Long-term overview - Light and Dark NEW - Year 3

The Year 3 science curriculum introduces pupils to the fundamental concepts of light and dark, exploring the nature of light, its importance for vision, and the formation of shadows. Pupils are expected to understand that darkness is simply the absence of light and that light is essential for seeing. They learn that light can be reflected from surfaces and that the sun's light, while beneficial, can also be harmful to the eyes if not properly protected against. The curriculum also covers how shadows are created when solid objects block light and encourages pupils to investigate how the size of shadows can change under different conditions. This substantive knowledge forms the foundation for understanding the interplay between light, sight, and safety in everyday life.

Complementing this substantive knowledge, the curriculum also focuses on disciplinary skills such as fair testing, observation over time, grouping and classifying materials, and pattern seeking. These skills are developed through activities such as comparing the reflectiveness of different materials, observing how the length of a shadow changes throughout the day, categorising materials by their opacity and transparency, and relating object size to shadow size. This unit on light and dark not only stands alone but also prepares pupils for more advanced studies in Year 6, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of physics as it relates to light.