Grade 1 Science, Chapter 7: Light, Materials, and Investigations
Student lessons | Daily practice | Teacher answers | Grade 1 learning path
Five guided lessons with original explanations and examples. Read or demonstrate the concept before completing its daily practice. This is an instructional chapter within a developing program.
Day 1: Sources of Light
Learn: A light source emits light, like the Sun, a lamp, or a flashlight. Other objects become visible when light reflects from them into our eyes. Do not stare at the Sun or shine flashlights into eyes.
Worked example: A flashlight is a light source. A book is not a light source, even when brightly illuminated, because it reflects light instead.
Follow-up: Answer the corresponding practice questions. Explain your reasoning for at least one answer.
Day 2: Transparent and Opaque
Learn: A transparent material allows much light through. An opaque material blocks light. A translucent material permits some light but scatters it, so objects beyond may not look clear.
Worked example: A clear glass window is usually transparent; a solid wooden board is opaque; frosted glass can be translucent. Examine safe objects only with an adult.
Follow-up: Answer the corresponding practice questions. Explain your reasoning for at least one answer.
Day 3: Make and Observe Shadows
Learn: A shadow occurs when an object blocks light from reaching a surface. Shadow size and clarity depend on the source, object, and distances. Never attempt shadow tests using direct solar viewing.
Worked example: Put a safe toy between a flashlight and a wall. With an adult, move the toy closer to the light and observe any change. Record actual observations, not guesses.
Follow-up: Answer the corresponding practice questions. Explain your reasoning for at least one answer.
Day 4: Compare Fairly
Learn: To compare conditions, change one thing at a time and keep other conditions as similar as practical. Record the setup, observation, and result. Repeat to check reliability.
Worked example: Keep the flashlight and wall in one place; move only the toy and observe the shadow. If other conditions change, it becomes harder to explain why the shadow changes.
Follow-up: Answer the corresponding practice questions. Explain your reasoning for at least one answer.
Day 5: Independent Light Check
Learn: Use these fictional observations: an opaque card cast a distinct shadow; a clear plastic sheet allowed the picture behind it to remain visible. Describe the evidence without claiming all plastics act identically.
Worked example: An observation about two objects cannot establish rules for every material in the world. Adult supervision is required for any live investigation.
Follow-up: Answer the corresponding practice questions. Explain your reasoning for at least one answer.
Development status: This chapter does not complete a full-year curriculum. Dedicated fillable workbooks, fuller textbooks, and objective-by-objective Alabama standards mapping are still outstanding. Scripture Study is taught separately from the state academic standards.