My Pals are Here!

Science Primary 3&4 Teachers Notes on Activity Books Energy

Theme: Energy
Chapter 1 Light and shadows
Activity 1.1 The shoebox experiment
Approximate time frame: 1 period
Suggested venue: Classroom
Background information
Light is a form of energy that helps us see the things around us.
Concept
Objects can be seen when they reflect light or when they give off their own light.
Specific objective
Pupils should be able to:
recognise that objects can be seen when they reflect light or when they give off their
own light
Process skills
Skill/process

Meaning

How is it applied in this activity?

Observing

To use the senses and/or

instruments to notice the
surroundings, in order to learn or
understand the characteristics,
properties, similarities, differences
and changes of objects or events

By describing what is seen during

the physical manipulation of the
experiment

Inferring

To give explanations to
observations of objects or events

By interpreting the observations with

the manipulation of the experiment

Material list
Material

Pencil case

Quantity
Per group
1

Shoebox

Torch

Sharp edged scissors

a pair

Per class

Remarks
Per pupil

Safety pointer
Use a weak torch as the light from a powerful torch can hurt pupils eyes.

2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

My Pals are Here! Science Primary 3&4 Teachers Notes on Activity Books Energy

Rubric
For assessing the pupils performance during the activity
Skill(s): Using apparatus and equipment, Planning and Inferring
Beginning
1
Using
apparatus
and
equipment

Meets one of
the criteria in
level 3

Developing
2

Meets two of the

criteria in level 3

Accomplished
3

Planning

Gives the
correct variable
to change

Inferring

Provides an
answer to
Conclusion not
based on
experimental
results

Suggests at
least two control
variables
Gives the correct
variable to
change

Provides the
correct answer
to Conclusion
based on
experimental
results
Gives a limited
explanation

Score

Ensures that there

is an equal amount
of hot water in
each cup
Immerses the
thermometer bulb
fully into the hot
water
Reads the
thermometer
measurement at its
liquid level
Suggests at least
four control
variables
Gives the correct
variable to change

Provides the
correct answer to
Conclusion based
on experimental
results.
Gives a sound
explanation

Total

Note to teachers
* The teacher may provide cups of equal sizes to the pupils, although they would be difficult
to find. This can be listed as a control variable and the teacher can lead the pupils to a
conclusion that this experiment may not be fair since the cups are not of equal sizes.

2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd