5 Phenomenal Ideas to Teach Light: Reflection and Refraction in 5th Grade

5th Grade Reflection and Refraction

Let’s teach about the reflection and refraction of light for 5th grade. Even though this can be a confusing topic, your students will reach mastery in no time with these interactive activities for reflection and refraction, as well as absorption.

What are reflection and refraction?

I’ll be honest; before I started teaching 5th grade, the behavior of light never crossed my mind. As a 5th grade teacher, though, I think about it ALL THE TIME!

Reflection is the process by which light bounces off of a surface. When light hits a reflective surface, such as a mirror or a polished metal object, the light waves bounce off of the surface and return to the source. This is why we are able to see images in mirrors – the light waves are reflected back to our eyes.

Refraction is the process by which light changes direction as it passes through different materials. When light travels through a different material, such as water or glass, the light waves are bent as they pass through the material. This is why things often appear distorted or bent when viewed through water or glass – the light waves are refracted as they pass through the material.

Here’s a collection of resources I’ve used to teach students about the behavior of light.

1. Light and Matter

In primary science (k-2), students learn how light from a flashlight interacts with matter.

Flashlight Science: Light and Matter

In upper elementary, students look around the room to find examples of items (media) that transmit, reflect, refract, and absorb light.

7 Ideas for Light-- Go on a light hunt!

With small groups, I’ve also reviewed reflection and refraction with a light hunt.  I put a few items out around the room.  After students visit and interact with those materials, they can add other items in the classroom.

After we go over how light behaves with each of the items, we discuss the following question: What do the items in each group have in common?  This helps us identify similarities and tendencies in each group.

 

2. Light Phenomenon-Based Unit for Deeper Learning

Our “That Looks Strange!” unit is perfect for helping students understand why things look strange! Explore flat mirrors, curved mirrors, lenses, water, and more to write a CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) that explains why light makes some things look strange.
 

Includes 5 days of 45-minute lessons:

  • Engage: Phenomenon video and Things That Look Strange Quick Lab
  • Explore: Angle of Reflection Lab and curved mirror demonstration
  • Explain: Read the text together, watch the video clips, and complete an entry in notebooks
  • Elaborate: Refraction Stations
  • Vocabulary: Vocabulary posters and student page
  • Evaluate: Support a claim with supporting evidence and reasoning in a CER
  • Assess: 5-question multiple choice quiz and differentiated open response prompt including Google Forms option

See it on TPT: Light Phenomenon-Based Science Unit


    

3. Reflection and Refraction Worksheet Alternative

So you need to review and practice the concepts but don’t want to use another worksheet? Try task cards and sorts!

Task Cards

These light vocabulary task cards are super fun and can be used in many ways for games, pairs work, and more!

Reflection and Refraction Worksheet Alternative: Task Cards

Sorting Cards

Your students will also love this Reflection vs. Refraction sort. Listen in to the conversations as teams work through all 27 sorting cards.


Reflection and Refraction Sorting Cards: Worksheet Alternative

 

4. MUST-HAVE Observation Stations for Teachers Short on Time

Short on time? These lab stations are an absolute must to help students master this standard!

Observations Stations are activities that allow students hands-on experiences through 6 centers all focusing on a very specific concept.

I have two sets of Observation Stations for light, one for reflection and one for refraction.
 
Even better? These Observation Stations are embedded within the Explore and Elaborate of the Light Phenomenon-Based Unit!

Reflection Observation Stations

In these Observation Stations, student teams use a protractor on the station directions page, a laser, and a mirror to observe and draw the reflected ray for a given incident ray.

Reflection of Light Lab

 

Refraction Observation Stations

In these Observation Stations, student teams observe what occurs when light strikes 6 different objects. Expect a lot of “ooh”s and “wow”s!

 

 

5. Small Group Science Intervention

Sometimes, students need a little more support to understand what types of objects reflect light and which refract light. That’s where Small Group Science lessons come in!

Start with the stimulus and a vocabulary trick, then work through Concept Building, Sorting, and the Assessment. I think you’ll especially enjoy the sort.

Reflection and Refraction Small Group Science Lesson

Reflect Refract writing trick

Reflection and Refraction Small Group Science Lesson

Standards

TEKS 5.6C demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object and is reflected or travels through one medium to another and is refracted

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8 thoughts on “5 Phenomenal Ideas to Teach Light: Reflection and Refraction in 5th Grade”

  1. I have found the very coolest lights to use for teaching about light – I don’t like using filters and flash lights and these colored LEDs are very affordable. They are called Light Blox from Laser Classroom. I love them!

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