Y3 Light, Shadows & Reflections Activities

Covers: Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - Investigating Light

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 Two - Making Shadows Investigation

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 Three - Shadow Size Investigation

Activity 3

Shadow Size Investigation


  • 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 Four - Sundial Investigation

Activity 4

Sundial Investigation


  • 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 Five - Drawing Shadows

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 Six - Shadow Puppets

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 Seven - Mirrors And Reflections

Activity 7

Mirrors And Reflections


  • 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 Eight - Using Light In Art

Activity 8

Using Light In Art


  • 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 Nine - Mixing Colours Through Light

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
Activity One - Investigating Light

Activity 1
Investigating Light

Practical Resources:

  • Light In Art Activity Sheet
  • Cardboard box / shoe box
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Torch
  • Variety of everyday objects, for example:
  • Ruler / spoon / small toys

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Two - Making Shadows Investigation

Activity 2
Making Shadows Investigation

Practical Resources:

  • 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

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Three - Shadow Size Investigation

Activity 2
Shadow Size Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Four - Sundial Investigation

Activity 2
Sundial Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Five - Drawing Shadows

Activity 2
Drawing Shadows

Practical Resources:

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

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Six - Shadow Puppets

Activity 2
Shadow Puppets

Practical Resources:

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

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Seven - Mirrors & Reflections

Activity 2
Mirrors And Reflections

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

Activity Eight - Using Light In Art

Activity 8
Using Light In Art

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:


Activity Nine - Mixing Colours Through Light

Activity 9
Mixing Colours Through Light

Practical Resources:

    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

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • 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

Downloads:

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.

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