Year 6 - Science
How light travels
Light and how it travels
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores how light travels in straight lines, explaining how we see objects and why shadows form the shape of the object casting them. It focuses on planning scientific enquiries, taking precise measurements, making predictions, and evaluating evidence to present findings.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain that light travels in straight lines.
Key Notes
- We need light to be able to see things.
- Light travels out from a source of light in all directions.
- Light travels in straight lines.
- Scientists use diagrams to show light travelling in straight lines .
Vocabulary To Learn
- light: We can detect with our eyes in order to see things.
- light source: Something that is a light source produces its own light.
- record: To record information is to keep it so that it can be passed on to others. This can be done in many ways including notes, tables, photos and drawings.
- diagram: A diagram is a simplified drawing of information.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- When children think of light, they do not necessarily think of it as travelling. Also that light is found only in bright areas and not in the space between.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
We need light to be able to see things. Light travels out from a source of light in all directions.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'light'
We can detect with our eyes in order to see things. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: When children think of light, they do not necessarily think of it as travelling. Also that light is found only in bright areas and not in the space between. Correction: Provide opportunities for children to think of different ways to model and record travelling light so it is seen as a continuous straight line.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing the direction of light Study Guide
- How shadows form Study Guide
- Light enters our eyes Study Guide
- Light sources and light reflectors (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Measuring reflected light: do and review Study Guide
- Measuring reflected light: plan Study Guide
- Multiple shadows Study Guide
- Reflected light Study Guide
- Shadow shapes investigation Study Guide
- The position of shadows (non-statutory) Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Science guide library.