A lesson plan for teaching third graders about the absorption of light

 Teaching third graders about the absorption of light 

Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to define absorption.
• Students will be able to explain how different objects absorb different colors of light.
• Students will be able to create graphs to represent the absorption of light by different objects.

Materials

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Transparent objects (e.g., plastic cups, drinking glasses, CDs)
• Real-life objects that have different colors (e.g., red apple, green leaves, blue sky)
• Graph paper
• Graphing calculators (optional)

Procedure

1. Begin by reviewing the different colors of light with students. Show them a rainbow or a color wheel, and ask them to name the different colors.
2. Introduce the concept of absorption. Explain that absorption is when an object takes in light.
3. Show students the transparent objects. Explain that these objects let some light pass through them, but they also absorb some light.
4. Have students use colored pencils to color the transparent objects. Ask them to predict which colors of light the objects will absorb and which colors of light they will let pass through.
5. Shine a light on the transparent objects. Observe the colors of light that are absorbed and the colors of light that are let pass through.
6. Have students create graphs to represent the absorption of light by different objects. On the x-axis of the graph, list the different colors of light. On the y-axis, list the amount of light absorbed by each object.
7. Show students real-life objects that have different colors. Ask them to predict which colors of light the objects will absorb and which colors of light they will let pass through.
8. Shine a light on the real-life objects. Observe the colors of light that are absorbed and the colors of light that are let pass through.
9. Have students revise their graphs to reflect the absorption of light by real-life objects.

Assessment

• Observe students as they complete the activities.
• Ask students questions about absorption.
• Review students' graphs.

Differentiation

• For students who are struggling, provide them with more concrete examples of absorption. You can use real-life objects, or you can draw pictures of objects absorbing light.
• For students who are ahead, challenge them to find more complex examples of absorption in the environment. You can also ask them to create graphs to represent the absorption of light by different objects using different materials, such as graph paper or a spreadsheet.

Extension Activities

• Have students create a book about absorption. They can draw pictures of objects absorbing light, and they can write about the different things that absorption is used for.
• Have students play a game of "Absorption Memory." Cut out pictures of objects that absorb different colors of light. Place the pictures face down on a table. Players take turns flipping over two pictures. If the two pictures show objects that absorb the same color of light, the player keeps them. The player with the most pictures at the end of the game wins