How We See Objects

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Waves, Light & Sound|Ages 9—11|ID: mt_6w2g7aoPgz

Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen

Mastery Evidence

Draw a diagram showing light source → light hits object → reflects into eye
Explain that we see objects because reflected light enters our eyes, not because our eyes send out light
Use this model to explain why we can't see in total darkness (no light to reflect)

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] draw a diagram showing how light bounces off a book and enters your eye, which is how you actually see the book?”

Curriculum Standards3 alignments

4-PS4-2Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5codes only

Standard code — full text not included in this dataset.

Y6.Sci.L.2The national curriculum in England

Objects are seen because they give out or reflect light

use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye

Science · Key Stage 2

Y6.Sci.L.3The national curriculum in England

How we see things

explain that we see things because light travels from light sources to our eyes or from light sources to objects and then to our eyes

Science · Key Stage 2

Prerequisites3

Reflecting Light
hardAges 7—8
How Shadows Form
softAges 7—8
Wave Behaviour Vocabulary
hardAges 9—11

Show full prerequisite tree

Reflecting Light hard
Must know light reflects off surfaces before modelling reflection-to-eye vision
- Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
  Must understand light illuminates objects before learning about reflection
  - Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
    Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
  Noticing that light is reflected from surfaces requires 'reflect' vocabulary
How Shadows Form soft
Shadow knowledge supports understanding how light interacts with objects
- Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
  Must know light sources before understanding shadow patterns
  - Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
    Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- Transparent, Translucent & Opaque hard
  Must understand opaque materials block light before understanding shadow formation
  - Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
    Must understand light sources illuminate objects before testing how materials interact with light
    - Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
      Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
  - Describing Material Properties soft
    Material properties knowledge (transparent/opaque) supports light investigation
    - States of Matter Vocabulary soft
      Describing physical properties of materials uses solid/liquid/gas vocabulary introduced in the states of matter LANGUAGE node
    - Naming Everyday Materials hard
      Must name materials before describing their properties
      - Objects vs Materials hard
        Must distinguish objects from materials before naming specific materials
  - Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
    Investigating transparent, translucent, and opaque materials requires those three terms
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
  Explaining shadow formation requires 'opaque' and 'light source' vocabulary
Wave Behaviour Vocabulary hard
Modelling light reflecting from objects into the eye requires reflection vocabulary

Unlocks2

White Light & Colour
softAges 11—12
Light Travels in Straight Lines
hardAges 10—11