Lesson

How does Light Travel? Date November 26, 2019

Title/Focus
Subject/Grade Time
Grade 4 Science 60 mins
Level Duration

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General 4-1 Investigate the nature of things, demonstrating purposeful action that leads to inferences
Learning supported by observations.
Outcomes: 4-9 Identify sources of light, describe the interaction of light with different materials, and infer
the pathway of a light beam.
Specific Demonstrate that light travels outward from a source and continues unless blocked by an
Learning opaque material.
Outcomes:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Understand that light travels in a straight line.
2. Demonstrate that light travels outward until it is blocked by an opaque material.
ASSESSMENTS (How I will know students have achieved the objective(s))
 Observation of experiment
 Class discussion

Prior to the Lesson MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

 Book the art room  Index cards (x25)
 Ensure all supplies are in bags and on tables  Plasticine
 Settle all grade 4s in Mr. Firth’s classroom  Ruler (x6)
 Flashlight (x6)
 String (x6)
PROCEDURE
Introduction Time
Introduction: “Last class we looked at the angle of reflection when light reflects off of a mirror.
Today we are going to be looking at how light travels.
Expectations: The same as yesterday. I’m going to let you guys do the experiment in groups
today but that means that we all need to be respectful.
 When I am giving instructions, I need you all to listen, so everything goes smoothly
(Hands on top, that means stop to call attention)
 When you’re working as a group use your quiet voices
 Cooperate – let everyone on your team participate
Problem: Does light travel in a straight line?
Hypothesis: I think light does/does not travel in a straight line because... full sentence
Ex. I think light does not travel in a straight line because I’ve seen in curve around my hand or I
think it does travel in a straight line because it looks like a straight line when it comes from a
flashlight...
Materials: 5 index cards, plasticine, ruler, flashlight, string

Body Time
Have student’s group numbers written on their worksheet. “When we get to the art room quietly
find the table with the bag that has the same number that’s on the top of your worksheet and sit
down at that table.”

Procedure:
Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 1
 1. Support a hole-punched index card with plasticine and position it upright on the table.
2. Measure a distance of 10 cm and place the second card upright on the table. (Do not
secure it in the plasticine yet!)
3. Darken the room. Shine a light source through the hole in the first card and align the hole
in the second card so that the light shines through it. Secure the second card in place
with the plasticine.

(Break to allow them to do it. Circulate.)

4. Place a third card 10 cm from the second card. Shine a light source through the holes in
the first and second cards. Align the hole in the third card so that the light shines through
it. Secure the third card in place with the plasticine.
5. Place a fourth card 10 cm from the third card. Repeat the procedure above.

(Break to allow them to do it. Circulate.)

6. Place a fifth card (one without a hole punch) 10 cm from the fourth. Shine the light
source through the holes in the first, second, third, and fourth cards. Align the fifth card
so that the light shines on it and forms a little circle. Secure the fifth card in place with
the plasticine.

(Break to allow them to do it. Circulate.)

7. Thread a string through all the holes and describe the path of light. What do you see? (A:
light travels outward in a straight path) Record your observations on your sheet.

(Break for discussion)

8. Now, move either the second or the third card about 2 cm to the left.
9. Shine the light through the hole in the first card. Be sure to hold the flashlight close to
the card. Why doesn’t the light pass through all the cards? (A: light travels in a straight
path. It cannot curve to go through the off-center hole. It cannot pass through an opaque
material) Record your observations.

Conclusion:
Light travels in a straight path and stops when it hits an object it cannot go through.
Application: When a bright light shines in your eyes you put up your hand to stop the light from
getting to your eyes.

Travel Tube Worksheet:

“We already know the answer to number one. Beams of light travel in a straight outward path.”
Looking at the diagram to answer questions 2-4.
If the person in figure A is looking through a straw what can they see? If the straw is bent like in
figure B, what can they see?
Explain why you think they would see something different.

Closure Time

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 2

 Put supplies away in the bag they were found in and quietly line up by the door.
“Thank you for your participation today!”
Head on back to your classrooms, put your worksheets in your binder and help tidy up your
classroom.

Reflections:

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 3