7NE1.2A

Syllabus Indicator 1.2 : Describes how people respond to familiar changes in their environment, eg day and night and seasonal changes.

Framework Indicators

7NE1.2A: Responds to darkness

7NE1.2B: Responds to a visual representation of day/night

7NE1.2C: Discriminates between visual representations of day/night

Teacher Language

Students will be able to meet this outcome with varying levels of support. Fade this support as the student works toward developing independence. 

There are a variety of acceptable ways a student can indicate a choice or make a response. These include; head/physical movements (e.g. nodding, pointing and reaching), facial expression, eye gaze, vocalisations and/or verbal responses. 

Teaching Activities 

7NE1.2A: Responds to darkness

In order to provide opportunities for students to respond to the dark teachers need to create darkened environments. This could be done through the use of a dark tent, an eye mask to block out light or any other environment where there is no light. Teachers should use their professional judgement when interpreting student responses in darkened environments and monitor students for any signs of anxiety or stress at which point the activity should end. This activity can be supported by teacher language such as

‘SN, it is dark.’

‘SN, when it is night time it is dark outside.’

‘SN, night time is dark too.’  

7NE1.2B Responds to a visual representation of day/night

Teachers could provide students with opportunities to observe and respond to videos/YouTube clips of an environment during the day and the same environment during the night. This would be supported by showing the student the visual representation of day/night at the conclusion of the clip. Teachers would state ‘SN, this is day/night.

7NE1.2C: Discriminates between visual representations of day/night

Place the visual representations of day and night used in previous activities directly in the student’s view and ask student ‘SN, can you show me day/night?’ It is necessary to repeat the activity a number of times to ensure the student is able to demonstrate their ability to discriminate. 

Websites that contain resources, games or activities that could be used to support this goal include:

• Light and Dark, Day and Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp5M1qTfvpw
• Light and Dark: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/light_dark.shtml