You will learn
- Name natural and artificial light sources.
- Tell sources from objects that only reflect light.
- Explain how we see.
- Sort light sources.
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
- A light source gives out light.
- The Sun is a natural source; a torch is artificial.
- The Moon reflects light; it is not a source.
- We see when light reaches our eyes.
Words to know
something that gives out light
made by nature
made by people
to bounce light back
1. Discover: The dark cupboard
Abena shuts herself in a dark cupboard with a toy. She sees nothing. When she turns on a torch, the toy appears. “I could not see until there was light,” she says. “And the torch made the light.”
Think: What gave out the light?
2. Understand: Where light comes from
Idea 1: Light sources
A light source gives out its own light. The Sun, stars, fire, torches, bulbs and fireflies are sources.
Idea 2: Natural and artificial
Natural sources are made by nature: the Sun, stars, lightning. Artificial sources are made by people: bulbs, torches, candles.
Idea 3: Reflecting and seeing
The Moon, mirrors and books do not make light; they reflect it. We see an object when light from it reaches our eyes.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Source?
Torch or book?
- Torch gives light.
- Book reflects.
- Torch is a source.
Answer: A torch is a light source.
Example 2 (We do it together): Natural or artificial?
Sun and bulb.
- Sun: natural.
- Bulb: artificial.
- Two kinds.
Answer: Sun natural; bulb artificial.
Example 3 (You try): See
A toy in the dark.
Show the steps and answer
- No light.
- Cannot see.
- Add light.
Answer: We need light to see.
Did you know?
Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
Why this matters
Light lets us see, grow food and stay safe at night.
4. Explore: Light source sort
Sort cards into light sources and reflectors.
- Lay out picture cards.
- Sort into two groups.
- Test a mirror in a dark box with an adult.
- Record.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Mirrors reflect but do not make light.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A light source gives out ___.
- The Sun is a ___ source.
- A bulb is an ___ source.
- The Moon ___ light.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a light source?
Something that gives light.
Question 2. Name a natural source.
Sun.
Question 3. Name an artificial source.
Bulb.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is a light source?
- Name a natural source.
- Name an artificial source.
- Does the Moon make light?
- What do we need to see?
Level 2: Grow
- Why can we see the Moon?
- Why can we not see in the dark?
- Is a mirror a source?
Level 3: Stretch
- Sort ten items.
- Explain how we see.
- Draw natural and artificial sources.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
What light sources are near you?
Show a sample answer
Sun and lamps.
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: It reflects sunlight.
Fix: Light enters our eyes.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can name natural and artificial light sources.
- I can tell sources from objects that only reflect light.
- I can explain how we see.
- I can sort light sources.
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
- A light source gives out light.
- The Sun is a natural source; a torch is artificial.
- The Moon reflects light; it is not a source.
- We see when light reaches our eyes.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Light and shadows. 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.
- Name two natural sources. [2 marks]
- Name two artificial sources. [2 marks]
- Why can we see the Moon? [2 marks]
- How do we see? [2 marks]
- Safety rule? [1 mark]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Any two [1 each]
- Any two [1 each]
- Reflects [1]; sunlight [1]
- Light reaches eyes [1]; from source or reflector [1]
- Never look at the Sun [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is a light source?
- Name a natural source.
- Name an artificial source.
- Does the Moon make light?
- What do we need to see?
- Why can we see the Moon?
- Why can we not see in the dark?
- Is a mirror a source?
- Sort ten items.
- Explain how we see.
Homework
List ten light sources at home. Sort them into natural and artificial.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is a light source? | Something that gives light. | 1 |
| 2. Name a natural source. | Sun. | 1 |
| 3. Name an artificial source. | Bulb. | 1 |
| 4. Does the Moon make light? | No. | 1 |
| 5. What do we need to see? | Light. | 1 |
| 6. Why can we see the Moon? | It reflects sunlight. | 1 |
| 7. Why can we not see in the dark? | No light. | 1 |
| 8. Is a mirror a source? | No, it reflects. | 1 |
| 9. Sort ten items. | Two groups. | 1 |
| 10. Explain how we see. | Light reaches eyes. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Something that gives light.; 2 Sun.; 3 Bulb.; 4 No.; 5 Light.. Level 2: 1 It reflects sunlight.; 2 No light.; 3 No, it reflects.. Level 3: 1 Two groups.; 2 Light reaches eyes.; 3 Drawings..
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 natural and 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 sources from objects that only reflect light | 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 Explain how we see | 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 Sort 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 |
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: “The Moon makes light.” It reflects sunlight.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Sort six items into sources and reflectors.
- 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 sources of light. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Find light sources at home.
- Ask, “Natural or artificial?”
- Look at the Moon (not the Sun).
- 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 natural and artificial light sources; tell sources from objects that only reflect light; explain how we see; sort light sources.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 1 ideas: light and shadows, sounds around us and what makes sound.
Materials. Cards, torches, mirrors, boxes and tables. 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. Prepare a dark box. Prepare cards.
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). Cover your eyes and ask, “What do we need to see?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach light sources.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners sort.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners test.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Is it a source? Natural or artificial?
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. “The Moon makes light.” It reflects sunlight.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-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. Sort six items into sources and reflectors. 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 2 Unit 9, topic 1; Next Generation Science Standards, waves and energy (1-PS4 light and sound foundations); Cambridge Primary Science Stage 2, light, sound and energy; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.