Understanding Light and Dark

Lesson Overview

• Subject: Science
• Year Group: Year 2
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Class Size: 9 students
• UK Curriculum Area: Year 2 Science – Uses of Everyday Materials (including how light helps us see and how darkness is the absence of light)

Learning Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand what light is and its role in allowing us to see.
• Recognise the difference between light and dark.
• Identify common light sources.

Resources Needed

• Torches (1 per pair)
• Blackout box (cardboard box with a small hole)
• A selection of objects (colourful paper, toy, mirror, white paper, etc.)
• A darkened area (or blackout blinds if available)
• Whiteboard and markers
• A simple storybook related to light and dark (e.g., Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 Minutes) – Think and Talk

Engage with a Question

Begin by turning off some lights in the classroom and ask: "What is light? What happens when it's dark?"
Encourage students to share their ideas. Some might mention sunlight, torches, or lamps.

Mini Story Time

Read a short excerpt from Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? where Little Bear is afraid of the dark. Ask, “Why do you think Little Bear feels that way?”

Key Concept: Light helps us see. Darkness is the absence of light.

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2. Main Activity (25 Minutes) – Hands-On Exploration

Activity 1: Light and Dark Boxes (10 Minutes)

1. Show students a closed cardboard box with a small hole.
2. Ask: “Can we see what’s inside?”
3. Let students shine a torch in and observe how it helps them see objects.
4. Discuss: “What made the difference?” (The light!)

Activity 2: Light Sources Hunt (10 Minutes)

1. Give each pair a small torch.

2. Ask them to explore which objects in the room glow or reflect light when the torch shines on them.

3. Draw a simple table on the whiteboard:

   Object	Light Source? (Yes/No)	Reflects Light? (Yes/No)
   Mirror	No	Yes
   Torch	Yes	No

4. Discuss findings and summarise: "Some things give off light (light sources), and others reflect it!"

Activity 3: Light, Shadows and Darkness (5 Minutes)

1. Shine a torch behind different objects and let students observe how shadows form.
2. Ask: "Why does a shadow appear?" (Because light is blocked.)
3. Allow students time to experiment creating different shadow shapes with their hands.

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3. Reflection and Recap (10 Minutes) – What Have We Learned?

• Quick Stand-Up Quiz

  • Hold up an item (e.g., a torch, book, mirror) and ask, “Is this a light source?”
  • Have students give a thumbs-up if they think yes, thumbs-down if no.

• Discussion Questions:

  1. Can we see without light?
  2. What are some natural light sources? (e.g., Sun, candles)
  3. How do shadows form?

• Exit Question:
  Each student must answer "What is one new thing you learned today?" before they leave.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during activities
• Accuracy in identifying light sources and reflective objects
• Student participation in discussions

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Extension Idea (For Early Finishers)

Encourage students to draw a picture of a room during the day and the same room at night. Ask them to show where the light comes from in each.

This hands-on, highly engaging approach ensures students understand the core concept of light while having fun experimenting.