May · Light
Australian Curriculum v9.0 · Physical sciencesYear 5 Physics — May Lesson Plan
| Week | 1 Day/Week | 2 Day/Week | 3 Day/Week | 4 Day/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2nd week (Physics) | — | — | — | — |
| May 3rd week (Physics) | — | — | — | — |
| May 4th week (Physics) | — | — | — | — |
Australian Curriculum · Year 5 Physics · Primary
Year 5 Physics Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map
The physical sciences unit from our Year 5 Australian Curriculum (v9.0) science lesson plan: light. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2, 3 or 4 lessons a week, showing when each pace covers this unit; a dash means that pace is on a different science unit that week. For the full year, see the Year 5 Science lesson plan.
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Year 5 Physics learning map
Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.
1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
June · Light
Australian Curriculum v9.0 · Physical sciencesYear 5 Physics — June Lesson Plan
| Week | 1 Day/Week | 2 Day/Week | 3 Day/Week | 4 Day/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1st week (Physics) | — | — | — | Sources of Light 1. Natural sources of light (e.g. the sun, fire) 2. Artificial sources of light (e.g. globes, torches, screens) 3. Practice: sorting light sources into natural and artificial |
| June 2nd week (Physics) | — | — | — | How Light Travels 1. Light travelling in a straight path 2. Practice: an experiment demonstrating that light travels in straight lines How Shadows Are Formed 1. How a shadow forms when an object blocks light 2. What affects a shadow's size and shape |
| June 3rd week (Physics) | — | — | — | How Shadows Are Formed 1. Practice: an experiment investigating how changing the light source's position affects a shadow Opaque, Translucent & Transparent Materials 1. What an opaque material is, with examples 2. What a translucent material is, with examples 3. What a transparent material is, with examples |
| June 4th week (Physics) | — | — | — | Opaque, Translucent & Transparent Materials 1. Practice: sorting materials into opaque, translucent or transparent based on their effect on light Reflection 1. How light reflects off a surface 2. Practice: an experiment investigating reflection using a mirror Using Reflection — Periscopes 1. How a periscope uses mirrors to redirect light |
July · Light
Australian Curriculum v9.0 · Physical sciencesYear 5 Physics — July Lesson Plan
| Week | 1 Day/Week | 2 Day/Week | 3 Day/Week | 4 Day/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1st week (Physics) | — | — | — | Using Reflection — Periscopes 1. Real uses of periscopes (e.g. submarines, tanks) 2. Practice: building and testing a simple periscope Refraction 1. How light refracts (bends) when moving between substances 2. Practice: an experiment investigating refraction (e.g. a straw appearing bent in water) |
| July 2nd week (Physics) | — | — | Sources of Light 1. Natural sources of light (e.g. the sun, fire) 2. Artificial sources of light (e.g. globes, torches, screens) 3. Practice: sorting light sources into natural and artificial | How Rainbows Form 1. How a prism splits white light into separate colours 2. How this relates to how rainbows form in the sky 3. Practice: representing light behaviour using a ray diagram Investigating Light 1. Developing an investigable question about light, shadows, reflection or refraction |
The learning framework
Anatomy of a focused lesson
Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.
10 minutes
Wonder and question
Start with an everyday question about the week’s topic that links to what your child already knows.
25 minutes
Explore and investigate
Explain the idea with pictures and simple models, then observe, test or record a small investigation together.
10 minutes
Check for mastery
Finish with a short quiz or explain-it-back task that shows what is secure and what to revisit.
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Resources for Year 5 Physics
Concept lessons
Clear, visual lessons on each Australian Curriculum physics topic.
Practice activities
Short questions and checks matched to each week’s focus.
Science inquiry
Investigation, observation and recording skills built into each unit.
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