Light is a fundamental aspect of our environment, influencing everything from the way we see to the way we understand the world around us. In the Montessori science curriculum, the study of light can be introduced to children ages 9 and up as a comprehensive unit that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experiments. Our new material, The Study of Light Complete Set, makes a perfect introduction to the topic and can be supplemented with experiments on light propagation, reflection, refraction, and other light properties.
Our material provides learners with a basic understanding of what light is and how it behaves. This includes concepts such as the speed of light, how light travels, and the nature of transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. These foundational ideas prepare children for more advanced concepts such as, absorption, transmission, and scattering of light. These concepts will help children understand why objects appear in different colors and how light can be manipulated.
Materials
More physical science materials: Sound Waves – Complete Set, Simple Machines Supplement Materials, Radioactivity and Its Uses – Complete Set, Motion – Complete Set, Force and Gravity – Complete Set, Newton’s Laws of Motion – Complete Set
How to Introduce the Materials
Invite a small group of learners to learn about the study of light. Place the puzzle and research cards on a working surface, and ask questions, “What do you think light is? Can you name some sources of light? Where does light come from? Have you ever seen a rainbow? What do you think makes it happen? Why do you think we need light? What would happen if there was no light?”
These questions will encourage your learners to share their ideas and definitions. They will encourage them to think about the sun, lamps, candles, etc, and consider the importance of light in our lives.
PUZZLE AND RESEARCH CARDS
Use our wooden puzzle as a tactile and visual introduction to the topic. Children will quickly get familiar with the various concepts related to the study of light. Combining visuals to scientific definitions is highly beneficial, especially in a Montessori learning experience. Visuals enhance comprehensions by aiding learners to better grasp abstract concepts. For instance, seeing a diagram of light refraction can make the definition more concrete and understandable. Visuals also help with memory retention. That is because the brain processes faster and retains longer visuals than texts. In addition, including a puzzle with visuals makes learning more interactive, which increases engagement.
RESEARCH CARDS
The research cards, complemented by the puzzle, offer a comprehensive experience. They provide age-appropriate scientific language and bite-size information, meaning the information is broken down into small, easily graspable pieces. The research cards contain key concepts such as, materials (transparent, translucent, opaque), and light behavior (reflected light, refracted light, etc.) Introduce the research cards to describe each part of the puzzle. You may pass the puzzle pieces for children to observe as you read the definition. You can also use a flashlight and materials to demonstrate some of the concepts.
TASK CARDS
Once learners have grasped the concepts of light through the puzzle and research cards, introduce the task cards as an engaging way to apply their knowledge. Begin by showing the different sections, highlighting the progression from “Introduction” to “Word Problems.” They may refer back to the previous materials as needed. The “Word Problems” section is for advanced learners, and consists of astronomical calculations aiming to get learners familiar with the speed of light as a unit.
In conclusion, our material offers a comprehensive approach to the study of light for children ages 9-12. It lays a solid foundation for understanding a wide range of scientific phenomena. From the mechanics of vision to the intricacies of atmospheric optics (rainbows), or concepts such as reflection and refraction, which are fundamental. Our set of materials remains mostly self-directed after a brief introduction to the topic and can be easily supplemented with readily available materials to conduct experiments. For more Montessori-aligned materials on physical science, visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
Follow-up Experiments
Shadow puppets
Make a pinhole camera
Rainbow Prism Experiment
Refraction with a Glass of Water
Make a Simple Periscope
Explore Reflections with Mirrors
