KS3 ~ Year 7 ~ Light

This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 P3 ’Light’.

For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.

The lesson begins by students being shown a video of a laser show, students will need to note down their observations about how light travels. Hopefully students should identify that light travels in straight lines - a diagram can be shown to students to identify this. Students are also shown a diagram which demonstrates how shadows are formed.

Next, students will be given the definition of a luminous and non-luminous object. Students will need to come up with their own examples of luminous and non-luminous objects and write their ideas down into their books, under two headings. This task can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided, as well as other suitable suggestions.

Students will now be shown some pictures of objects which are either opaque, transparent or translucent, students should now ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas about how to group these images. Hopefully, students should identify the three categories, this will be revealed as part of a class discussion. Students will now be given some time to come up with their own definitions for the terms: opaque, transparent and translucent and should come up with their own examples. This task can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.

The next part of the lesson focuses on the speed of light, students will be given the speed of light and will be introduced to terms such as light-second, light-minute and light-year. Students will then be asked a question ‘What travels faster - light or sound? Give examples as evidence’. Students can discuss in pairs, writing their ideas down in their books. This can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.

The last task requires students to complete a ‘Progress Check’ - students will fill in the blanks to complete a paragraph of information summarising what they have learned today. This work can be marked and corrected once complete. Lastly is a true or false activity which students can either complete in their books or using mini whiteboards.

The plenary task requires students to complete an ‘Exit Card’ to summarise three things they have learned, five key words and one question to their peers.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)