light homework ideas ks2

• Primary Hub
• Art & Design
• Design & Technology
• Health & Wellbeing
• Secondary Hub
• Citizenship
• Primary CPD
• Secondary CPD
• Book Awards
• All Products
• Primary Products
• Secondary Products
• School Trips
• Trip Directory
• Trips by Subject
• Trips by Type
• Trips by Region
• Submit a Trip Venue

Trending stories

Top results.

• Light Worksheets And Resources For Ks1 Ks2 Science

7 of the best light worksheets and resources for KS1 & KS2 science

Get primary kids hooked on physics with these activities, ideas and lessons on light sources, light and shadow and more…

1 | The physics of light and dark KS1 medium-term plan

Written by science expert Deborah Herridge, this six-week series of lessons focuses on helping children experience light and dark and explore simple ideas about light sources, reflectors and how we need light to see.

The full medium-term plan is included in this download, or read it here .

Resources included in this download:

• Full medium-term plan
• Accompanying slideshows, worksheet and template

Download this free six-week plan here.

2 | Year 3 topic checker

This resource lets you review learning after a topic on light, covering areas on the curriculum including light sources, shadows and reflection.

The worksheet is split into sections that check children’s scientific vocabulary, understanding, and their ability to explain, predict and deduce what is happening in difference scientific scenarios.

Get this resource here.

3 | Year 6 light topic

This teaching pack contains lesson plans, resources and an exciting review session on the Year 6 science topic of Light.

Included in this pack are:

• Lesson plans – each lesson covers a learning objective using a practical activity and concentrates on a different scientific skill, such as making predictions or drawing conclusions.
• PowerPoint with slides and images to support each of the lessons.
• Resources – all the images and worksheets needed to teach this topic.
• An Escape Room Challenge – this is a fun and exciting way to review the scientific learning objectives. Included are 5 escape room challenges for children to complete in groups. Solving each of these challenges will require the children to draw on their learning during the topic.

href=”https://www.plazoom.com/products/year-6-science-topic-light-with-worksheets-and-escape-room-challenge” target=”_blank”> Get all this here.

4 | Natural or man made light?

This simple PowerPoint provides a number of images of different light sources for children to work out which are natural and which are man made.

Download it here.

5 | Measuring and recording daylight

This worksheet explains the Earth’s orbit around the sun, and on its own axis, and tasks students with looking daylight hours on the 1st of each month for a year (you needn’t be up at sunrise every day, don’t worry, a table with average times is provided).

Students can then plot this data on the graph provided and note any patterns.

6 | Light and shadows Year 3

In this block from Hamilton Trust students will create their own shadow puppet play using their knowledge and skills on light and shadows.

They can make their own theatre and puppets for the show in groups and conduct investigations on shadows, light and reflections.

Get this all here.

7 | Use The Spiderwick Chronicles series to learn about how light travels

This truly motivational sequence of lessons will illuminate your whole class, and help you to rediscover your love of light in the science curriculum.

Pupils will learn that light travels in straight lines, that mirrors can redirect the pathway of light, to clearly communicate their scientific ideas using diagrams, and more.

Sign up to our newsletter

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?

Early Years

Thank you for signing up to our emails!

You might also be interested in...

Why join Teachwire?

Get what you need to become a better teacher with unlimited access to exclusive free classroom resources and expert CPD downloads.

Exclusive classroom resource downloads

Free worksheets and lesson plans

CPD downloads, written by experts

Resource packs to supercharge your planning

Special web-only magazine editions

Educational podcasts & resources

Access to free literacy webinars

Newsletters and offers

Create free account

By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Already have an account? Log in here

Thanks, you're almost there

To help us show you teaching resources, downloads and more you’ll love, complete your profile below.

Welcome to Teachwire!

Set up your account.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Commodi nulla quos inventore beatae tenetur.

I would like to receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Log in to Teachwire

Not registered with Teachwire? Sign up for free

Reset Password

Remembered your password? Login here

Resources you can trust

Light travels in straight lines

A KS2 PowerPoint of experiment ideas for teaching the concept that light travels in straight lines and can be reflected using mirrors.

An engaging science resource to enhance a unit of work on light.

