Introduction to Physics: Light, Reflection, and Refraction

In this unit, learners model and explore a one-way mirror to investigate how visible light travels, how we see imagines, and better understand why sometimes we see different things when looking at the same object. our grounding phenomenon for this unit is a video of a one-way mirror and we will build scale models, draw a variety of models, and conduct experiments to understand how light is reflected, transmitted, and refracted by different materials and how these behaviors explain the images we see. 
This course is designed for small communities of learners and is a hybrid of individualized tutoring and traditional instruction covering middle school science content. Each section has no more than six learners which provide a foundation for strong relationships, social-emotional learning, and truly individualized instruction. These classes are specifically designed for the inclusion of neurodivergent learners including dyslexia-friendly font, explicit executive functioning skills instruction, and support for AAC users and through the use of inquiry and project based learning strategies grounded in real-world context. 

This series is designed according to the Next Generation Science Standards organized by subject area. The focus for this year is on physical science . This curriculum is designed to allow students to develop skills to help them in traditional academic settings including high school or colleges such as note-taking and self-led learning. The class meets two days a week and homework reading, activities, and text-based discussions are completed on two additional weekdays. Students will complete a science notebook, a printable designed by the teacher, using graphic organizers and  traditional note-taking strategies.
Week 1:
- Introduce our grounding phenomenon
- Intitial Models
- Driving Question Board
- Investigation Planning
- Classroom Consensus Model
- Scale Models

Week 2:
- Investigate Light Changes
- Understanding how light changes
- Understanding how we see
- Reversing the Phenomenon
- What happens when the light shines on the mirror
- understanding how light travels

Week 3:
- How much light passes through the mirror?
- How does light pass through the mirror?
- Matter
- How do our eyes process light?

Week 4:
- Review Models
- Drafting Written Explanations
- Transfer Tasks
- Final Assessment