Y5/6 (A): Energy: Light and reflection
Exploring how light travels in straight lines and that this explains observations of shadows and reflection.
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Compare sources of light and explain how the eye is protected from light.
- Describe how light travels and how we see luminous and non-luminous objects.
- Recall factors that affect the size of a shadow and describe how the distance between an object and the surface its shadow is cast on affects the size of the shadow.
- Use ray diagrams to explain why shadows change size and why the shape of a shadow matches the object that was cast.
- Recall what happens to light when it reaches a smooth mirror surface.
- Identify the incoming and reflected rays and describe the relationship between their angles.
- Use mirrors to make a working periscope and explain how a periscope works using ray diagrams.
- Recall a range of uses of mirrors and reflection, describe how a mirror reflects light in different situations and explain how light is reflected using knowledge of light and reflection.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Make observations about the properties of light.
- Use my observations as evidence to support conclusions about light.
- Draw ray diagrams.
- Pose testable questions in response to observations.
- Record my measurements as a line graph.
- Use my line graph to extrapolate data and make predictions about missing values.
- Recall various jobs or inventions that use mirrors and reflection.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Y3/4 (A): Energy: Light and shadows
Get startedLessons
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: The pathway of light
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 2: See the light
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 3: Measuring shadows
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: Reflecting light
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: Making a periscope
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 6: Using mirrors
Key skills
Key knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Cardboard tubes ×15
- Small objects such as coins or dice. ×15
-
Short lengths of hose or opaque tubing
×1 - Torches ×8
-
A6-size card with holes pierced through
×30 - Rulers ×30
- Mirrors ×30
-
String or ribbon
×1 -
Toys with eyes, such as teddy bears or dolls
×1 -
Coloured acetate (or cut up coloured translucent folders).
×8 - A football ×1
-
Opaque black card or paper
×8 - Lollipop sticks ×30
- Modelling clay ×30
-
Assorted shaped objects
×8 - Protractors ×15
-
Glue dots or double-sided tape
×1 - Cuboid cardboard packaging ×1
The equipment below is optional
-
Bulldog clips
×8 - Glass of water ×1
-
Arrow drawn on paper in marker pen
×1 -
Large plastic bottle filled with water
×1 - Something to pierce a hole in the bottle ×1
- Laser pointer ×1
-
Bucket or container to catch the stream of water
×1 - Fibre optic light ×1
- Screens to divide the classroom ×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Cardboard tubes ×15
- Small objects such as coins or dice. ×15
-
Short lengths of hose or opaque tubing
×1 - Torches ×8
-
A6-size card with holes pierced through
×30 - Rulers ×30
- Mirrors ×30
-
String or ribbon
×1 -
Toys with eyes, such as teddy bears or dolls
×1 -
Coloured acetate (or cut up coloured translucent folders).
×8 - A football ×1
-
Opaque black card or paper
×8 - Lollipop sticks ×30
- Modelling clay ×30
-
Assorted shaped objects
×8 - Protractors ×15
-
Glue dots or double-sided tape
×1 - Cuboid cardboard packaging ×1
The equipment below is optional
-
Bulldog clips
×8 - Glass of water ×1
-
Arrow drawn on paper in marker pen
×1 -
Large plastic bottle filled with water
×1 - Something to pierce a hole in the bottle ×1
- Laser pointer ×1
-
Bucket or container to catch the stream of water
×1 - Fibre optic light ×1
- Screens to divide the classroom ×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Science Y5/6 (A): Energy: Light and reflection
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the mixed-age unit ‘Light and reflection’.
Vocabulary display – Science Y5/6 (A): Energy: Light and reflection
A display version of the mixed-age unit vocabulary from the unit 'Light and reflection'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Spoken language; Writing – composition.
Mathematics: Number – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; Statistics
History.
Art and design.
British values: Mutual respect; Democracy; Rule of law.