A Day in the Life of Our Shadows

K–12 Resource: Developing Models

Explore light and shadows with a fun tracing activity

About

Learning Objectives

Have you ever wondered how shadows change shape during the day? Let’s find out by exploring light and shadows with a fun tracing activity.

Materials Needed

  • Chalk
  • Paper
  • Pencils
  • Found items (drinking glass, book, toy, etc.)
  • Measuring tape
  • Flashlight
  • Shadow Sketch Worksheet or journal

Assignment

Get Ready

Get your chalk, notebook, and measuring tape, and team up with a friend or someone from your class.

Draw and Measure Your Shadow

In the morning, go outside with your class and find a sunny spot where you can see your shadow on the ground. With your partner(s), mark exactly where your feet are on the ground, then trace the outline of your shadow. After that, measure how tall your shadow is, and write down the height in your notebook.

Check back on your shadow in the afternoon and at the end of the day. Repeat the steps above, and trace how your shadow moves.

Think About It

Why do you think your shadow looks like this? Did the height of your shadow change? Compare your shadow with everyone in your group, and guess why this might be happening. Write down your hypothesis in your notebook.

Make a Model

Now, let’s try to understand this by making a small-scale model. Grab any 3-dimensional object you want in your class. Make sure it fits on a piece of paper. Put this object on a piece of paper, and get a light source. Shine your light source on your object from the left, the middle, and the top. Have a partner trace the shadow of the object at each point. How did the shadows change?

Test Different Materials

What happens to the shadow if you cover the light with glass, paper, or a book? What happens to the light, and why do you think this happens? Try to come up with some ideas.

Enjoy discovering the world of shadows!

Related Materials

  1. Shadow Sketch Worksheet

    PDF

    Trace the shadow of your found object and note the location of the sun as it moves across the sky

  2. The Art of Shadow Puppetry

    Artmaking

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    Ready to experiment with light and make fun shadows on your wall? Join Jordan and learn how to create a shadow puppet show using light and paper

  3. Drawing with Light: Make Sun Prints

    Artmaking

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    Let’s have some fun and use light to create beautiful drawings

  4. Explore Circles of Light

    Close Looking

    Print of four circles of light beaming through wire grids.

    Learn about a photograph by Henry Holmes Smith

  5. Meet Henry Holmes Smith: A Photographer Drawing with Light

    Reading

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    Read about a creative photographer who experimented with light

  6. Shapes and Shadows

    Watch a Video

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    Join Jessie and Jordan as they research a scary shadow

Extensions

Want to go further? Create a story about your shadow! You can write it down, draw it, make shadow puppets, or use another way to show the day of your shadow. How does its shape change throughout the day, and what do you think your shadow feels about it?

Related Standards

Credits and Licensing

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