Light Waves: Properties & Behaviour

Overview

Year Group: KS2 (Years 5-6) / KS3 (Year 7)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 8 students
Unit: Waves: Sound and Light (Lesson 6 of 7)
Subject: Science
Curriculum Link: National Curriculum for Science - Physics - Light (Years 5-7)

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT understand how light travels in straight lines.
WALT explore and identify the properties of light: reflection, refraction, and absorption.
WALT investigate how prisms and mirrors alter the path of light.
WALT communicate scientific observations clearly using key scientific vocabulary.

National Curriculum Links

KS2 - Year 6: Pupils should be taught that light travels in straight lines and how it behaves when it encounters different materials (reflection, refraction, absorption). (Physics: Light)
KS3 - Year 7: Pupils should build on previous knowledge to explain reflection and refraction in terms of how light waves behave.
Develop their scientific enquiry skills through practical investigations, observing, measuring, and recording.

Success Criteria

I can explain that light travels in straight lines.
I can describe how light reflects off surfaces and how it bends (refracts) through different materials.
I can observe and explain how light is absorbed by different colours or surfaces.
I use scientific words like reflection, refraction, absorption, prism, and mirror correctly.
I can work safely and ask relevant questions.

Resources Needed

Small mirrors (one per pair)
Glass prisms (one per pair)
Torches or strong light sources
White screens or plain white paper
Different coloured materials/fabrics for absorption demo (dark and light colours)
Worksheets with key scientific terms and dyslexia-friendly font
Visual aids/posters illustrating light behaviour
Experiment observation sheets

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Starter Question: “How does light help us see things?” (Quick think-pair-share)
Show a torch beam in a dimmed room to demonstrate light travelling in straight lines.
Brief recap: What did we learn in previous lessons about waves and light? (Link to earlier in unit)

2. Main Teaching & Demonstration (10 minutes)

Activity 1: Reflection with Mirrors

Pairs use mirrors and torches to shine light onto flat surfaces.
Observe the angle the light bounces off (reflects).
Teacher explains ‘angle of incidence’ and ‘angle of reflection’ using simplified language and diagrams.
Dyslexia-friendly prompt cards with definitions and pictorial support distributed.

Activity 2: Refraction with Prisms

Pupils observe a torch beam passing through a glass prism onto a white screen/paper.
Notice the light bends and splits into colours.
Discuss why light bends (changing medium: air to glass) in simplified terms.
Show a short teacher-led demonstration refracting light through a water-filled container for comparison.

Activity 3: Absorption and Colour

Place different coloured fabrics in the light beam.
Observe how some colours absorb more light (warm to touch), some reflect (stay cooler).
Discuss why objects are different colours based on light absorption/reflection.

3. Group Discussion and Concept Reinforcement (5 minutes)

Recap key terms: reflection, refraction, absorption.
Create a mind map on board with student input linking each property to real-life examples (mirrors, rainbows, dark clothes on a sunny day).

4. Assessment and Plenary (5 minutes)

Each student completes a short exit card:
Q1: Describe one way light behaves when it hits a surface.
Q2: What happens to light when it passes through a prism?
Quick oral feedback from teacher on some answers.

Differentiation Strategies

Group	Strategy
Dyslexic learners	Dyslexia-friendly worksheets, use of coloured overlays, short sentences, large font, pictorial support.
Autism spectrum	Clear routine of lesson steps, use visuals for each concept, provide a quiet work corner if needed.
ADHD learners	Hands-on activities, quick transitions, allow movement breaks within experiments.
FASD & ODD	Structured choice activities, frequent positive feedback, clear behaviour expectations at start.
Advanced learners	Challenge: Predict and explain how light behaves when hitting curved mirrors or lenses (extension sheet).

Extension Activities

Investigate rainbows: pupils use prisms outside to see how water droplets might create rainbows in sunlight.
Set up a mini investigation: “How does the colour of a surface affect the temperature after light exposure?” Data logging and graphing over several days.
Research project: Explore historical scientists who studied light (e.g., Isaac Newton) and create a short presentation.

Teacher Notes

Keep explanations visually rich and concise—avoid abstract long explanations.
Experiment in well-lit but controllable light environment (dimmed room for prisms, reflective activities).
Encourage scientific curiosity by asking thought-provoking questions.
Use multi-sensory instruction to support diverse learning needs (visual, tactile, auditory).
Use positive behaviour reinforcement suitable for ADHD/FASD/ODD, e.g. sticker chart for participation and focus.

Assessment of Learning

Formative: Observation during activities, questioning, understanding in discussions.
Summative: Exit cards responses aligned to learning objectives.
Use observations to plan final lesson (Lesson 7) and review misconceptions.

End of Lesson Plan