Bounce and Bend: Reflection and Refraction of Light

Student Task

• Put a pencil in a clear glass of water and ask students why it looks broken.
• Teach reflection and refraction, then do activities 1 and 2 together.
• Students complete activities 3 to 5; answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

• Bent pencil: place a pencil in a glass of water and draw what you see from the side.
• Mirror writing: write your name so it reads correctly in a mirror.
• Disappearing coin: put a coin in an empty cup, step back until it is hidden, then pour in water and watch it appear.

Differentiation

Support: use picture cards for bounce and bend. Challenge: explain how a rainbow forms using both refraction and reflection in raindrops.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 4 check reflection and refraction (answer key included). Activity 5 checks explanations.

Learning Objectives

• Explain that light travels in straight lines.
• Describe reflection and give examples of reflecting surfaces.
• Describe refraction and explain everyday examples such as the bent pencil.

Teacher Tips

Use two action words: reflection bounces, refraction bends. Students who connect each word to an action rarely mix them up.

What's Included

• 6-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
• Key vocabulary list (4 words with meanings and examples)
• Student worksheet (5 activities)
• Editable Word version of the worksheet
• Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

Additional Files

• Editable Worksheet (Word) (DOCX)
• Answer Key (PDF) (PDF)

Teacher Reviews