Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Periscope Spy Mission: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 6
- ForYear 6
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Periscope Spy Mission is a free printable science worksheet for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11). Children play a secret agent who cracks a light code, then files a written debrief. They explain how light travels and reflects, using a periscope as the example. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work as agents on a light mission. The sheet mixes multiple choice questions, each with three answers, and numbered questions with space to write. The questions ask about mirrors, reflection and why light behaves as it does. A debrief section asks children to explain their thinking in full sentences and describe the inside of a periscope, using proper scientific words.
- Why does a periscope need two mirrors?
- Which surface reflects light best?
- Debrief: say why light cannot bend round a corner by itself.
- Say where each mirror sits inside your periscope.
What is a periscope?
A periscope is a tube with mirrors that lets you see something you cannot see directly, such as what is on the other side of a wall or over a crowd. Submarines have used periscopes so the crew can look above the water while the boat stays hidden below. Children also make simple periscopes from card, which is a good way to see the science for themselves.
A spy mission gives children a reason to explain. Agents file a debrief, so they have to say what they know and why, not just tick a box. That is a useful habit in science. It asks children to use words such as reflect and light source accurately, and to give a reason for each answer.
Never shine a torch into anyone's eyes. Never look at the Sun, or reflect sunlight into someone's face, with a mirror. If you build a periscope from card, an adult does any cutting with a craft knife or sharp scissors. Use small safe mirrors with smooth edges, such as plastic ones.
Light facts for young agents
- Submarines use periscopes so the crew can see above the surface while the boat stays under water.
- We see most things because light from them enters our eyes.
- The Sun is a light source. The Moon is not, because it only shines by sunlight bouncing off it.
- Light from the Sun takes about eight minutes to reach the Earth.
- Light travels much faster than sound, which is why you see lightning before you hear thunder.
Skills and curriculum link
- Explaining light
- Reflection
- Scientific vocabulary
- Reasoning in sentences
- Writing a short report
Science ideas to talk about first
- Light and seeingWe see an object when light from it reaches our eyes. In a completely dark room, nothing can be seen.
- Light sourcesSome things make their own light, such as the Sun, a torch or a candle flame. Most things we see do not.
- ReflectionWhen light hits a surface it can bounce off. Different surfaces send light back in different ways.
- Testing ideasScientists check ideas with a test. A torch and a small mirror let you try out what you think will happen.
Key words
- PeriscopeA tube with mirrors inside that lets you see something that is out of your direct view.
- ReflectWhen light bounces off a surface, it reflects.
- Light sourceSomething that makes its own light, such as the Sun or a torch.
- RayA thin line with an arrow, drawn to show the path of light.
- SurfaceThe outside layer of an object.
- DebriefA report you give after a mission to say what happened and what you found out.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Do the sheet before or after building the periscope. Pupils can test their answers by looking through the finished gadget.
- Work through it together the first time. Talk about each choice and ask why the child picked it.
- Check against the notes and answers on page 2. Ask the child to explain any answer they changed.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Give the child a torch and a small mirror so they can watch a light beam bounce. Darken the room a little. Ask them to point the beam at the mirror and notice where the light lands. Then return to the questions.
To stretch confident children
Ask the child to draw a ray diagram with arrows to show how light travels. Then label the angle of each bounce. Compare the diagram with the periscope and check that every arrow matches the real path of the light.
Make it a game
Agents swap debriefs and mark each other's work like secret service officers. Each officer checks every answer, circles any scientific word used well and writes one question for the other agent to answer.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child answers with one word, such as the name of a mirror, and gives no reason.
Try thisAsk "because what?" Encourage a full sentence that uses the word light and says what the light does.
Watch forThe child cannot remember where the parts of the periscope go.
Try thisLook through the finished periscope, or hold a mirror and a torch in position, then tick or change the answer.
Watch forA child thinks a mirror makes its own light.
Try thisAsk where the light starts. Use a torch to show the beam coming from the torch first, then reaching the mirror.
Talk about it
- Why do you think spies and submarines use periscopes?
- What happens when you shine a torch at a mirror?
- How do we see an object that does not make its own light?
- Which answer were you least sure about, and why?
- What would you test if you wanted to check your idea?
- How would you explain this to a younger agent?
Take it off the page
Light detectives
Walk round the house and sort things into those that make their own light and those that do not. Talk about how you can still see the second group.
Shadow spies
Use a torch and a small toy to make shadows on a wall. Move the torch and see what changes. An adult should switch the room light off and on.
Mirror message
Write a short secret word on paper and read it in a small mirror. Talk about what looks different and what stays the same.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Ask them to explain each answer in their own words. If you build a periscope together, an adult does any cutting. Praise careful thinking, not only correct answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or plenary in a light topic, as an early finisher task, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider science plan. It pairs well with torch and mirror experiments, a built periscope and everyday talk about shadows and reflections. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit the topic a few weeks later.
Where this fits in science
Earlier in primary school, children learn that light is needed to see, that dark is the absence of light, and that shadows form when something blocks it. Simple torch and mirror play at home is a good way to build that first understanding.
In Year 6, pupils use ideas about how light travels to explain how we see things. Later, in secondary school, they meet more detailed ideas such as refraction and lenses. This sheet gives practice in explaining clearly, which supports all of that.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Periscope Spy Mission for?
It is written for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11) in Key Stage 2. Younger children can try it with an adult, and older children can use the stretch idea on page 2 to push their thinking further.
- Do children need to build a periscope first?
No, but it helps. Children can do the sheet before or after building one. Pupils can test their answers by looking through the finished gadget. If you build one, an adult does any cutting.
- What if the sheet feels too hard?
Give the child a torch and a small mirror so they can watch a light beam bounce. Seeing it happen makes the questions easier to picture. Work through the first few together, then let them try the rest alone.
- Are the answers included?
Yes. Page 2 is for the grown up and includes the answers, notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Keep it separate until the child has finished.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, so you do not need colour ink. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It gets children thinking, talking and writing by hand, and it gives their eyes a rest from screens.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.