Light Energy Sources Basic Science Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

 

Title: Light Energy Sources – How I Got My Pupils Talking About the Sun (and the Bulb in My Kitchen)

I’ll never forget the day I asked my Primary 4 pupils, “What gives us light?” One of them, David, shouted, “My daddy’s phone torch!” And just like that, the entire class erupted — some arguing it was the sun, others insisting on candles, flashlights, and even “Pastor’s generator.”

That moment reminded me why I love teaching science. The answers weren’t wrong — just shaped by their homes, habits, and the everyday moments they notice. One pupil even mentioned his mother’s kerosene lantern that only gets used when NEPA takes light. That sparked an entire lesson on sources of light energy — not from a textbook, but from real life.

And that’s the heart of this lesson: Light energy isn’t some abstract science topic. It’s what lets us find our slippers at night, read our notes after dinner, and even roast corn over fire in the compound. It’s practical. It’s everywhere. And it’s deeply woven into our routines — whether you live in a city with bright streetlights or a village where stars and moonlight still matter.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I introduce “Sources of Light Energy” to young learners, not just with diagrams and definitions, but through stories they already live — the bulb in their bedroom, the spark of a match, or the glow from grandma’s hurricane lamp.

Let’s make it real. Let’s make it stick.

Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 1
Term: First Term
Week: Week 8
Age: 6 Years
Topic: Energy IV
Sub-topic: Light Energy Sources
Duration: 60 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Explain the meaning of light.

• Identify natural sources of light in their environment.

• Identify artificial sources of light at home and school.

• Explain the importance of light (both natural and artificial) in everyday life.

Key Words:
Light, Natural, Artificial, Sun, Fire, Lamp, Electricity

Set Induction (Storytelling Introduction):
One evening during power outage in our house, I lit a candle and my little nephew asked, “Aunty, is this fire also light?” That sparked a mini science class right there in the living room. I asked him, “What gives us light during the day?” “The sun!” he screamed. It’s moments like these that remind me how curious children are. This lesson on light energy is about helping pupils make sense of the everyday lights they see — from the sun to their flashlight.

Entry Behaviour:
Learners already use and see different sources of light like bulbs, sun, and candles.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Real objects: torchlight, lamp, candle, firewood, mirror

• Picture charts showing the sun, moon, fire, candle, electric bulb

• Flashcards with the words: Light, Sun, Lamp, Candle, Fire

• A real or toy solar-powered lamp

• A room with lights turned off to demonstrate light presence/absence

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Pupils already experience light in their homes and environment daily. The teacher builds on this by asking:

• “What helps you see at night when NEPA takes light?”

• “What do you see shining in the sky during the day?”

Embedded Core Skills:
Observation, Communication, Science Vocabulary, Environmental Awareness, Categorization, Thinking Skills

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Unified Basic Science Scheme of Work

• National Curriculum for Basic Education

• Edudelight Tutors’ Illustrated Science Companion

• Lessonshabitat.com (for interactive reinforcement activities)

Instructional Materials:

• Visual charts of light sources

• A working torchlight

• A candle or LED lantern

• Portable mirror to demonstrate reflection of light

• Audio/visual clips of sunrise, sunset, and night light

Presentation (Teacher and Learner Activities):

STEP 1: REVISION
Teacher: “Last week, we talked about energy. Can anyone tell me what energy is?”
Learners: Share answers — “Energy is what makes things work or move.”
Teacher writes the correct definition on the board and links it to light energy.

STEP 2: INTRODUCING LIGHT
Teacher: “Look around the room — what helps us see?”
Learners: “The bulb, the sun, light!”
Teacher: “Light is the energy that helps us see. When it is dark, we find it hard to see.”

STEP 3: SOURCES OF LIGHT
Teacher shows chart of the sun, candle, bulb, and fire.
Teacher explains:

• Natural Light Sources: Sun, fireflies, stars.

• Artificial Light Sources: Torchlight, electric bulb, candle, lantern.

STEP 4: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES & INTERACTION
Teacher switches off classroom light and asks learners what they see.
Then switches it back on.
Learners observe the difference.

Teacher: “How do you feel now with the light on?”
Learners: “We can see clearly.”
Teacher: “That is why light is important.”

STEP 5: IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT
Teacher and learners discuss:

• Light helps us see at night.

• Light helps plants grow (sunlight).

• Light keeps us safe from danger.

• Light helps us study, cook, and work.

STEP 6: CLASS PARTICIPATION
Teacher passes around a flashlight and a mirror.
Each child sees how light reflects.
Teacher: “Light can bounce off shiny objects like mirrors. This is called reflection.”

Class Activity:

10 Fill-in-the-blank Evaluation Questions (Multiple Choice)

1. The _____ gives us light during the day.
   a) Candle b) Sun c) Fan d) Shoe

2. At night, we can use a _____ to see.
   a) Pot b) Flashlight c) Window d) Cup

3. A source of natural light is _____.
   a) Firefly b) Lantern c) TV d) Radio

4. An artificial source of light is _____.
   a) The sun b) Torchlight c) Star d) Moon

5. We need light to _____.
   a) Sleep b) See c) Eat d) Cry

6. Fire is a source of _____.
   a) Light b) Soap c) Water d) Wind

7. When we switch off the light, the room becomes _____.
   a) Hot b) Bright c) Dark d) Cold

8. The moon is a _____ light source.
   a) Fake b) Borrowed c) Natural d) Artificial

9. We use a _____ to light our homes during power outage.
   a) Umbrella b) Fan c) Lantern d) Plate

10. Which of these is shiny and reflects light?
    a) Wood b) Mirror c) Cloth d) Sand

Answers: 1. b 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. c 9. c 10. b

Class Discussion FAQs (with Answers):

1. Why is the sun called a natural light?
   Because no human made it — it exists in nature.

2. Is candlelight natural or artificial?
   Artificial, because it is man-made.

3. What happens when there is no light?
   We can’t see clearly; the room becomes dark.

4. Can light come from fire?
   Yes. Fire is a natural source of light.

5. Is the moon a light source?
   Not really — it reflects sunlight. That’s why we see it shine.

6. Why do we need a torchlight at night?
   To help us see when everywhere is dark.

7. What are two things that give light at home?
   Torchlight and electric bulb.

8. Can we touch light?
   No, we can only see it.

9. How do plants use sunlight?
   Plants use sunlight to grow through a process called photosynthesis.

10. Why should we not look at the sun directly?
    It can hurt our eyes.

Assessment (Short Answer Questions):

1. What is light?

2. Mention one source of natural light.

3. Mention one source of artificial light.

4. Why do we need light?

5. What happens when there is no light?

6. Name one thing that reflects light.

7. Which star gives us light during the day?

8. Can fire be a source of light?

9. Mention two things you use when NEPA takes light.

10. What do we call light made by man?

Conclusion:
Teacher summarizes the lesson: “Light helps us see, play, and learn. Some light comes from nature like the sun, and some are made by man like bulbs and torchlights.”
Teacher checks pupils’ notes, corrects where needed, and praises well-done work.