Virginia SOL 5.6.c
The Standard
matter influences the path of light
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students predict and observe what happens when light strikes or passes through different materials. They identify reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption using evidence from light paths.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can trace a light ray through or off a material and explain why its direction or brightness changes. They correctly connect each observation to reflection, refraction, transmission, or absorption.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think light always travels straight, even when it enters water or glass. They may confuse reflection with refraction or believe opaque objects make light disappear rather than absorb or reflect it.
How to Assess It
- Give students a diagram of a straw in water and a flashlight shining on a mirror. Ask them to label refraction and reflection, then explain each choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Shine flashlights through clear plastic, wax paper, and cardboard, then trace and compare the visible light paths.
Ask students to explain why a spoon appears bent in water and support their answer with a labeled sketch.
Play a sorting game with picture cards showing reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption.
Examine eyeglasses, rearview mirrors, and window shades, then identify how each changes the path or amount of light.
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Printable 5.6.c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.6.c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- K.8
The student will investigate and understand that light influences temperature on Earth's surfaces and can cause shadows. Key ideas include
- PS.7.a
electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, has wave characteristics and behavior; and
- 1.3.c
the type and amount of material determine how much light can pass through an object.
- 5.6
The student will investigate and understand that visible light has certain characteristics and behaves in predictable ways. Key ideas include
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