1.PS4.3: Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing…

Earth and Sky at Home Grades K–5 · partly supports this outcome

Make a rainbow on the kitchen floor, grow crystals on a windowsill and build a cloud in a jar. Three classic home experiments that actually work, with the real science explained for grown-ups.

• Where do rainbows come from? 45 min, plus 10 min outside on a sunny day

  Children split sunlight into colours with a glass of water, test whether the water is what makes the rainbow, and make their own rainbow with a hose mist. They finish able to explain that white light is a mix of colours that water bends apart.

Light and Shadows Grades K–2

Why does my shadow follow me, and why is it so long in the morning? Young scientists chase their shadows, track the Sun across the day and test which things let light through.

• Why does my shadow follow me? 30–40 min

  Children go outside on a sunny day and try everything to escape their shadow: running, jumping, spinning and hiding in the shade. They find out that a shadow is the dark shape where their body blocks the sunlight, so it has to go wherever they go.

• What can light go through? 35–40 min

  Pairs shine a flashlight through everyday materials, from plastic wrap and wax paper to foil and cardboard, and sort them into 'lots of light', 'a little light' and 'no light'. Then they use what they found to choose the right material for a window, a lamp shade and a curtain for a sleepy bear.

Printable practice for 1.PS4.3

• Earth and Sky at Home workbook included with the unit

  1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• Light and Shadows workbook included with the unit

  3 practice pages, 3 readings, 2 English-support pages, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• Bouncing Light: Mirrors, Water and Colour workbook included with the unit

  2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• Grade 4 Light and Colour printable pack, written for Ontario; the skill matches

  3 readings, 2 practice pages, 1 activity, 1 assessment, with answer keys. Free sample.

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