Light
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to explore different forms of energy, including mechanical, light, sound, and heat/thermal in everyday life.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that forces cause change and that energy exists in many forms.
Science Background
Types of Light: Physics4Kids (website). Learn the basics about light, also called electromagnetic energy.
Types of Light
by Andrew Rader, Physics4Kids, www.physics4kids.com
Renewable Solar: Energy Kids (website) - Summaries of several ways solar energy is collected and used.
Renewable Solar
Energy Kids, U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov
Introduction to the Electromagnetic Spectrum: NASA (website) - Overview of the electromagnetic spectrum, with links to detailed information about different kinds of waves (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, etc.) and their characteristics.
Signature Lesson
Needing Illumination, Investigating Light: TeachEngineering (website) - Students explore the interaction of light with everyday objects that are transparent, translucent, and opaque. Investigations focus primarily on reflection and refraction. Includes teacher background, assessment and extensions.
Needing Illumination, Investigating Light
TeachEngineering, www.teachengineering.org
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Exploring Light: Absorb, Reflect, Transmit or Refract? TeachEngineering (website) - Students visit a variety of hands-on, experimental stations within the classroom to explore light's properties of absorption, reflection, transmission and refraction.
Exploring Light: Absorb, Reflect, Transmit or Refract?
TeachEngineering, www.teachengineering.org
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
In Search of Light: Power Sleuth (website) - Series of downloadable PDF lessons through which students consider the role of light energy in daily human life, learn that that sunlight is the primary source of light energy on Earth, and investigate light-emitting devices.
In Search of Light
Power Sleuth, www.powersleuth.org
Heat, Light and Sound: Discovery Center (PDF) - Students investigate the properties of heat, light, and sound energy in a series of fun activities and demonstrations. Includes student pages and assessment.
Heat, Light and Sound
Discovery Center, www.discoverycenter.org
Assessment Ideas
Have students write what they have learned in the bottom half of their KWL charts, under the heading, Learn. Ask for volunteers to share some of their most interesting discoveries; write their responses on the board and discuss.
Literature Connections
Mr. Slaptail’s Curious Contraption. Tharp B, Moreno N, Dresden J. (ISBN-13: 978-1888997347)
(Available as a free download from http://www.k8science.org/resources/files/Global_BK_s.pdf )
Energy for Every Kid. VanCleave, J. (ISBN-13: 978-0471330998)
Energy from the Sun. Fowler, A. (ISBN-13: 978-0516262550)
Sound and Light. Glover, David (ISBN-13: 978-0753455128)
Day Light, Night Light: Where Light Comes From. Branley, Franklyn (ISBN-13: 978-0064451710)
Rainbow and You. Krupp, Edwin (ISBN-13: 978-0688156015
Additional Resources
Light: 42 Explore (website) - Extensive list of links to teaching resources, information and classroom activities focused on the exploration of light energy.
Light
42 Explore, www.42explore.com
Resources for Teachers and Parents: Energy Quest (website) - Links to resources and science lesson plans that deal with energy, including light energy.
Resources for Teachers and Parents
Energy Quest, www.energyquest.ca.gov
For Teachers: Energy Kids (website) - Links to lesson plans, ideas for science fair experiments and field trips, and other resources for teaching students about different forms of energy, including light.
For Teachers
Energy Kids, www.eia.gov/kids
The Science of Light: Annenberg Learner (website) - Information about how humans perceive light and how light behaves as particles and waves. Includes links to lessons related to the science of light.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 3
Need Assistance?
If you need help or have a question please use the links below to help resolve your problem.
Comments