Light, Shadows and Reflections | Free Worksheets

Activity	Resources	Relation to National Curriculum
Activity 1 Investigating Light	Light In Art Activity Sheet Cardboard box / shoe box Scissors Pencil Torch Variety of everyday objects, for example: Ruler / spoon / small toys	Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes Sc3/4.1a recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light
Activity 2 Making Shadows Investigation	Making Shadows Investigation Sheet Light source: torch / lamp Pencil Magnifying glass Objects made from different materials Possible objects to investigate: Book Glass Tissue paper Plastic bottle Metal spoon	Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions Sc3/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Activity 3 Shadow Size Investigation	Shadow Size Investigation Sheet Plain white paper Torch Blu tac Measuring tape / ruler Interesting object(s) Pencil	Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions Sc3/1.7 using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change Ma3/3.1a measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm) Ma3/4.1a interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables
Activity 4 Sundial Investigation	Sundial Investigation Activity Sheet A3 / A4 paper Plasticine / Blu tac 2 Pencils Ruler / tape measure	Ma3/3.1a measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm) Ma3/4.1a interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions Sc3/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions Sc3/4.1c recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Activity 5 Drawing Shadows	White paper Coloured paper Interesting shaped object or toy Light source: sun / torch / lamp Pencil Scissors Glue	Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Activity 6 Shadow Puppets	Large cardboard box Scissors White tissue paper Tape Lamp / torch Optional: Paint	Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Activity 7 Mirrors And Reflections	Reflection Hunt Variety of objects made from different materials I Spy Mirror Variety of objects Shapes Shape Reflections Activity Sheet Crayons / coloured pens 1 or 2 mirrors Mirror Maze Mirror Maze Activity Sheet Hand mirror Pencil	Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries Sc4/1.9 using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings Sc3/4.1b notice that light is reflected from surfaces
Activity 8 Using Light In Art	Light In Art Video Light In Art Activity Sheet Washable felt tip pens White paper Water spray	Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials Ar2/1.3 about great artists, architects and designers in history
Activity 9 Mixing Colours Through Light	Investigate White paper Blu tac 3 clear jars Water Food colouring: red / blue / yellow 1 or 2 torches Lantern Glass jar Coloured tissue paper Glue Tea light	Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations

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Activity

Resources

Relation to National Curriculum

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Activity 1

Investigating Light

Light In Art Activity Sheet
Cardboard box / shoe box
Scissors
Pencil
Torch
Ruler / spoon / small toys

Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
Sc3/4.1a recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light

Activity 2

Making Shadows Investigation

Making Shadows Investigation Sheet
Light source: torch / lamp
Pencil
Magnifying glass
Objects made from different materials
Book
Glass
Tissue paper
Plastic bottle
Metal spoon

Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
Sc3/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change

Activity 3

Shadow Size Investigation

Shadow Size Investigation Sheet
Plain white paper
Torch
Blu tac
Measuring tape / ruler
Interesting object(s)
Pencil

Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
Sc3/1.7 using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Ma3/3.1a measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm)
Ma3/4.1a interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables

Activity 4

Sundial Investigation

Sundial Investigation Activity Sheet
A3 / A4 paper
Plasticine / Blu tac
2 Pencils
Ruler / tape measure

Ma3/3.1a measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm)
Ma3/4.1a interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables
Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
Sc3/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
Sc3/4.1c recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change

Activity 5

Drawing Shadows

White paper
Coloured paper
Interesting shaped object or toy
Light source: sun / torch / lamp
Pencil
Scissors
Glue

Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change

Activity 6

Shadow Puppets

Large cardboard box
Scissors
White tissue paper
Tape
Lamp / torch
Paint

Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object

Activity 7

Mirrors And Reflections

Reflection Hunt

Variety of objects made from different materials

I Spy

Mirror
Variety of objects

Shapes

Shape Reflections Activity Sheet
Crayons / coloured pens
1 or 2 mirrors

Mirror Maze

Mirror Maze Activity Sheet
Hand mirror
Pencil

Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries
Sc4/1.9 using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings
Sc3/4.1b notice that light is reflected from surfaces

Activity 8

Using Light In Art

Light In Art Video
Light In Art Activity Sheet
Washable felt tip pens
White paper
Water spray

Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials
Ar2/1.3 about great artists, architects and designers in history

Activity 9

Mixing Colours Through Light

Investigate

White paper
Blu tac
3 clear jars
Water
Food colouring: red / blue / yellow
1 or 2 torches

Lantern

Glass jar
Coloured tissue paper
Glue
Tea light

Ar2/1.2 to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials
Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations

Light, Shadow and Reflections Free Activities

Let's take a look at some fun and engaging activities that can help teach children about light, shadow, and reflections.

To begin, a great way to investigate light is by making a shadow investigation. You can do this by setting up a light source and placing different objects in front of it to see the shadows they create. Another fun activity is the shadow size activity, where children can explore how the size of an object affects the size of its shadow.

If you want to take it a step further, you can make a sundial with your students. This activity not only teaches them about shadows but also helps them understand the movement of the sun throughout the day. Drawing shadows is also a great way to help children identify scientific evidence and think critically about how light interacts with objects.

For a more creative activity, try making shadow puppets. This activity not only teaches children about shadows but also helps them develop their imagination and storytelling skills. Finally, don't forget about mirrors and reflections. These concepts show essential aspects of understanding light and can be taught through simple activities such as reflecting light off a mirror.

We hope these ideas have been helpful and inspiring for your lessons on light, shadow, and reflection. Remember, learning should be fun and engaging, and Hands-On Education is here to help you achieve that.