Light
Ozell Bonds Ignace Paderewski School
2221 S. Lawndale
Chicago IL 60623
(312) 534-1821
Objectives:
The main objectives of this mini-teach is for primary students to
understand the Nature of Light. This will be accomplished by examples and
demonstrations.
Materials Needed:
This is for a group of eighteen students.
1. A large pan of water approximately 2'x 2'.
2. A slinky toy.
3. Three flashlights and transparent red, green, and blue paper to cover the
flashlights.
4. About 10 pieces of poster board for boxes to make the periscope.
5. You will need poster board for the color wheels also.
6. One piece of waxed paper and transparent paper.
7. Three equal strips of transparent plastic 1" x 4".
8. White, green, red, yellow, and blue paper.
9. 1 brick.
10. Modeling clay.
11. Two cardboard tubes.
12. Twenty-five mirrors approximately 2" x 5".
13. Model or chart of the human eye.
14. Scissors.
15. Crayons.
16. Quart jar and ruler.
Strategy:
Model Construction:
1. Take the large pan of water approximately 2'x 2' and fill with water.
2. Take the three flashlights and transparent red, green, and blue paper.
Cover the end of each flashlight with each paper. Use tape or rubber
bands.
3. In making the periscope; form a rectangular box approximately 10"x 4" by
cutting and folding with the poster board. Quart milk or juice cartons
can also be used. Cut two slits on opposite ends of the carton at a 45
degree angle. The mirrors should be placed in the slit.
4. In making the kaleidoscope; take the three transparent plastic strips.
Make into a triangular shape. Tape the whole triangular tube with dark
contact tape. Put the sequins and glitter in a transparent I D packet or
on a cardboard card about 2"x 2".
5. In performing the after image demonstration you need a piece
each of white, green, red, yellow, and blue paper.
a. In a brightly lit room place a sheet of red paper next to a sheet
of white paper. Stare at the center of the red paper as you count
to 30.
b. Now look at the center of the white paper. Count to 20. What
color seems to slowly form on the white paper? Is the color really
there. Record the results you witness on the chart.
The color | | | | |
you stare at | Red | Blue | Green | Yellow |
The color you | | | | |
see on white | | | | |
6. In making the see through brick you will need a brick, flashlight,
a piece of cardboard 4 small mirrors, modeling clay and scissors.
a. Cut a narrow slit about 2 inches deep in the middle of a piece of
cardboard about 4" x 4".
b. Use some modeling clay to prop the cardboard upright in front of
the flashlight.
c. Place the brick a little way in front of the card.
d. Use the modeling clay to fix the mirrors to match each other in
an 45 degree angular fashion.
e. Shine the flashlight through the slit.
7. In showing the bouncing back of light you will need a large mirror,
two cardboard tubes, a flashlight and some books.
a. Use the books to prop the mirror upright.
b. Hold one tube at a 45 degree angle with the end touching the
mirror.
c. Ask a student to hold the second tube at a matching angle.
d. Shine the flashlight through the tube you are holding.
8. In making a rotating color wheel you will need enough poster board.
You can get 6 wheels per poster board.
a. Use 4 feet long piece of string.
b. Cut out 4 inch circles with a compass.
c. Divide the circle into 6 pie shaped triangles with the following
colors; red, violet, orange, blue, green and yellow.
d. Poke 2 holes three quarters of an inch from the center of the
circle.
e. Thread the string through the holes and tie the ends together.
f. Put a twist in the string like with a jump rope, spinning it
around in that motion.
g. Then pull outward on both ends of the string quickly and tightly.
9. In making a pinhole camera you will need to do the following:
a. Cut off a strip of poster board approximately 12" x 4", Mark off
into equal sections, pie shaped triangular sections. Tape
together.
b. Paint the inside of the box black. Make sure you completely
cover the color of the poster board.
c. Tape a piece of tracing paper over one end of the box.
d. Tape a piece of sturdy brown paper to the other end of the
pinhole camera.
e. Use a pin to make a small round hole in the middle of the brown
paper.
f. Cover your head and the tracing paper end of the box with a cloth
or towel.
g. Point the camera at the window and look through the tracing paper
end of the box about six inches away. You should see an upside
down window. Be patient the image is not crystal clear.
10. Fill a quart jar about half full put a ruler in the jar.
Performance Assessment:
At the conclusion of the mini-teach students will be able to answer the
following questions:
1. What is the main source of light energy?
2. What is the speed of light?
3. What happens when light hits something it cannot pass through?
4. What happens when light passes through water?
5. What are the primary colors?
6. Is white light composed of colors?
7. What happens when the lights are off and you shine a light on an
object?
8. Where does light enter the eye?
9. What instrument operates like the eye?
Conclusion:
Students will understand and be able to explain the Nature of Light.
References:
Physics by Amanda Kent and Alan Ward, Seeing Is Not Believing by Barbara
Taylor, More Science Activities by John Falk, Physics Experiments for
Children by Muriel Mandrell.
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