Light

Pupils should be taught to:
• recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines;
• use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye;
• explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes;
• use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them.

Y6 Light; Light and Light Sources

Resource Details

A PowerPoint presentation used to introduce pupils to light and the range of light sources, natural and artificial that produce light. The PowerPoint can be used at the beginning of the topic or during it to stimulate scientific discussions, ideas and theories.

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Y6 Light; How we See Things

Resource Details

A PowerPoint presentation used to introduce pupils to light and how the eye uses light to see things. The PowerPoint can be used at the beginning of the topic or during it to stimulate scientific discussions, ideas and theories.

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Y6 The Human Eye

Resource Details

Pupils learn about the main structures of the eye and the jobs they carry out. They learn how the eye works and enables us to see.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes

Y6 Structure of Eye

Resource Details

Pupils learn about the structure of the eye by completing a cross sectional diagram. They learn that light reays are reflected into the eye and this is what helps us to see.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves, including light sources, reflection and refraction

Y6 Structure and Function of the Eye

Resource Details

Pupils learn about the structure and function of the eye and how it helps us to see.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes

Y6 Cross-section of the Eye

Resource Details

Pupils learn about the basic structure of the eye.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes

Y6 Seeing Things

Resource Details

Pupils learn that we can see things because light rays from a light source reflect of objects and then enter our eyes. They learn about the basic structure of the eye and how it allows light rays to enter it and form an image on the retina.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS - pupils should identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments

Y6 Looking at Shadows

Resource Details

Pupils investigate the formation of shadows and how the shape and size of a shadow can change according to the position of the light source, object and surface producing the shadow.


Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them, and to predict the size of shadows when the position of the light source changes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS – pupils should take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision; report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

Y6 Investigating Shadows

Resource Details

Pupils investigate how shadows are formed and how the position of the light source and the object creating the shadow have an effect on the size and shape of the shadow.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them, and to predict the size of shadows when the position of the light source changes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS - pupils should take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision; report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

Y6 Reflective Materials

Resource Details

Pupils learn that objects that do not produce light but can still be seen in the presence of a light source are called 'reflectors'. Pupils complete an investigation into a range of reflectors and learn that some materials are better reflectors than others. Pupils also learn that reflective materials can be used for a range of different jobs.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS – pupils should identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments; report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

Y6 Light and Mirrors

Resource Details

Pupils learn that mirrors reflect light and that mirrors can be used for a variety of purposes. Pupils then investigate what happens to a beam of light when it shines onto a mirror from a number of different angles.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS - pupils should identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments; report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

Y6 Light Travels in Straight Lines

Resource Details

Pupils learn that light travelling from a light source will always travel in a straight line and that light reflecting off an object, reflects off it at the same angle it shines onto it.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - understand that light appears to travel in straight lines; use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye; explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes
  • NaG - pupils should explore the way that light behaves
  • WS - pupils should identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments