What Shines? / Lesson Plan

Create Your Own Custom Lesson Plan
PDF

Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify and describe various objects that shine, understand the science behind why they shine, and express their thoughts creatively through writing and art.

Materials and Prep

  • Paper
  • Colored pencils or crayons
  • Access to sunlight or a flashlight
  • A mirror or shiny object (like a spoon or foil)
  • Notebook for writing

Before starting the lesson, ensure that the student understands basic concepts of light and reflection, as these will be important for the activities.

Activities

  • Shiny Object Hunt:

    Take a short walk around the house or yard to find objects that shine. Encourage the student to collect a few and discuss why they shine. This activity helps to engage the student with their environment and apply observation skills.

  • Light and Reflection Experiment:

    Using a mirror or a shiny object, demonstrate how light reflects. Have the student shine a flashlight onto the object and observe how the light bounces off. This hands-on activity helps to visualize the concept of reflection.

  • Creative Writing Prompt:

    Ask the student to write a short story or poem about a magical shiny object. Encourage them to describe what the object looks like, its powers, and what adventures it might have. This fosters creativity and writing skills.

  • Art Project:

    Using colored pencils or crayons, have the student draw their favorite shiny object. They can also use foil to create a collage of shiny items. This allows for self-expression and reinforces the lesson visually.

Talking Points

  • "What do you think makes something shine? Is it the material, the color, or how light interacts with it?"
  • "Can you think of some examples of shiny objects in nature, like stars or water? What makes them shine?"
  • "When light hits a shiny surface, it reflects. Why do you think reflection is important in our daily lives?"
  • "How does the shiny object you found today make you feel? Does it remind you of anything?"
  • "In your story, how does the shiny object change the world around it? What adventures could it lead to?"