Can you live without light? Such questions are being asked as Grade 1 students begin an inquiry into how sound and light affects our lives in many ways. Under the transdisciplinary theme of ‘How the World Works’ students explored on Thursday light properties and manipulation in an experiential way.

Beginning with an open inquiry, students went to stations where teachers set up mirrors, light prisms, materials of different opacity, mirrors, light boxes, and an overhead projector where engagement could flourish. Students were then led in a more guided inquiry as teachers prompted with key concepts relating to form and function. The light experience ended with a class reflection on how senses were used along with individual reflection time using a Harvard Project Zero Thinking Routine “I used to think…now I think…and I still wonder” prompting metacognition.