Alabama Learning Exchange
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Reflections of Light
Why can we see our reflection in a window but not a brick wall? Young physicists learn the Law of Reflection and various light properties that help them answer this and other questions about reflection. Use the PowerPoint to introduce...
Curated OER
Use of Personification and Imagery in Poetry
A reading of Theodore Roethke’s dark "Root Cellar" and Sylvia Plath’s more abstract "Mirror" launches a discussion of imagery and personification in poetry. After finding examples of personification in the poems, class members craft...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Lab
Young scholars define reflection and refraction. In this Physics lesson, students compare a variety of items to find properties of reflection or refraction. Young scholars record their findings.
Curated OER
Comparison of Images Formed by Plane, Cylindrical and Spherical Mirrors
Students experiment with differently shaped mirrors. In this reflection and optics instructional activity, students investigate the visual effects of reflected images in mirrors. They use plane, cylindrical, and concave mirrors for the...
Curated OER
Light - Reflection - Illusion
Students experience the magic of mirrors. In this reflection and illusion lesson, students witness magic tricks that work because of mirrors, then rotate through five stations to complete hands-on experiments using mirrors, light,...
Curated OER
Reflection, Refraction & Lenses
Students are able to describe what happens to light when it strikes different materials. They describe the law of reflection. Students are able to explain why a mirror froms a virtual image. They are able to describe diffuse reflection.
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.
Curated OER
Plane Mirrors
Students investigate the law of reflection by using mirrors. In this physics lesson plan, students operate a robot using IR controllers. They explain the path of light as it reflects through a surface.
Curated OER
Magic Mirror Box
Students observe a plywood box with mirrors. In this mirror and light lesson, students make informal, individual investigations with a plywood box that has been fitted with mirror squares. They use observation skills and investigate...
Curated OER
Line Symmetry
In this line symmetry instructional activity, 10th graders solve 10 different problems related to various forms of line symmetry. They classify each line of symmetry illustrated as horizontal, vertical, both, or neither. Then students...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Straightness and Symmetry
This site, part of a planned Geometry textbook, involves real-world applications with symmetry and reflection using pictures and graphs.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Optics
Students discover how mirrors affect optics in this module through reading informational text, watching animations, and answering self-checking practice questions.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Turn About's Fair Play! Mirrors and How They Reflect
Teachers can download this teaching package that looks at light and symmetry through the use of mirrors. Students will enjoy the nine mirror challenges, along with the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will...
Language Guide
Language Guide: El Bano Ii
These vocabulary words include the personal items one would find in the bathroom. Some basic vocabulary is included along with some more advanced vocabulary. Interactive audio and written vocabulary appears when the mouse is moved over...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/light
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Physics: Bill Nye: Bending Light
Created to teach students of the 21st century, SOPHIA is bringing science experiments straight to your fingertips. Become the commander of your own learning experiences as you take part in this interactive experiment.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Lenses and Geometrical Optics
Article explaining what lenses are and how they work. At the end of the article, there are links to several hands-on activities for investigating lenses.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Light as a Ray and the Law of Reflection
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students explain the ray model of light, describe the law of reflection, and investigate how images are formed from flat mirrors.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Mirrors in Imaging
A discussion from Georgia State University of different types of mirrors and the images which they create. Discusses different instruments which use mirrors to produce images.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Mirror Instruments
This site from Georgia State University discusses the means by which mirrors and lenses are combined to produce an optical instrument which accomplishes a specific purpose. Good illustrations.
Other
Fraser Valley Astronomers Society: Mirror Making
Directions and suggestions for making a parabolic mirror out of epoxy for use in a reflecting telescope. Links provided for sources of epoxy.
Other
Arbor Scientific: Haunted Laboratory: Halloween Physics
This resource presents a collection of experiments for the science classroom that focuses on physics concepts for Halloween. Activities include mirror ghost with a concave mirror, apple oscillators with pendulums, and a pumpkin pendulum....
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Anti Gravity Mirror
Using the property of reflection, this activity will have students appearing to defy gravity.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Corner Reflector
By creating a kaleidoscope using a set of hinged mirrors students can see themselves as others do! This activity uses mirrors to create multiple images of an object.