1-PS4-3
The standard
Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to test what happens when light hits different materials. They should shine a flashlight at clear plastic, wax paper, cardboard, foil, or a mirror, then observe whether light passes through, is blocked, is scattered, or bounces back.
Mastery looks like planning a fair test, making clear observations, and sorting materials by what they do to light. Students often mix up translucent and transparent. They may also say a shiny object “makes light” instead of reflecting it.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on: Set up a flashlight station with clear plastic, wax paper, cardboard, foil, and a mirror for students to test and sort.
- Prompt: Which material would you use for a window, a lampshade, and a shadow puppet, and why?
- Quick assessment: Hold up one material and ask students to predict, test, then label it transparent, translucent, opaque, or reflective.
- Real-world connection: Compare classroom objects like windows, curtains, book covers, and mirrors to discuss how each changes light.
Plan a lesson for 1-PS4-3
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- K-PS2-1
Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
- 2-PS1-1
Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
- 3-PS2-1
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
- 1-PS4-1
Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.