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

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.

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

    

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!

 

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.

See it on TpT! Force & Energy Small Group Science