C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Waves, Light & Sound·procedural

Transparent, Translucent & Opaque

Investigate the effect of placing objects made of different materials in the path of a beam of light, discovering transparent, translucent, and opaque materials

Suggested ages 6–7

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Learning journey

Your child is investigating light and sound — discovering how we see objects, experimenting with transparent and opaque materials, and learning how vibrations create sound.

Evidence of understanding

  • Test at least six materials and classify them as transparent, translucent, or opaque
  • Define transparent (light passes through clearly), translucent (some light passes, blurry), opaque (no light passes)
  • Predict whether a given material will let light through based on its appearance

Assessment prompt

Can Transparent, Translucent & Opaque test different materials with a torch and sort them into ones light goes through, ones that block light, and ones in between?

Standards alignment

1-PS4-3US · ngss-k5

1-PS4-3

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5