Year 6 Light

Children use a ruler to draw the shape of a shadow cast by an object on a simple plan diagram. They predict and then measure the width of each shadow, and try to find what kind of set-up produces the widest shadows.

Children learn that a periscope is a device made from 2 angled mirrors that enables the user to see around obstacles. Using the template provided, along with 2 small mirrors, children construct their own simple periscope. They attempt to explain how it works.

Children learn that light rays travel in straight lines, and that mirrors can make light reflect at precise angles, depending on their own position and angle. Children look at 4 simple diagrams. They predict, and then calculate (using a ruler and protractor) the best position for a mirror, so that the viewer (a car driver) can see an object (a motorcycle headlamp). They look for patterns between different distances and angles in their diagrams.

Children learn about the main parts of the human eye, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina and optic nerve. They use this information to create and label their own diagram of a human eye, cutting and pasting the descriptions provided or writing their own.

Children learn that light travels in straight lines and can be made to follow a path by placing mirrors in its path. Children use a simple grid and position mirrors at 45° angles to make light travel through a maze. They solve 12 increasingly difficult problems, and use a blank sheet to create their own.

Children learn that we see light sources because they create light which travels in a straight line into our eyes. They learn that we can see non-light sources because light from light sources reflects (bounces) off them into our eyes. Children use a selection of images to build their own diagram showing how we see light sources and non-light sources.

Children learn that white light is a combination of different colours, and that these colours exist on the visible light spectrum. They learn how white light can be split up into its component colours. Children use a prism and a light source to create a rainbow effect and discuss how it is caused. They learn that a range of colours can be combined into white light. Children create a spinner, which they spin using either string or a pencil, to demonstrate this.

Children learn that shadows are formed when light is blocked by an opaque object, creating a pattern of light on a surface. Children investigate what happens to its shadow when an object is moved towards a light source. They predict and then measure the width of an object's shadow at different distances from the light source. Children record their information in a table and use it to create a line graph. They attempt to explain the relationship between distance and shadow width.