All reviews

Have you used this resource?

Resources you might like

This website uses cookies in order to provide basic functionality. By continuing to use this website, you are consenting to their use. For more information, please read the relevant part of our privacy policy .

Primary Science Resources for the National Curriculum

Year 6 light.

• Outstanding Science Year 6

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory requirements, notes and guidance, upper ks2 - working scientifically, objects and their shadows worksheet free, outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d008.

• Description
• National Curriculum

Learning objective

I can explain how the shape and size of a shadow are determined.

Children use a ruler to draw the shape of a shadow cast by an object on a simple plan diagram. They predict and then measure the width of each shadow, and try to find what kind of set-up produces the widest shadows.

• 6d4 : use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them.

Making a periscope Investigation

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d001.

I can make a periscope and explain how it works.

Children learn that a periscope is a device made from 2 angled mirrors that enables the user to see around obstacles. Using the template provided, along with 2 small mirrors, children construct their own simple periscope. They attempt to explain how it works.

• 6d1 : recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines

Positioning a rear-view mirror Worksheet

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d002.

I can calculate the best position for a rear-view mirror.

Children learn that light rays travel in straight lines, and that mirrors can make light reflect at precise angles, depending on their own position and angle. Children look at 4 simple diagrams. They predict, and then calculate (using a ruler and protractor) the best position for a mirror, so that the viewer (a car driver) can see an object (a motorcycle headlamp). They look for patterns between different distances and angles in their diagrams.

The human eye Worksheet

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d003.

I can label the main parts of the human eye and explain their functions.

Children learn about the main parts of the human eye, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina and optic nerve. They use this information to create and label their own diagram of a human eye, cutting and pasting the descriptions provided or writing their own.

• 6d2 : use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye

Reflecting light Worksheet

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d004.

I can use my knowledge of reflection to place mirrors to make light follow a path.

Children learn that light travels in straight lines and can be made to follow a path by placing mirrors in its path. Children use a simple grid and position mirrors at 45° angles to make light travel through a maze. They solve 12 increasingly difficult problems, and use a blank sheet to create their own.

How we see things Worksheet

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d005.

I can explain how we see light sources and non-light sources.

Children learn that we see light sources because they create light which travels in a straight line into our eyes. They learn that we can see non-light sources because light from light sources reflects (bounces) off them into our eyes. Children use a selection of images to build their own diagram showing how we see light sources and non-light sources.

• 6d3 : explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes

The light spectrum Investigation

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d006.

I can explain how white light is made up of a spectrum of different colours.

Children learn that white light is a combination of different colours, and that these colours exist on the visible light spectrum. They learn how white light can be split up into its component colours. Children use a prism and a light source to create a rainbow effect and discuss how it is caused. They learn that a range of colours can be combined into white light. Children create a spinner, which they spin using either string or a pencil, to demonstrate this.

Investigating shadows Investigation

Outstanding science year 6 | light | os6d007.

I can explain how moving an object changes the size of its shadow.

Children learn that shadows are formed when light is blocked by an opaque object, creating a pattern of light on a surface. Children investigate what happens to its shadow when an object is moved towards a light source. They predict and then measure the width of an object's shadow at different distances from the light source. Children record their information in a table and use it to create a line graph. They attempt to explain the relationship between distance and shadow width.

Get instant access to all of our Year 6 resources.

Outstanding science - year 6 contains all of the following units:.

Unit 6A - Living Things And Their Habitats

Unit 6B - Animals, Including Humans

Unit 6C - Evolution And Inheritance

Unit 6D - Light

Unit 6E - Electricity

Outstanding Science

Primary science resources.

Browse resources

128 Gordon Drive Dovecot Liverpool England L14 7PZ

0151 558 1485

[email protected]

Terms and conditions

Privacy policy

Outstanding Science © Copyright Minerva Education Ltd. 2015-2024. Responsive design built upon Bootstrap .

• Why Explorify?
• Teacher support

Explorify at home: Light

This collection of activities about light is ideal to do at home with your little explorers. Enjoy a good afternoon of science each week! 

