Choose from one of the activities or activity sets outlined in this module:
Activity: The Spherical Earth
Activity Set: The Planets
Activity Set: The Moon
Activity Set: The Sun and Shadows
How would you use the activity in your classroom? Post a reflective piece to the forum (150 words min) as a reply to this post. You may include digital records of the activities.
Activity Set: The Sun and Shadows (assuming the children have already learned that the sun is a light source)
(I have created this lesson with my special education setting in mind)
Aim: Explore how objects block light to create shadows. Show flexibility and inventiveness in thinking. Explore and describe spatial relationships and shapes.
Introduction: To spark curiosity I would sing the song “Where is Shadow from “The Bear in the big Blue house”
“Oh, Where Oh Where Oh Where Is Shadow?
Where Oh Where Oh Where Is Shadow?
Where Oh Where Oh Where Is Shadow?
Where Can Shadow Be?”
I would sing this whilst creating shadows on the whiteboard with a bear using the projector. I would move the bear around to show that shadows can change size.
Main body:
Activity 1: distribute a little sensory box to each of the children. Inside will contain a mini flashlight and textured toys and objects of various sizes and some different surfaces. The children can cast unique shadows that they can touch and explore combining sensory stimulation with play.
Teacher will use talk and discussion throughout the lesson incorporating all the vocabulary relating to the shadow and sun theme. Sample statements…
the torch acts like the sun and makes a shadow.
look what happens when you hold the light close to the teddy.
look what happens when you move the light away from the teddy.
Can you make teddy jump up and down?
What happens if we turn the light off? What happens when the sun goes down?
Activity 1; give each child a turn to come up in front of the projector to carry out their own action, making their own shadow. e.g. star jump, hop, act like an animal etc. give the children different ideas to explore using their bodies.
Conclusion: sing the song again, this time with the shadow disappearing in the end and leaving the children in darkness. At this point the children will be lying down on their mats with blankets and cushions and cuddlies. I will read them the story “I love my Shadow”
The book will then be used to open the next lesson.
Please also respond to at least one other participant’s post.