Light and Optical Systems
Unit Plan
Table of Contents:
Subject Area: Science Unit: Light and Optical Systems
Grade 8 Length: 5 weeks
Essential Questions:
What do we know about the nature of light? What technologies have been
developed that use light, and what principles of light do they show?
Resources:
Science Focus 8
GLO’s SLO’s
1. Investigate the nature of light and vision; • identify challenges in explaining the nature of light and vision (e.g., recognize that past explanations for
and describe the role of invention, explanation
vision involved conflicting ideas about the interaction of eyes and objects viewed; identify challenges in
and inquiry in developing our current
knowledge explaining upside-down images, rainbows and mirages)
• investigate the development of microscopes, telescopes and other optical devices; and describe how
these developments contributed to the study of light and other areas of science
• investigate light beams and optical devices, and identify phenomena that provide evidence of the
nature of light (e.g., evidence provided by viewing the passage of light through dusty air or cloudy water)
2. Investigate the transmission of light, and • investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials; and describe
describe its behaviour using a geometric ray
differences in the optical properties of various materials (e.g., compare light absorption of different
model
materials; identify materials that transmit light; distinguish between clear and translucent materials;
identify materials that will reflect a beam of light as a coherent beam)
• measure and predict angles of reflection
• investigate, measure and describe the refraction of light through different materials (e.g., measure
differences in light refraction through pure water, salt water and different oils)
• investigate materials used in optical technologies; and predict the effects of changes in their design,
alignment or composition
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3. Investigate and explain the science of image • demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict the effects of
formation and vision, and interpret related
changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g., demonstrate a method to produce a
technologies
magnified or reduced image by altering the placement of one or more lenses)
• demonstrate and explain the use of microscopes; and describe, in general terms, the function of
eyeglasses, binoculars and telescopes
• explain how objects are seen by the eye, and compare eyes with cameras (e.g., compare focusing
mechanisms; compare the automatic functions of the eye with functions in an automatic camera)
• compare the function and design of the mammalian eye with that of other vertebrates and
invertebrates (e.g., amphibians; fish; squid; shellfish; insects, such as the housefly)
• investigate and describe the development of new technologies to enhance human vision (e.g., laser
surgery on eyes, development of technologies to extend night vision)
• investigate and interpret emerging technologies for storing and transmitting images in digital form
(e.g., digital cameras, infrared imaging, remote imaging technologies)
Teaching Philosophy: As a future educator I want to give my students the inspiration and motivation to create positive change in our world. I
believe that as a teacher it is crucial to build a positive and safe space for the students to develop and grow. To create this type of environment it
is the teacher’s responsibility to build relationships with their students. According to Quin (2017) “Cross-sectional studies showed better quality
TSRs (teacher-student relationships) were associated with enhanced engagement in school” (p. 345). This study evaluated the TSRs through a
vast amount of indicators of student engagement such as: “psychological engagement, academic grades, school attendance, disruptive
behaviours, suspension, and dropout” (Quin, 2017, p.345). As a future educator I believe that it is important to be flexible and incorporate
multimodal delivery of information. By encompassing different methods of teaching and learning into the classroom the students are able to
display the different areas they excel at and work on other areas that need more attention. As a teacher I will praise students in their successes
and will take the time to work with individuals who need additional help. I will value and respect the individuality of each of my students and
push them to grow physically, emotionally and socially. In my classroom I will promote inclusivity and will strive to make sure that every
student feels important. Gun states that there are “positive gains in learning and social skills can be achieved by incorporating children’s RIs
(restricted interests) into classroom practice” (2016, p. 408). Integrating students interests in the classroom will allow students to demonstrate
their strengths and allows those individuals with disabilities and more specific interests to feel included. As a teacher I want to inspire my
students and encourage them to always apply themselves to the best of their abilities. In my classroom I want to establish open and honest
communication between my students and I. Most importantly, I want to make sure that my classroom is a happy place where students are
excited to learn.
