Science Activity
By Emily Rudolf
Performance Standard: S1P1
How Shadows Form
Light source:
Example- The Sun
Object to block the light:
Example- Your Body
A surface that the shadow
can form on: Example- The Ground
My Shadow, By Robert L. Stevenson
 http://www.poetrylover
spage.com/poets/stev
enson/stevenson_ind.
html
First listen to
the poem,
then read it
aloud with
your teacher!
Directions for Collecting Data
 Take turns standing on the pavement while you partner marks
the beginning and end of your shadow with a piece of chalk.
STAND STILL!
 Measure the length of the shadow in inches using the measuring
tape provided.
 On your Data Collection Sheet, record the length of your
shadow for the correct time of day we measure our shadows.
Use pencil.
 Make a bar graph of your data.
 Answer the questions on the back of your Data Collection Sheet.
 Meet in circle when you hear the chime.
Daily Observations Made Using a
Tape Measure
Student Data Collection Sheet:
My Shadow
Morning
Observation
Around Noon
Observation
Afternoon
Observation
6 inches
9 inches
17 inches
Use pencil to record your three measurements. Use this sheet to help you
with your bar graph.
Bar Graph
My Shadow Measurements for One Day
20
17
Inches
15
Morning
9
10
6
Around Noon
Afternoon
5
0
1
Times of Day
Problem Solving: Answer these
questions on the back of your graph.
1. What is the difference between your
afternoon shadow and your morning shadow?
2. What is the difference between your around
noon shadow and your morning shadow?
Remember to show your work!
Let’s Talk!
Why do shadows grow and shrink?
The light source, distances between the
light, the object blocking the light, and
the surface make shadows grow and
shrink.
Clouds make shadows too!
Let’s watch.
Online Activities for Students
http://www.learningmedia.co.nz/staticactivities/online_activi
ties/theshadow/
Shadow Facts
Whole group discussion: Student volunteers type in facts learned from the
shadow activity.
You Did It!!!
Table of Contents





Performance Standard: S1P1. Students will
investigate light and sound.
 b. Explain how shadows are made.
How do shadows form?
 Light source
 Object to block light
 Surface for shadow to form on
Read Aloud: My Shadow, by Robert L.
Stevenson (poem)
 External hyperlink
Directions for Activity
 Measure partner’s shadow
 Table: Data Collection Sheet
 Bar Graph of Data Collected
 Problem solving
Processes
 Inferring
 Observing
 Measuring
 Predicting
 Communicating





Group discussion on activity
Cloud Video Clip
Online activity
 External hyperlink
Radial Graph
 Facts learned from activity
Photo (The End!)
 Sound clip