Grade 4 Science: Light and Shadows
Free Grade 4 Science unit on Light and Shadows: 10 lessons in order, starting with Light sources. Includes practice questions and answer keys.
10 lessons in this unit
Light sources
Learn that light sources make their own light, tell them apart from objects that only reflect light, and compare natural and artificial sources.
Lesson 2Light travelling in straight lines
Learn that light travels in straight lines, test this with a card-and-torch investigation, and explain why we cannot see around corners.
Lesson 3Reflection
Learn that light bounces off surfaces in reflection, that shiny smooth surfaces reflect best, and use a simple torch-and-mirror test to see the angle rule.
Lesson 4Mirrors
Learn how plane mirrors make images that look reversed left to right, how mirrors change the direction of light, and how mirror devices such as periscopes work.
Lesson 5Transparent materials
Learn that transparent materials let almost all light through so we see clearly, and explore uses such as windows, glasses and lenses.
Lesson 6Translucent materials
Learn that translucent materials let some light through but scatter it, so we see blurred shapes, and compare them with transparent and opaque materials.
Lesson 7Opaque materials
Learn that opaque materials block all light so nothing can be seen through them, and sort materials into transparent, translucent and opaque groups.
Lesson 8Shadows
Learn that a shadow forms when an opaque object blocks light, find the three things needed (source, object and screen), and explain why shadows have the same shape as the object.
Lesson 9Shadow changes
Learn that shadow size, length and sharpness change with the distance between source and object and with the position of the source, and measure these changes.
Lesson 10Light investigations
Learn to plan and run a full investigation about light, such as how shadow size changes with distance, using fair testing, measuring, tables, graphs and evaluation.