A rainbow in a landscape

Explorify at home  is a special series of science activities for parents and carers of primary school children who are now learning at home. We define activities by age and curriculum topics in Explorify, but these collections are also suitable to do all together as a family of mixed aged children. Or if your little scientist just wants to explore further, pick something from the other age sections for inspiration! Teachers can find out about our full (free!) classroom resource at the bottom of this page. 

Parents, read on! 

This collection is all about light. We see things because light is reflected from them. Shadows form because light cannot pass through something.

For children aged 5-9  

First, take a close-up look:  Investigate shadows. Have fun looking at where and when shadows form, how you can make them bigger or smaller. If you can get outside at different times on a sunny day, see how shadows change their size and direction.

Hands-on activity:  

Indoors, try to make shadows with torches and your hands. You could even try to make shadow puppets to tell a story – all you will need to make a puppet is some thick paper or card from recycling to cut an outline shape of the character you need, and a stick or to mount it on. Shine the torch at the puppet and a shadow will form behind it.

Experiencing darkness can be quite difficult but is fun (and important). Can your children find a way to make a den that is light proof inside?

Age 9-11 

First, take a close-up look:  A rainbow is formed when light passes through raindrops, which act like a prism altering the path of the light. As light is made of different wavelengths that are bent (refracted) by different amounts we see different colours.

Hands-on activity:  You can make a rainbow at home. On a sunny day, experiment with placing a glass of water so that sunlight can pass through it but have something plain (paper or a blank wall) placed behind the glass so that you can see the colours. You may need to experiment with the placing of the glass. Alternatively stand the glass on a sheet of white paper and use a torch as the light source. Shine the torch through the glass to make a rainbow.

Watch more on BBC Bitesize Daily  on   reflected light .

That's all for this week!

We hope your little scientists have enjoyed exploring light this week. We'd love to know how you got on. You can follow us on Twitter or Facebook or email us if you have any feedback on this collection.

Take it further:

- Visit  STEM Learning , to explore their  support for parents and carers with home learning .

- Watch the  BBC Bitesize Daily  programmes on light which will be available one week soon, and we will link above under your child's age. Previous programmes including versions for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found  on the iPlayer .

- Browse our  other collections  – there's are more added each week!

Please note children should be supervised when doing any practical activity. Do not look directly at the sun.

Are you a primary school teacher who has yet to sign up to Explorify?

If you are a teacher who hasn't discovered Explorify before, you can sign up and explore the whole website with over 400 free activities. (It's free, as it's funded by charitable foundation Wellcome Trust. Our mission is to help you enhance your science teaching and get your pupils thinking like scientists!) We provide background science, to help you field questions from your pupils and ideas to take our curriculum-linked activities further. Something to get your teeth into for when you're back in the classroom!

Image credits:   

Rainbow by  Paweł Fijałkowski  via Pexels; Shadow Puppets by  klevo  via Shutterstock SL; Prism by  Dobromir Hristov  via Pexels  

Did you find this article useful?

More from helpful reads, explorify at home: sound.

This collection of activities about sound is ideal to do at home with your little explorers. Enjoy a good afternoon...

Explorify at home: Human body

This collection of activities about the human body is ideal to do at home with your little explorers. Enjoy a good after...

Other Teacher support:

Join Explorify today to take your class on an exciting science adventure!

We use cookies to make Explorify even more awesome for you. Find out more.

No thanks Accept Cookies

• International
• Schools directory
• Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

Subject: Physics

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

7 July 2023

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

KS3 Activate 1 module ‘Light’.

Full lesson ready to use straight ‘out of the box’.

Similar structure to my other power points following the input - activity - review phasing plenary sections for progress checking Clear learning objectives and outcomes Modern and engaging layout Little adaptation needed Covers an hour lesson of content matched to the specification 31 ppt slides

Please give constructive feedback :D

Creative Commons "Sharealike"

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 40%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

