This week we are doing a unit on light. The centers have been so much fun. All printables are listed on the bottom of this post.
We started off with a large piece of chart paper and the kids told me everything they knew about light.
Center 1) We talked about transparent (light passes through), translucent(some light passes through), and opaque (no light passes through) and made this nifty flip chart. I put a flashlight at the table so they could test out each window and match it to the correct definition.
Center2) We talked about how light slows down when it passes through water and did a science experiment. They observed what happened to the straw when placed in a glass of water and recorded their observation. The light and water give an illusion that make the straw look broken. It also made the straw look larger.
Recording sheet for experiment above.
Center 3) We talked about light reflecting, or bouncing off of objects. They did an activity with reflections where I made cards with half shapes. They placed them next to the mirror and recorded their observations. After they finished, they made their own patterns using pattern blocks in front of the mirror.
Center 4) I put together a box with things that reflect light and do not reflect light. They were given a flashlight to shine on the objects. If the object reflected light, the kids glued it on their paper. I also had my own sample for them to copy the sentence.
Center 5) At this center, the students did a picture on the Lite Brite. We talked again about translucent.
Center 6) We talked about opaque objects again and let them create their own shadow puppets. Another idea would be to add some colored celophane paper on their puppets to create color on the board and to incorporate translucent materials.
Center 7) At this center, we used a glass of water and a flashlight to show a rainbow on a white sheet of paper. The rainbow faintly showed up. It may work better outside using the sun. We talked about refraction and how the rainbow is created. The kids drew a picture of their observation and wrote about it.
Center 8) We made kaleidescopes using paper towel rolls, sequence, buttons, report covers, wax paper, and paper. I think this was a favorite center. We talked again about reflection and how the light travels in a straight line until it hits an object. In this case it is being reflected, or bouncing like a ball inside the walls of the tube to create the pictures they see. Below is a website on how to make them with exact measurements.
