63, F66, F69; Folder #5
Vocabulary
5.4 Describing the relationship between the structure of the eye and sight
Light travels through the cornea and pupil to enter the eye. The light then passes
through a convex lens which refracts the light rays and bends them inward. As a result,
an image forms on the retina at the back of the eye. The optic nerve carries signals from
the retina to the brain. The image formed is upside down, but the brain corrects this so
you see objects right side up.
cornea
iris
retina
pupil
optic nerve
lens
Web Resources
Eye diagram
Eye activities
PE: F67-71; TE: F67-71; Folder #5
5.5 Identifying types of corrective lenses used to correct sight problems
The lenses in eyeglasses and contact lenses are shaped so that the light they transmit
bends in a way that helps people see better. Farsightedness causes distant objects to
be seen clearly, but nearby objects appear blurry. Glasses with convex lenses are used
to correct this. Nearsightedness causes nearby objects to be seen clearly, but distant
objects appear blurry. Glasses with concave lenses are used to correct this.
Vocabulary
farsightedness
nearsightedness
Web Resources
Corrective Lenses why you need them
Glasses and contacts ( kids site)
PE: F67; TE: F67; Folder #5
5.6 Identifying the contribution of van Leeuwenhoek to the development of the
microscope
In the 17th century, Anton van Leeuwenhoek built the most powerful microscope of his
time by using a single convex lens.
PE: A6; TE: FA6; Folder #5
Vocabulary
simple microscope
compound microscope
convex lens
Web Resources
Leeuwenhoek history and facts
Microscope parts (United Streaming
video)