Curated OER
Comparison of Images Formed by Plane, Cylindrical (concave side), and Spherical (concave side) Mirrors
Students study mirrors and see how images can be reversed. In this reflection lesson students demonstrate that all mirrors reverse images and that the apparent right to left reversal in a plane mirror is a result of that reversal.
Curated OER
Reflection and Refraction
What is a prism? A place for light waves that commit minor refractions! The thorough resource includes three hands-on investigations covering light reflection and refraction; mirrors, lenses, and images; and optical systems. Subject...
Mr. E. Science
Light
Where does bad light end up? In a prism! The presentation covers light, mirrors, lenses, and the structure of the eye. It also provides explanations of reflection, refraction, concave and convex mirrors and lenses, and a comparison of...
Chandler Unified School District
Art Masterpiece—Leonardo da Vinci Inventions
After getting to know the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci and his many inventions, scholars think up their own invention. Following a written description and a hand-drawn picture, learners use a method of mirror writing and antiquing to give...
Virginia Department of Education
Translation and Reflection
Bring about the change you want to see in the world or at least in your lesson plans. Young mathematicians learn about translation and reflections by applying them to polygons on the coordinate plane. Results provide data to...
Curated OER
Anamorphosis
Students classify optical illusions according to their distinguishing characteristics. They create anamorphic art and use Mylar flexible mirrors to view and then they describe and analyze the optical illusion.
Curated OER
Symmetry
In this symmetry worksheet, high schoolers use the alphabet to determine how many letters have a mirror plane, rotational axis, or an inversion center. Students determine the symmetry elements and the point group for different chemical...
Curated OER
Geometry Level 3
What a wonderful resource! Learners create two-dimensional shapes according to the instructions stated, use the squares to make a triangular prism, a cube, and a pyramid, and identify features of plane shapes, among a myriad of other...
Exploratorium
Polarized Sunglasses
Reflected waves of light move within a plane, and because of this, polarizing materials can reduce the glare our eyes see. This resource explains how to set up a demonstration of this effect. Consider it for use in your physical science...
Curated OER
Laws of Reflection
Students experiment with mirrors to explore the Laws of Reflection. In this experimental lesson students develop their own experiments and follow a list of assigned steps then report what happens in their activity.
Curated OER
Light and Optics
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
PBS
Adding Integers
Your sixth and seventh graders deepen their understanding of a number line and adding integers in this concrete, hands-on activity. Learners play "Warehouse Puzzle" and then discuss their game strategies and the characteristics...
Curated OER
Light My Fire!
High schoolers draw a diagram that shows the law of reflection. In this physics lesson, students investigate the relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of reflection. They explain how light travels as it reflects on a...
Curated OER
Geometry: Practical Applications of the Distance Formula
Young scholars, working independently and in groups, apply the distance formula to practical situations. After solving various problems, students in pairs design coordinate planes from the school blue print to measure the distance from...
Illustrative Mathematics
Lines of Symmetry for Quadrilaterals
Explore how lines of symmetry help define different categories of quadrilaterals. Looking at a square, rectangle, trapezoid, and parallelogram, young mathematicians discover that each shape has its own, unique symmetry. Encourage your...
Bonneville
Solar Powered Water Pumping
Here's the perfect lesson for those who think the world needs faster pumps. Building on the previous activity, scholars work to make the pumps function faster in transferring water between containers. They try adding an additional solar...
Curated OER
REFLECTIONS OF SCIENCE
Students discover the different types of mirrors, their properties and some of their applications. They have already been introduced to some of the properties of light and have already experienced some of the different types of mirrors...
Curated OER
Extreme Flashlight Tag
Fifth graders view a Powerpoint show about reflecting light. They experiment through a reflection simulation on the internet. Students complete the activity by using mirrors and light to complete send light to a specified spot.
Cornell University
Building a Compound Light Microscope
What better way to learn how to use a microscope than building your own? A lab investigation has scholars use lenses from magnifying glasses and sheets of cork to design their own compound microscopes. They calculate focal length...
Curated OER
Properties of Reflections
Students perform transformation on their polygons. In this geometry instructional activity, students identify the correct transformation of each shape. They move the polygons around on a coordinate plane. There are extension and homework...
Curated OER
Drama: Working Together
Young scholars participate in a host of activities designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and cooperation. They experience walking in different ways, greeting various types of people, and mirroring, where one student duplicates...
Curated OER
Stereoisomers
Students investigate stereoisomers using models that can be rotated and manipulated. In this stereoisomers lesson plan, students try to make models of molecules look alike by rotating the bonds. Using a mirror, the teacher demonstrates...
Curated OER
Data and Scientific Graphs
Students conduct experiments and graph their data. In this statistics lesson, students collect data and graph it on a coordinate plane. They analyze the data looking for patterns and they discuss their findings with the class.
Curated OER
Intelligence Preference
Eighth graders describe how light behaves when it strikes a surface. In this physics lesson plan, 8th graders investigate how the different types of mirrors reflect light. They work with their chosen group on a task they selected.