Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan and do an investigation to find out about transparent and opaque materials.
Key learning points
- Some materials let all light pass through, these are called transparent materials and you can see through them clearly.
- Some materials do not let light through, these are called opaque materials.
- Scientists plan and carry out simple tests to find out which materials are transparent and opaque.
- The results of an investigation can be recorded in a simple table.
Keywords
Materials - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Light - We can detect light with our eyes in order to see things.
Transparent - Transparent materials are completely see-through.
Opaque - Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.
Results - The result of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.
Common misconception
In comparing the extent of a given property in two materials children may rely purely on observation rather than on active testing.
Opportunities to test each material to check if their thinking was correct.
Teacher tip
In this lesson, children will plan and carry out their transparent and opaque investigation, however, they will review the results in the follow-up lesson 9. When testing opaque materials, make the room as dark as possible so children can see whether light is passing through each material.
Equipment
Torches, pencil, paper, clipboards for materials hunt, a variety of opaque and transparent materials for children to test.
Content guidance
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Waterproof materials are useful because ...
Q2.True or false? Materials can be made waterproof by adding an extra waterproof covering.
Q3.What did Charles Macintosh invent?
Q4.Scientists today investigate waterproof materials. What does this mean?
Q5.Which part of an investigation does this table show?
Q6.Which of these materials are waterproof?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Materials that let light through are called ...
Q2.Which of these objects is made from a transparent material?
Q3.Materials that are opaque ...
Q4.Which of these objects is made from an opaque material?
Q5.Andeep is recording the results of his investigation in a ...
Q6.Lucas wants to test some materials to see if they are opaque. What should he use?
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Everyday materials unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.