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Rationale: Throughout my science unit students will learn about light and optical systems. I have used a variety of instructional
approaches to allow the students to have a practical and theoretical understanding of the content and constructs within the unit.
Students will get to participate and observe different labs and demonstrations. I have scaffolded the lessons so that students are
able to understand and build on the previously learned concepts.
Date Planned Lesson Learning Activities Assessment
to Teach Title
Nov 10 Introducti GLO: 1. Investigate the nature of light and vision; and describe the role of invention, explanation -Padlet
on and inquiry in developing our current knowledge
2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray model
SLO:
● identify challenges in explaining the nature of light and vision
● investigate light beams and optical devices, and identify phenomena that provide
evidence of the nature of light
● investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different
materials; and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
Learning Activities:
● Introduction to the Lights and Optics Unit
● Have students complete a word wall on what comes to mind when they think of
the “light and optical system” unit
(https://PollEv.com/free_text_polls/NqdkC7fN8pazHEsJCdo5J/respond)
● Have students watch videos on Bill Nye and ScienceMax
https://youtu.be/H8gX6a6yTT4
https://youtu.be/lLa94ExYgRU
● Have students fill in what terms they learned in a Padlet
● https://padlet.com/tanellecockerill/7ia8udjt4xlup433
Nov 16 Propertie GLO: Investigate the nature of light and vision; and describe the role of invention, explanation and observation
s of inquiry in developing our current knowledge
3
Lights
SLO:identify challenges in explaining the nature of light and vision
Learning activities:
● Students will go through slides 2-5
● https://youtu.be/iylQWOba0qk
Nov 17 Propertie GLO: Investigate the nature of light and vision; and describe the role of invention, explanation and Observation
s of inquiry in developing our current knowledge kahoot
lights
part 2 SLO:identify challenges in explaining the nature of light and vision
Learning Activities:
● Students will go over the properties of lights
● Slides 6-15
● kahoot
Nov 18 Types of Sue Comes Observation
surfaces GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray kahoot
model
SLO: investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
Learning Activities:
● Students will go over the properties of lights
● Slides 6-15
Nov 19 Law of GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
reflection model
SLO:-investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
-measure and predict angles of reflection
Learning Activities:
● Slides 17-22
Nov 20 Curved GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
Mirrors model
3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related
technologies
4
SLO:-investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
-measure and predict angles of reflection
- demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict the
effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 25-33
Nov 23 Curved GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
Mirrors model
pt 2 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related
technologies
SLO:-investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
-measure and predict angles of reflection
- demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict the
effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 25-33
Nov 24 Curved GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
Mirrors model
part 3 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related
technologies
SLO:-investigate how light is reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of various materials
-measure and predict angles of reflection
- demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict the
effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
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placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 25-33
Nov 25 Refractio GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
n model
SLO:investigate, measure and describe the refraction of light through different materials
(e.g., measure differences in light refraction through pure water, salt water and different
oils)
Learning Activities:
Slides 34-45
Nov 26 Refractio GLO: 2. Investigate the transmission of light, and describe its behaviour using a geometric ray observation
n part 2 model
SLO:investigate, measure and describe the refraction of light through different materials
(e.g., measure differences in light refraction through pure water, salt water and different
oils)
Learning Activities:
Slides 34-45
Nov 27 Concave GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
and technologies
Convex SLO: demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict
Lenses the effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 49-57
Nov 30 Concave GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
and technologies
Convex SLO: demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict
Lenses the effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
part 2 demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
