Exploring Light and How We See the World

During the Summer Term, Year 3 pupils explore the fascinating topic of Light, building their understanding of how light helps us to see and interact with the world around us. Children learn that light is a form of energy, that darkness is the absence of light, and that light travels in straight lines from a source. Through practical investigations and discussions, pupils discover how light can be reflected, blocked, or absorbed, and how these processes create shadows.

Pupils investigate different materials and surfaces, learning how transparent, translucent and opaque objects affect the passage of light. They explore how shiny and smooth surfaces reflect light more effectively than rough ones, and how mirrors can reflect images—sometimes reversing them. Children also examine how shadows change size and shape depending on the position of the light source.

Throughout the unit, students use scientific vocabulary accurately and develop key skills such as observing, predicting, testing, and recording results. By the end of the term, children gain a deeper understanding of how light behaves and why it plays such an important role in everyday life, from seeing objects clearly to staying safe in lowlight conditions.