Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basic principles of light and how to create their own lantern using simple materials. They will also learn about the importance of light in our daily lives and how lanterns have been used throughout history.

Materials and Prep

• Paper (construction paper or any type of paper)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• A small LED tea light or flashlight (if available)

Before starting, make sure to have a clean workspace and all materials ready. It’s also a good idea to explain the importance of safety when using scissors.

Activities

• Design Your Lantern:

  Begin by drawing a design for your lantern on a piece of paper. Think about colors and shapes you want to include. You can make it simple or very colorful!

• Cutting and Assembling:

  Carefully cut out the shapes from your paper and assemble them into a lantern. Use glue or tape to hold everything together. Make sure it can stand on its own!

• Light It Up:

  If you have an LED tea light or flashlight, place it inside your lantern. Turn it on and see how your lantern glows! If you don’t have a light source, you can pretend to use one and discuss how lanterns work.

• Lantern Parade:

  Once your lantern is complete, have a mini parade around your home to show off your creation. You can even pretend it’s a special festival!

Talking Points

• "What do you think light does? It helps us see things!"
• "Why do people use lanterns? Because they need light when it gets dark!"
• "Can you think of other things that give us light? Like the sun or a flashlight!"
• "What happens when we turn on the light in your lantern? It makes it bright and pretty!"
• "Lanterns have been used for a long time! Can you imagine carrying one a long time ago?"
• "How does your lantern look when the light is on? Does it change colors?"