An apple you cannot see in a pitch-black room is one of ten matching items on this three-page 4th grade science worksheet about how we see, aligned to NGSS 4-PS4-2. The first table follows the path of vision from light source to object, reflection, eye, and brain. The second pairs everyday scenes with their reasons. The last task shows a student's model with the arrow pointing the wrong way. Students explain how the light should travel so the eye can see the book.
4-PS4-2
“Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen.”
Fix the Model asks directly for the path of light from a source, off the book, and into the eye. The vision sequence match builds the same model in five steps.
Students match five parts of the vision sequence to their jobs. The first answer, 1-D for the light source, is done for them.
Five situations include a bathroom mirror, a black winter coat, and a white piece of paper. Students pair each with its reason, such as a surface that reflects almost all the light that hits it.
A student's drawing shows the arrow going the wrong way between the eye and a book. Students explain the mistake and describe light bouncing off the book into the eye.
Dark room test
Close the blinds, turn off the lights, and hold up an apple before the scenario match. Students then have their own evidence for item 1.
Misconception check
Give Fix the Model on its own before you teach the topic. Students who agree with the drawing still think light leaves the eye.
Mirror center
Put a small mirror and a flashlight at a center next to the sheet. Students bounce the beam off the mirror to check their answer for item 2.
Get started today
