Light and Ice

Grade Level

1st Grade

Duration

25 minutes

Class Size

13 students

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Standards Alignment

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – Crosswalk with Common Core Literacy:

• 1-PS4-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7: Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Describe what happens when light shines through transparent objects (specifically ice).
2. Identify how colored light passes through transparent ice, creating different visual effects.
3. Complete a fill-in-the-blank activity to demonstrate comprehension.
4. Draw and illustrate the movement of light through an ice sculpture using arrows.

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Materials Needed

• Access to the "Science Today" video: Stem Scopes Grade 1 Bundle 4 > Behavior of Light > Elaborate > Science Today
• Student Handouts with fill-in-the-blank questions and drawing template
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers for teacher facilitation

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Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief question: “Have you ever seen light shining through something like a window or water? What happened?”
• Connect to today’s exploration: “Today, we will watch how light shines through ice sculptures and see amazing colors appear!”
• Explain key vocabulary: transparent (can see through) and light (helps us see things).

2. Video Viewing (5 minutes)

• Show the “Science Today” video focusing on the ice sculpture and colored lights.
• Instruct students to watch carefully to notice what colors appear and what happens when light shines on the ice.

3. Guided Discussion (5 minutes)

• Ask targeted questions:
  • “What happens when light shines through the ice sculptures?”
  • “What colors did you see in the ice?”
  • “How can we explain why the ice looked like it had different colors?”
• Facilitate students' thinking by confirming that ice is transparent and that different colored lights made the sculptures look colorful.

4. Student Handout Activity (8 minutes)

• Distribute the Student Handout that includes:
  • Fill-in-the-blank questions based on the video:
    1. We ____________ see through most of the ice.
    2. _____________ was passing through the ice.
    3. Some of the sculptures had bright colors. What caused this?
  • Drawing task: “Draw a picture to show how light moves through the brightly colored ice sculptures. Use arrows to show the light.”
• Circulate and provide support as students complete the activity.

5. Wrap-Up and Review (2 minutes)

• Invite 2-3 students to share their drawings and answers aloud.
• Reinforce how light travels through transparent objects and how colored lights create different effects.
• Praise effort and curiosity to connect science to the real-world.

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Differentiation and Extensions

For struggling students:

• Provide sentence starters or word banks for fill-in-the-blank.
• Pair them with a peer for drawing assistance.

For advanced learners:

• Prompt them to predict what might happen if the ice was not transparent or if the light was white instead of colored.

Extension Activity:

• In a future lesson, use simple flashlights and colored cellophane to let students shine different colors of light through transparent plastic sheets to recreate the ice sculpture effect hands-on.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during discussion and completion of the Student Handout.
• Check for understanding by reviewing the accuracy of fill-in-the-blanks and the concept represented in their drawings.
• Use students’ verbal responses in wrap-up for additional comprehension check.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did students grasp the concept of transparency and how light passes through objects?
• Were the visual media and discussion engaging enough?
• How effectively did the drawing task help students express their understanding of light movement?
• What modifications might improve clarity or engagement for future lessons?

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This lesson encourages scientific observation and integrates literacy through multimedia, supporting Common Core standards while making science accessible and captivating for young learners.