Science

How does the time of day affect shadows outside? Scientists investigate:

• Talk about:

  • How do shadows look and move?

  • Does the time of day affect your shadow outside?

• Go outside on a sunny morning Find your shadow. Observe and talk about:

  • How are you and your shadow the same?

  • How are you and your shadow different?

• If you have chalk and can stand on pavement, have someone outline your shadow in chalk. If you are not on pavement, you can mark the top and bottom of your shadow with rocks, cones, sticks or anything else you can find. Mark the spot where you are standing. What do you notice? Measure the length of your shadow. (You can use a ruler, a stick, or number of toe-to-heel steps.) Draw your observations and label the shadow length. You can use the page in Resources. Repeat the measurements around noon and later in the afternoon. Make sure to stand in the exact same spot.

• Talk about:

  • What do you notice?

  • Were your shadows the same or different throughout the day?

  • Why do you think you got the results that you did?

  • What other questions do you have?

Game Connection: Can you run away from your shadow? Play shadow tag? What other shadow games can you make up?