Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do
I can plan and do an investigation to find out about transparent and opaque materials.
Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do
I can plan and do an investigation to find out about transparent and opaque materials.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Some materials let all light pass through, these are called transparent materials and you can see through them clearly.
- Some materials do not let light through, these are called opaque materials.
- Scientists plan and carry out simple tests to find out which materials are transparent and opaque.
- The results of an investigation can be recorded in a simple table.
Keywords
Materials - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Light - We can detect light with our eyes in order to see things.
Transparent - Transparent materials are completely see-through.
Opaque - Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.
Results - The result of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.
Common misconception
In comparing the extent of a given property in two materials children may rely purely on observation rather than on active testing.
Opportunities to test each material to check if their thinking was correct.
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Transparent and opaque materials: plan and do, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Everyday materials unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Torches, pencil, paper, clipboards for materials hunt, a variety of opaque and transparent materials for children to test.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