KS3 Activate 1 Physics

KS3 New for the Oxford Activate 1 resource. Full lessons ready to use straight ‘out of the box’. You’ll struggle to find a set of as many planned lessons this cheap and of similar quality. Similar structure to my other power points following the input - activity - review phasing Plenary sections for progress checking Clear learning objectives and outcomes Modern and engaging layout Little adaptation needed Each lesson covers an hours worth of teaching time to match the specification LESSONS: Forces L1 Introduction to Forces (FREE) L2 Squashing and Stretching L3 Drag Forces and Friction L4 Forces at a Distance L5 Balanced and Unbalanced Sound L1 Waves L2 Sound and Energy Transfer L3 Loudness and Pitch L4 Detecting Sound L5 Echoes and Ultrasound (FREE) Light L1 Light (FREE) L2 Reflection L3 Refraction L4 The Eye and the Camera L5 Colour Space L1 The Night Sky (FREE) L2 The Solar System L3 The Earth L4 The Moon If you are using AQA Activate there are some lessons that will be missing. Please leave constructive feedback :)

Light (Activate KS3)

KS3 New for the Activate 1 resource. Full lessons ready to use straight ‘out of the box’. You’ll struggle to find a set of as many planned lessons this cheap and of similar quality. L1 Light available free here https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/light-11807993 Lessons meet the full criteria for this unit Similar structure to my other power points following the input - activity - review phasing Plenary sections for progress checking Clear learning objectives and outcomes Modern and engaging layout Little adaptation needed Each lesson covers at least an hour of lesson time LESSONS: L1 Light (FREE) L2 Reflection L3 Refraction L4 The Eye and the Camera L5 Colour Please leave constructive feedback :D

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

black champion

Thanks, very engaging layout

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

Thank you for sharing, a great time saver.

Can you please email me [email protected]. Would like a quote please

glyniskenney

This looks great for my lesson tomorrow. Just what I was looking for thanks

MrsAFordyce

Thank you, very useful!

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

• STEM Ambassadors
• School trusts
• ITE and governors
• Invest in schools
• STEM careers inspiration
• Benefits and impact
• Our supporters
• Become a STEM Ambassador
• Request a STEM Ambassador
• Employer information
• Training and support
• STEM Ambassadors Partners
• Working with community groups
• Search icon
• Join the STEM Community

Year 1:Light

Observe and name a variety of light sources, explore materials which allow light through and those that will not. Investigate shadows, explore what may be seen in the dark and use data loggers to help find the best material to make Teddy some sunglasses. Activities are put into a context that will engage younger learners and promote their enquiry skills whilst developing an understanding of key knowledge and concepts.

Badger Science: Foundation and Key Stage One

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Badger

From the Badger Science collection, these resources provide lesson ideas and copymasters to help teachers to teach scientific knowledge, understanding and skills in the Foundation Stage and throughout Key Stage One.

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Teachers TV

In this lesson demonstration video a shared story in a literacy lesson is the starting point for an investigation on light. It looks at children’s assumptions about light and introduces key scientific enquiry words. Children carry out various activities which help them understand that light is necessary to see things.

The lesson is reviewed here: http://stem.org.uk/rx8fo

Use as the basis of a lesson in your own class or as cpd with a group of teachers.

Seeing in the Dark

A starter clip which helps illustrate thet darkness is an absence of light and that we require light in order to see things. Use it to promote discussion and lead into an investigation using a dark tent with different objects to find. Do children need a light source such as a torch to tell what the objects are and to find them?

Which Colour Makes the Best Sunglasses for Teddy?

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: BECTA

Combine ICT, science and D & T in this project. Children investigate different coloured filters for sunglasses for Teddy. Start by using the light sensor to record the light without a filter and with a total block (black card) before looking at the light which travels through the various colours of cellophane.

This could be linked to an art/D & T activity designing frames for the sunglasses.

Light and dark

An interactive science experiment from BBC Schools that lets children investigate the effect of different light sources on a darkened room.

Datalogging in the Environment

Quality Assured Category: Computing Publisher: Association for Science Education (ASE)

Learn that shadows are formed when an object blocks light from a source using a datalogger. Use a light sensor to record light directly from the source and then after it has been blocked by an object. Use a variety of materials between the light source and sensor to find out which materials block light most effectively. Include materials which are transparent,translucent and opaque.

Lesson idea is on page 4 of the pdf.

Light and Sound

A short demonstration from 9:48 uses a torch and a range of materials so that children can predict and test the best light-blocking fabric for the three little pigs' home. It also introduces the vocabulary transparent, translucent and opaque.