You will learn
- Name artificial light sources.
- Tell natural and artificial light apart.
- Use a torch safely.
- Say why artificial light is useful.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Artificial light is made by people.
- Lamps, torches and candles are artificial light sources.
- Artificial light helps us at night.
- We do not touch hot bulbs or main electricity.
Words to know
made by people
a small light we carry
a light we use indoors
a small power store inside a torch
1. Discover: The power cut
The power goes off. The house is dark. Kola’s mother gets a torch. She shines it on the table. “Artificial light helps us when the Sun is not shining,” she says. Kola keeps away from the candle.
Think: What artificial light did Kola’s mother use?
2. Understand: Made light
Idea 1: Artificial light
Artificial light is made by people. A lamp, a torch, a street light and a TV screen give artificial light. Some work with a battery and some with electricity.
Idea 2: Why we use it
We use artificial light at night, in dark rooms and in places the Sun does not reach. Street lights help drivers. Torches help us find our way.
Idea 3: Using it safely
We do not touch hot bulbs or sockets. We do not play with matches or candles. An adult turns lamps on and off. We use a torch with care and do not shine it in eyes.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Artificial or natural?
A torch and the Sun.
- The Sun is natural.
- A torch is made by people.
- A torch is artificial.
Answer: A torch is an artificial light source.
Example 2 (We do it together): Why a torch?
A dark path at night.
- We cannot see well.
- A torch gives light.
- It helps us walk safely.
Answer: A torch helps us see at night.
Example 3 (You try): Safety
A hot bulb.
Show the steps and answer
- It may burn.
- Do not touch.
- Tell an adult.
Answer: Do not touch hot bulbs.
Did you know?
The first electric light bulbs were made in the 1800s. Before that, people used candles and oil lamps.
Why this matters
Artificial light lets us work, study and travel after dark.
4. Explore: Torch tests
Use a torch to see inside a dark box.
- An adult gives a safe torch.
- Shine it through the hole of a dark box.
- Look inside.
- Switch it off.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? The torch lets us see in the dark box.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A torch is ___.
- A lamp is used ___.
- A street light helps ___.
- We do not touch a hot ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. Name an artificial light.
Lamp, torch or street light.
Question 2. Who makes artificial light?
People.
Question 3. What does a torch need?
Batteries.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Name an artificial light.
- Who makes artificial light?
- What does a torch need?
- Do we touch hot bulbs?
- Is the Sun artificial?
Level 2: Grow
- Why use a torch at night?
- Name two natural and two artificial lights.
- Why do we not play with matches?
Level 3: Stretch
- Explain why street lights are useful.
- Sort: lamp, firefly, torch, Sun.
- Make a poster on light safety.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
What artificial lights are in your school?
Show a sample answer
Bulbs, lamps and torches.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Some are made by people.
Fix: Hot bulbs can burn.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can name artificial light sources.
- I can tell natural and artificial light apart.
- I can use a torch safely.
- I can say why artificial light is useful.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Artificial light is made by people.
- Lamps, torches and candles are artificial light sources.
- Artificial light helps us at night.
- We do not touch hot bulbs or main electricity.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Light and darkness. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is artificial light? [1 mark]
- Name three artificial light sources. [3 marks]
- Why is a torch useful? [2 marks]
- Give two light safety rules. [2 marks]
- Sort the Sun, a lamp, a firefly and a torch. [4 marks]
Total: 12 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Light made by people [1]
- Any three [1 each]
- Light in the dark [1]; easy to carry [1]
- Any two [1 each]
- Sun N [1]; firefly N [1]; lamp A [1]; torch A [1]
Score guide: 11 to 12 = secure. 8 to 10 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 8 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Name an artificial light.
- Who makes artificial light?
- What does a torch need?
- Do we touch hot bulbs?
- Is the Sun artificial?
- Why use a torch at night?
- Name two natural and two artificial lights.
- Why do we not play with matches?
- Explain why street lights are useful.
- Sort: lamp, firefly, torch, Sun.
Homework
Find five artificial lights at home. Draw them and write who made them. Do not touch hot bulbs.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Name an artificial light. | Lamp, torch or street light. | 1 |
| 2. Who makes artificial light? | People. | 1 |
| 3. What does a torch need? | Batteries. | 1 |
| 4. Do we touch hot bulbs? | No. | 1 |
| 5. Is the Sun artificial? | No. | 1 |
| 6. Why use a torch at night? | To see. | 1 |
| 7. Name two natural and two artificial lights. | Natural: Sun, stars. Artificial: lamp, torch. | 1 |
| 8. Why do we not play with matches? | They can cause fires. | 1 |
| 9. Explain why street lights are useful. | They help us see at night. | 1 |
| 10. Sort: lamp, firefly, torch, Sun. | Artificial: lamp, torch. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Lamp, torch or street light.; 2 People.; 3 Batteries.; 4 No.; 5 No.. Level 2: 1 To see.; 2 Natural: Sun, stars. Artificial: lamp, torch.; 3 They can cause fires.. Level 3: 1 They help us see at night.; 2 Artificial: lamp, torch.; 3 Three rules..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Name artificial light sources | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Tell natural and artificial light apart | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use a torch safely | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Say why artificial light is useful | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “All lights are natural.” Some are made by people.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use pictures. Sort natural and artificial lights.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns about artificial light sources and how to use them safely. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Point out lights in your home.
- Ask, “Is it natural or artificial?”
- Use a torch together safely.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: name artificial light sources; tell natural and artificial light apart; use a torch safely; say why artificial light is useful.
Prerequisite knowledge. None. Learners should be able to look, listen and talk about what they notice.
Materials. A safe battery torch, a dark box, pictures of lights, chart paper. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Check that the torch works. Make a sorting chart. Remind learners about safety.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Ask, “What do we use when the Sun goes down?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach artificial light.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners use a torch with the box.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners sort natural and artificial light.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Who made this light? Is it safe?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “All lights are natural.” Some are made by people.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 12-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use pictures. Sort natural and artificial lights. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 1 Unit 8, topic 3; Next Generation Science Standards, waves: light and sound; Cambridge Primary Science Stage 1, light and sound; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.