Light
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to differentiate among forms of energy, including mechanical, sound, electrical, light, and heat/thermal.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that energy exists in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.
Science Background
Electromagnetic Spectrum: NASA (website) - Introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
NASA, www.science.hq.nasa.gov
Introduction to Energy: The NEED Project (PDF) - Explains different energy sources and the usage levels for various energy sources in the United States.
Signature Lesson
Rainbow in the Room: BioEd Online (website) - Engage your students in the study of light by creating a circular rainbow for them to observe.
Rainbow in the Room
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org
Characteristics of Light, Light Travels in a Straight Line: MnSTEP (website) - Students discover that light travels in a straight line using a flashlight and three cards, with a hole punched in each one.
Characteristics of Light, Light Travels in a Straight Line
MnSTEP, www.serc.carleton.edu/sp/mnstep
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Splitting Light: CSIRO (website) - Students use a water-filled glass and sunlight to separate white light into its component “rainbow” colors.
Splitting Light
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, www.csiro.au
Stations of Light: TeachEngineering (website) - Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization.
Stations of Light
TeachEngineering, www.teachengineering.org
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Understanding Light: NASA (website) - Online guide and lessons on the colors of light, absorption and reflection of light, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Understanding Light
NASA, www.science.hq.nasa.gov
Edison and the Light Bulb: Science NetLinks (website) - This lesson introduces students to the world of technology and inventions, helping them to understand the enormous impact of scientists and inventors in society.
Edison and the Light Bulb
Science NetLinks, sciencenetlinks.com
Making Light of Science: Science NetLinks (website) - Introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on visible light. Students learn that all light travels as waves, and that wavelength defines the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Making Light of Science
Science NetLinks, sciencenetlinks.com
Assessment Ideas
Ask students to provide examples from real life of where and how light energy is used, and generate a class list.
Literature Connections
Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow, Rubin, S. (ISBN: 978-0810993471)
Animal Colors: A Rainbow of Colors from Animals Around the World, Fielding, B. (ISBN: 978-0979745546)
Day Light, Night Light: Where Light Comes From. Branley, Franklyn (ISBN-13: 978-0064451710)
The Rainbow and You. Krupp, Edwin (ISBN-13: 978-0688156015)
Additional Resources
The Science of Light: Annenberg Learner (website) - Interactive website with simple activities and ideas that teach students about the characteristics of light energy, and how light is studied and perceived.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 4
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