The lesson will focus on students’ discovery of light reflection from a mirror through use of inquiry based methods. This lesson fulfills the California State Standards for Fourth Grade Physical Science 2:

Objectives:

Students will predict, test, and explain what happens to light when it is reflected on a mirror through investigation of the path of the light at different angles.

Materials:

• Front board and pens
• 12”x12” mirrors for pairs of students
• Maze worksheets (PDF)
• Black cloth draped on the wall of the classroom
• Flashlights for pairs of students
• Desk light
• Mirror reflections worksheet (take home)
• Six 48” pieces of string

Plan:

1. Students will sit in groups of four to five and have two 12”x12” mirrors set in the middle of the table.
• The teacher will ask the students, “What do we use mirrors for in our everyday lives?” Students can share answers and create a list on the front board. Once a variety of answers is conveyed, the teacher will pass out a maze for each of the students.
• The teacher will ask the students “What would happen if we could only see using a mirror?” “Do you think it might be difficult doing certain tasks?” Urge students to try to complete the maze using the mirror. One student partner can hold the mirror as another student attempts to complete the maze.
• Once students have completed the activity, display the mazes on the front board so the class can visualize how difficult it is to use a mirror to complete a task.
  
  
2. Ask students “What was difficult about using the mirror to complete a maze?” Write down student responses on the front board. Some responses may include that the maze looks different than it really is or that when you move the pen one way it goes the other way. If students hit these main ideas, the teacher will discuss the idea of reflection further.
• The teacher can inform the students that the mirror is used to reflect the image of an object. Give the students an example of looking in the mirror. Tell them “When you look in a mirror, you are looking at an image of yourself in the mirror”
• Ask students “Have you ever seen a reflection that was not in a mirror?” Wait for a response. Lead students thinking to “What about in the evening at the beach? What do you see in the water?” Students should respond to the sunset in the water as a reflection. Inform students that the light from the sun hits the water and reflects to create a pretty sight.
• Ask students “Do you think light can reflect off of something other than water?” Students may respond to several ideas, but focus back to mirrors.
  
  
3. Pass out the flashlights to the students and point out the black cloths around the room.
   
• Write the following focus questions on the front board:
  Is light reflected in a mirror?
  Where is the light reflected?
  If the light is moved into different locations, does the reflection look different?
• Turn off the classroom lights and keep a small desk light lit for students to still see within the classroom.
• Move about the classroom and redirect students’ invent?
• Turn off the classroom lights and keep a small desk light lit for students to still see within the classroom.
• Move about the classroom and redirect students’ inve