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placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 49-57
Dec 1 The wave GLO: observation
Model of SLO:
Light
Learning Activities:
Slides 59-69
Dec 2 The wave GLO: observation
model of SLO:
light
Learning Activities:
Slides 59-69
Dec 3 The GLO: observation
electrom SLO:
agnetic
spectrum Learning Activities:
Slides: 70-80
EMS wave: https://youtu.be/lwfJPc-rSXw
Dec 4 The GLO: observation
electrom SLO:
agnetic
spectrum Learning Activities:
Part 2 Slides: 70-80
EMS wave: https://youtu.be/lwfJPc-rSXw
Dec 7 The GLO: Investigate the nature of light and vision; and describe the role of invention, explanation observation
colors of and inquiry in developing our current knowledge
light SLO: investigate light beams and optical devices, and identify phenomena that provide
evidence of the nature of ligh
Slides 81-84
Dec 8 Image GLO: Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
Formatio technologies
n SLO:demonstrate the formation of real images, using a double convex lens, and predict
the effects of changes in the lens position on the size and location of images (e.g.,
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demonstrate a method to produce a magnified or reduced image by altering the
placement of one or more lenses)
Learning Activities:
Slides 85-89
Eye glasses: https://youtu.be/AZ1DY6QYRO4
Ted Talk: eye to camera https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=OGqAM2Mykng&feature=youtu.be
Dec 9 Parts of GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
the eye technologies
SLO:explain how objects are seen by the eye, and compare eyes with cameras
Learning Activities:
Slides 94-104
Dec 10 Parts of GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
the eye technologies
part 2 SLO:explain how objects are seen by the eye, and compare eyes with cameras
Learning Activities:
Slides 94-104
Dec 11 Eye GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
dissectio technologies
n SLO:explain how objects are seen by the eye, and compare eyes with cameras
Learning Activities:
-students will participate or observe a cow eye dissection
Dec 14 Correctin GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
g Eye technologies
Sight SLO: • investigate and describe the development of new technologies to enhance
human vision
Learning Activities:
Slides: 110-120
Dec 15 History GLO: 1. Investigate the nature of light and vision; and describe the role of invention, explanation observation
of Optical and inquiry in developing our current knowledge
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Devices SLO: identify challenges in explaining the nature of light and vision
Learning Activities:
Slides 122-130
Pinhole experiment:
https://youtu.be/Eq43ufMCgbQ
Pixar Video: https://youtu.be/jhBC39xZVnw
Perisocope
Lazy Reader glasses:
https://youtu.be/qemEBO4tAvc
https://youtu.be/kcMrY2pUAxU
Dec 16 Other GLO: 3. Investigate and explain the science of image formation and vision, and interpret related observation
animals technologies
SLO: • compare the function and design of the mammalian eye with that of other
vertebrates and invertebrates
Learning Activities:
Slides 127-130
Dec 17 Review GLO: ALL kahoot
SLO: ALL
Learning Activities:
Slides 132-148
Dec 18 Summati GLO: ALL Summative
ve SLO:
ALL
Learning Activities:
-students will be writing their summative on the unit
Assessment:.
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Learni Stage 2: Assessments
ng
Title Observation/ Labs Kahoot Padlet Assignments and Summative Final
Outco Google Forms
mes
Type (Formative/Summative) Formative Formative Formative Formative Summative
Weighting N/A N/A N/A N/A (100%)
1.1 identify challenges in explaining the X
nature of light and vision
1.2 investigate the development of X
microscopes, telescopes and other optical
devices; and describe how these
developments contributed to the study of
light and other areas of science
1.3 investigate light beams and optical X
devices, and identify phenomena that
provide evidence of the nature of light
2.1 investigate how light is reflected, X
transmitted and absorbed by different
materials; and describe differences in the
optical properties of various materials
2.2 measure and predict angles of X
reflection
2.3 investigate, measure and describe the X
refraction of light through different
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materials
2.4 investigate materials used in optical X
technologies; and predict the effects of
changes in their design, alignment or
composition
3.1 demonstrate the formation of real X
images, using a double convex lens, and
predict the effects of changes in the lens
position on the size and location of images
3.2 demonstrate and explain the use of X
microscopes; and describe, in general
terms, the function of eyeglasses,
binoculars and telescopes
3.3 explain how objects are seen by the X
eye, and compare eyes with cameras
3.4 compare the function and design of the X
mammalian eye with that of other
vertebrates and invertebrates
3.5 investigate and describe the X
development of new technologies to
enhance human vision
3.6 investigate and interpret emerging X
technologies for storing and transmitting
images in digital form
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