New
New
Lesson 1 of 12
New
New
- Year 3
Light and seeing
I can explain that light is necessary for us to see things.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- We use our eyes to see objects.
- We need light to be able to see.
- Darkness is when there is there no light.
- We often need to rely on other senses when there is no light.
Keywords
Eye - The eyes are the organs with which we see.
See - We use our sense of sight to see things. We use our eyes to see.
Light - We can detect light with our eyes in order to see things.
Dark - Dark means without light.
Common misconception
Humans can see without light.
Explanation of how humans can see with a little light but cannot see when no light is present.
If possible, use a sensory room or tent to make a dark den for Task A. Ensure pupils understand that it is only dark when there is no light and they cannot see, which may be hard to achieve.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Blindfolds, opaque materials for making dark dens.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these do plants need in order to grow and stay healthy?
Which of these do plants need in order to grow and stay healthy?
love
darkness
Q2.Which word describes a material that lets light pass through it?
Which word describes a material that lets light pass through it?
smooth
opaque
Q3.Which word describes a material that does not let light pass through it?
Which word describes a material that does not let light pass through it?
transparent
waterproof
Q4.In summer the day length is ...
In summer the day length is ...
shorter.
the same as every other season.
Q5.Which season has the shortest day length?
Which season has the shortest day length?
Q6.Which of these images shows shadows?
Which of these images shows shadows?
image 1
image 3
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which body part do humans use to see?
Which body part do humans use to see?
skin
ears
Q2.What do humans need to be able to see?
What do humans need to be able to see?
noise
smell
Q3.Which sense do humans use when they look at things?
Which sense do humans use when they look at things?
taste
touch
Q4.When it is dark, there is ...
When it is dark, there is ...
a little light.
a lot of light.
Q5.Which image shows total darkness?
Which image shows total darkness?
image 1
image 3
Q6.What can help Izzy to complete an obstacle course while wearing a blindfold?
What can help Izzy to complete an obstacle course while wearing a blindfold?
Sniffing each obstacle.
Looking where she is going.
