KS1 & KS2 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Introduction to light and shadows, where they explored how light creates shadows and how it is essential for seeing. In Light and how it travels, pupils will deepen their understanding by learning how light moves in straight lines, reflects, and refracts. This prepares them for the next unit, Sound, light and vision, where they will further explore how light and sound work together to allow us to see and hear, reinforcing the concepts of wave properties and sensory perception.

1. How light travels
2. Light sources and light reflectors (non-statutory)
3. Light enters our eyes
4. Reflected light
5. Changing the direction of light
6. Measuring reflected light: plan
7. Measuring reflected light: do and review
8. How shadows form
9. Shadow shapes investigation
10. The position of shadows (non-statutory)
11. Multiple shadows

• Recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light
• Notice that light is reflected from surfaces
• Recognise that light from the Sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes
• Recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object
• Find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change