Lesson Plan
Light and Shadow – Design an Experiment
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of light and fair testing.
This lesson plan includes the following resources:
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 rules
- 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 rules
- VCSIS084
Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
- 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
- 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 refracted
- ACSIS231
With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations
- ACSIS087
Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
Comments & Reviews
Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you would like to request a change (Changes & Updates) to this resource, or report an error, simply select the corresponding tab above.
Log in or sign up to join the conversation.
Request a change
Would you like something changed or customized on this resource? While our team makes every effort to complete change requests, we can't guarantee that every change will be completed.
You must be logged in to request a change. Sign up now!
Report an Error
You must be logged in to report an error. Sign up now!
Help
Are you having trouble downloading or viewing this resource? Please try the following steps:
If you are still having difficulty, please visit the Teach Starter Help Desk or contact us.
Contact us