PS.4.3.2
Carry out investigations to explain how light is refracted and absorbed.
Embedded Files
District Recommended Resources for 4th Grade Science
Kit rental options are available. See your administrator.
Science Phenomena Resources
Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
Dimension 1:
SEP: Plan and Carry Out Investigations:
Make observations and/or measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon.
Dimension 2:
CCC: Cause and Effect, Energy and Matter
Dimension 3:
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
Some materials allow light to pass through them, others allow only some light through, and others block all the light and create a dark shadow on any surface beyond them when the light cannot reach. Mirrors and prisms can be used to redirect a light beam. (A Framework for K-12 Science Education).
Sample Essential Questions
Sample Essential Questions
What happens to light when it passes from air through a transparent substance like water?
How does light travel?
What happens to light when it passes through different materials?
How does refraction make objects appear different?
Why does a straw look bent when placed in water?
What materials absorb light and what does that mean?
How does the color of an object affect how much light it absorbs?
Why do dark-colored objects get hotter in sunlight compared to light-colored objects?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
absorb/absorption
beam
light
light source
medium
path
ray
reflect/reflection
refract/refraction
Students will be able to...
Students will be able to...
Explain light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object.
Infer darker colors absorb more light than lighter colors.
Plan and Carry Out Investigations- Students make observations and/or measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of how light changes direction.
Students will know...
Students will know...
When light travels from one medium (air, water) into a different medium, the straight line of light changes direction slightly.
Light can be refracted, and/or absorbed.
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
The Light Show: Write a poem about the beauty of light refracting through a prism and creating a colorful display. Use descriptive language to capture the shimmering and shifting patterns of light. Rubric
The Sunset Adventure: Imagine you are sitting outside watching the sunset. Write a narrative describing how the sunlight refracts through the atmosphere, painting the sky with shades of orange, pink, and purple as the day turns to night. Rubric
Mini Projects and Investigations
The Prism Experiment: Plan and conduct an experiment to demonstrate the refraction of light using a prism. Write a scientific report detailing how you set up the experiment and what you observed. Rubric
Investigating Light Absorption with Different Materials: Plan and conduct an experiment to demonstrate how different materials absorb light energy. Create a chart recording the results of the experiment. Write a summary explaining the results. Rubric
Exploring Light: reflection, absorption, refraction hands on activity
NCDPI Formative Assessment Samples
Mastery Connect
Mastery Connect
PS.4.3.1 and PS.4.3.2 Summative - Stephens-WCS
Culminating Activity
The Solar Cooker: Research how solar cookers use the absorption of sunlight to heat food. Write a report explaining how solar cookers work and why they are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooking methods. Rubric
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Possible Activating Strategies
Anchor Chart
Think-Pair-Share
Why do some objects look darker or lighter under different lights?
Outdoor Observations
Take students outside to observe how sunlight interacts with different surfaces and objects. Discuss why some materials or colors feel warmer or cooler in the sun.
Additional Literacy Connections
Read Alouds:
ReadWorks (free account required)
Videos:
Page updated
Report abuse