What is our theme?
The sun, light and shadow
What is the lesson (overall purpose)?
Note: *This lesson takes place over the course of a full day.*
Students will be given an opportunity to make observations on how the sun moves during the day. Students will also explore the relationship between light and shadow.
MA Guidelines/Standards:
APL 2: The child will demonstrate eagerness and curiosity as a learner.
PreK-ESS1-2 (MA). Observe and use evidence to describe that the sun is in different places in the sky during the day.
PreK-PS4-2 (MA). Connect daily experience and investigations to demonstrate the relationships between the size and shape of shadows, the objects creating the shadow, and the light source.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will understand that the sun moves in the sky throughout the day.
- Students will provide evidence of the relationship between the sun, the time of day, the object, and their shadow.
- Students will demonstrate curiosity and initiative.
Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
“Shadows-The Dr. Bincos Show” – Education youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOIGOT88Aqc
Materials
- Chalk
- A consistently sunny spot outside to use chalk
Activity (Procedure):
Start this activity in the early/mid morning:
- Begin by watching the “Shadows” educational youtube link.
- Ask your child what they know about shadows. Review what there needs to be to have a shadow (light and object).
- Go outside, have chalk nearby. Ask your child if they see any shadows on the ground? A shadow from a tree, a chair, the car, or maybe they’ll find their own shadow! (If they don’t, point it out!)
- Now ask them where the light is coming from? (The sun of course!)
- Tell them you are going to trace their shadow on the ground (use the chalk!). Make sure to circle their feet before tracing their shadow.
- Explain how during the day the sun will be moving in the sky. Tell them you will come back later to see if their shadow moves too.
Early afternoon
- Go back to the circled feet and have your child stand in place. Trace their shadow. Has it moved?
Late afternoon
- Repeat the last step.
Activity Wrap Up:
Look at the different shadow tracings. What’s different? What’s the same? What happened?
How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
- Is my child engaged in this activity?
- Does my child know what is needed to create a shadow?
- Do they notice that their shadow has moved?
- Do they understand why and how their shadow moved?
How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
Trace shadows of different objects during the day!
Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions)
This is a hard concept to grasp sometimes for kids, review review review.
The sun, light and shadow
What is the lesson (overall purpose)?
Note: *This lesson takes place over the course of a full day.*
Students will be given an opportunity to make observations on how the sun moves during the day. Students will also explore the relationship between light and shadow.
MA Guidelines/Standards:
APL 2: The child will demonstrate eagerness and curiosity as a learner.
PreK-ESS1-2 (MA). Observe and use evidence to describe that the sun is in different places in the sky during the day.
PreK-PS4-2 (MA). Connect daily experience and investigations to demonstrate the relationships between the size and shape of shadows, the objects creating the shadow, and the light source.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will understand that the sun moves in the sky throughout the day.
- Students will provide evidence of the relationship between the sun, the time of day, the object, and their shadow.
- Students will demonstrate curiosity and initiative.
Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
“Shadows-The Dr. Bincos Show” – Education youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOIGOT88Aqc
Materials
- Chalk
- A consistently sunny spot outside to use chalk
Activity (Procedure):
Start this activity in the early/mid morning:
- Begin by watching the “Shadows” educational youtube link.
- Ask your child what they know about shadows. Review what there needs to be to have a shadow (light and object).
- Go outside, have chalk nearby. Ask your child if they see any shadows on the ground? A shadow from a tree, a chair, the car, or maybe they’ll find their own shadow! (If they don’t, point it out!)
- Now ask them where the light is coming from? (The sun of course!)
- Tell them you are going to trace their shadow on the ground (use the chalk!). Make sure to circle their feet before tracing their shadow.
- Explain how during the day the sun will be moving in the sky. Tell them you will come back later to see if their shadow moves too.
Early afternoon
- Go back to the circled feet and have your child stand in place. Trace their shadow. Has it moved?
Late afternoon
- Repeat the last step.
Activity Wrap Up:
Look at the different shadow tracings. What’s different? What’s the same? What happened?
How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
- Is my child engaged in this activity?
- Does my child know what is needed to create a shadow?
- Do they notice that their shadow has moved?
- Do they understand why and how their shadow moved?
How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
Trace shadows of different objects during the day!
Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions)
This is a hard concept to grasp sometimes for kids, review review review.
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