Light, seeing colours, dispersion, white light spectrum, rainbows, coloured light, filters. Complete

This lesson is 4 in a series of 5

STARTER
Pupils become engaged in the lessons by thinking/working in pairs to solve a picture puzzle to find out what today’s lesson is about. After revealing the title and lesson outcomes students self assess against their current understanding of this topic. Next there is a scientific literacy Q and A activity to ensure all students learn the key words required to understand this lesson.

MAIN
Homework is set and then dispersion is demonstrated by the teacher, this is an opportunity for differentiation as high ability groups can do a short practical. There is a Q and A activity to bring out the key points.

MAIN
Dispersion is linked to the colours in a rainbow and how a rainbow is created. The standard ROY G BIV mnemonic for remembering the spectrum is introduced.

MAIN
Students study a slide which shows the sun, an apple and a girl and asks them, how is it that the girl can see that the apple is red in colour? This leads to a discussion and the revealing of how some colours are absorbed and some reflected off the apple and into the girl’s eyes so that she sees the apple as red. This progresses further into what effect different colours of light has on the colours that we see when looking at objects. Students then apply their new understanding to complete an activity and peer mark their answers.

MAIN
Students complete a practical experiment to investigate the effect of coloured filters on the colours that they can see. Next they look at the three RGB primary colours and the effects of adding them together.

PLENARY
A quiz - peer marked - which uncovers how much they have learnt during the lesson. Students self assess their understanding of this topic now they have reached the end of the lesson, and compare it to their previously self-assessed understanding at the start of the lesson. Students who need further support set themselves homework.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
A variety of activities are provided just in case any of your groups requires them either this year or in future years.

There is nothing for you to do but order the equipment for the class practical (simply hand your technician the printed off kit list.doc).

Thank you for looking, your feedback is much appreciated! :)

Lesson 4 in a series of 5.

Happy teaching,
Barclayfox.