I always enjoy teaching shadows in science lessons. There are many opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Outdoors, I would facilitate a “Shadow Hunt.” Students will take turns observing their shadows at different times of the day, documenting the changes in length and direction. We’ll create a shadow art project where they can trace their shadows on large sheets of paper, encouraging creativity while reinforcing our understanding of how sunlight creates shadows. The children can also use chalk to compare where a shadow was before break and after break etc.
Indoors, we could conduct a simple experiment using a flashlight to simulate the sun. Students will explore how the angle of the light affects shadow size and shape with various objects. We could also read stories related to the sun and discuss its importance for life on Earth such as “The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal” by Nick Seluk.
Through these activities, students will gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the relationship between the sun and shadows, making learning fun and interactive!