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Notes for teachers

Ask for donations of materials before spending your own money! You never know who might be willing to part ways with some old (school appropriate of course) cd’s and dvd’s.

This lesson is designed to review light waves and light energy. It should be a culminating activity at the end of the unit.

List of Materials

1 empty paper towel roll for each student
black construction paper or cardboard (1 per student)
1 CD or DVD per student (scratched is fine!)
scissors
tape
pencil

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Standards

4.P4U1.1 Develop and use a model to demonstrate how a system transfers energy from one object to another even when the objects are not touching.

4.P4U1.2 Develop and use a model that explains how energy is moved from place to place through electric currents.

● Light also transfers energy from place to place.

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Objectives:

Today students will create a spectroscope. Students will see and explain light can be separated into different colors based on light waves.

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Agenda

Intro/review - 10 mins

Build the spectroscope - 15 mins

Exploration - 15 mins

Discussion/conclusion - 10 mins

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

What do you already know about light energy?

-have students think, pair, share for this question and accept all reasonable answers!

Did you know light can be separated into colors based on light waves? We are going to take a look at that today by making our own spectroscope!

If you feel it necessary, watch this video about light waves to REVIEW what you have already taught!

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Students can make these all on their own if you have enough materials. If not, they can work in partners.
Have students take their pencil and draw a curved line like an upside down smiley face toward one end of their paper towel roll. They will then cut along that line (this is where the cd will sit. it might not be the neatest cut, but that’s ok!)
After they cut their smiley face looking line, have them draw a box on the opposite side of the paper towel roll, directly across from the line they just drew and cut. They will then cut out that small box. This is the window for them to look through.
Cut out a circle with the black construction paper that will fit over the top hole of your paper towel roll. In this black circle you will need to cut out a small square for light to enter the paper towel roll! Then tape the black circle securely onto your paper towel roll.
Insert the cd/dvd to the smiley face looking slit you made earlier. The shiny side should be facing UP TOWARD THE SKY.
Take students outside to look through the spectroscope, remind them to avoid looking directly into the sun. Compare what you see outside with what you see inside your classroom!

NOTE: If you’d like, you can take extra time and have students decorate their spectroscope. This will add time to the overall lesson, but if you have time the students would love it. :) do this BEFORE any other steps.

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Assessment

Discuss as a class, use as an exit ticket, or have students respond to all questions, it’s up to you!

-What did you see when you looked in the spectroscope?

-Why do you think the light looked the way it did in the spectroscope?

-Is there anything you would change about your spectroscope design? Why or why not?

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Differentiation

-Support students with creating their spectroscope, especially with creating the slit for the cd to sit in, this is tricky.

-Reteach that light energy travels in waves. Each color has its own special wave.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

You could have students look through a prism and explain what is happening

Students can create a short song, poem, or skit about light waves or light energy!

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