Lesson Plan
Light and Shadow – Design an Experiment
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of light and fair testing.
Assessment Plan
Tuning In
- Watch the What Are Shadows video on YouTube. Afterwards, discuss and list the different ways the boy changed his shadow.
Teacher Instruction
- Explain to the class that they are going to design a fair test to investigate how shadows change. Ensure that the students understand that they are not going to conduct the experiment, they are simply planning it.
- Provide the students with a copy of the Light and Shadow: Design an Experiment Worksheet. Read through the sections as a class and answer any questions the students may have.
- Explain to the students that they must plan their experiment independently, demonstrating what they have learned about light, shadow and fair testing throughout the unit.
Guided/Independent Learning
- Monitor and support the students as they independently complete the worksheet. If a time limit has been placed on the task, ensure to provide the students with regular feedback on how much time is remaining.
Wrapping Up
- Collect the worksheets when they are completed, or after the set time period. These could be included in a portfolio of work samples and used to assess the students’ understanding of the unit objectives.
Differentiation
Extending Students
- Encourage more capable students to include additional detail in their explanations and diagrams.
Supporting Students
- Allow less confident students to demonstrate their understanding verbally and/or use concrete materials to support their explanation of ideas.
Assessment Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
- used strategic whole class or individual questioning
- observed student participation during learning activities
- recorded student progress on a checklist
- annotated student work samples
- collected and reviewed student work samples
- facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
- encouraged student self-reflection
- administered formal assessment tasks.
NSW Curriculum alignment
- ST3-3DP-T
Defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions
- ST3-8PW-ST
Explains how energy is transformed from one form to another
- ST3-11DI-T
Explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
- ST3-3DP-T
Defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions
- ST3-8PW-ST
Explains how energy is transformed from one form to another
- ST3-11DI-T
Explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCSIS082
With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general ru...
- VCSIS084
Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
- VCSSU080
Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACSSU080
Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refractedElaborationsdrawing simple labelled ray diagrams to show the paths of light from a source to our eyes (Skills: Literacy, N...
- ACSIS231
With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigationsElaborationsexploring the range of questions that can be asked about a problem or phenomena and with guidan...
- ACSIS087
Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriateElaborationsdiscussing in groups how investigation...
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