Light and seeing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain that light is necessary for us to see things.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
Blindfolds, opaque materials for making dark dens.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these do plants need in order to grow and stay healthy?
Q2.Which word describes a material that lets light pass through it?
Q3.Which word describes a material that does not let light pass through it?
Q4.In summer the day length is ...
Q5.Which season has the shortest day length?
Q6.Which of these images shows shadows?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which body part do humans use to see?
Q2.What do humans need to be able to see?
Q3.Which sense do humans use when they look at things?
Q4.When it is dark, there is ...
Q5.Which image shows total darkness?
Q6.What can help Izzy to complete an obstacle course while wearing a blindfold?
To help you plan your 3 science lesson on: Light and seeing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 science lesson on: Light and seeing, 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 2 science lessons from the Introduction to light and shadows unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.