Open Exploration: Light and Shadows
Your Turn!
Make shadows! Use all different objects that you can find. Use different light sources too.
Think about:
- How you can change your shadows?
- How can shadows move?
- What different types of shadows can you make?
Draw what you see.
Reflect:
What questions about light and shadows do you still have? How was the documentation process helpful?
Beginning Open Exploration in Your Classroom
Now that you have had a chance to explore the materials, it is time to introduce Light and Shadows to your students.
Week 1: Observing everyday shadows and light.
- Introduce light and shadows during circle time. What do students know about light and shadows? Ask them to list different things that make light and write them on a chart.
- Show the students images of all different kinds of light sources.
- For a literacy connection, read Frank Asch's Moonbear's Shadow or another book with shadows.
- Go on a neighbhorhood walk or a walk around your school. Where do the students see shadows or light? See if the students can find their own shadows. What if it were a cloudy or rainy day, would they see shadows? Why or why not?
Week 2: Focused observing of shadows
- Take students outside and observe shadows over the course of the day, then discuss as a class.
- Let students explore indoor shadows with flashlights and paper, then discuss as a class.
- Create one or two centers with materials slowly introduced. Table top shadow box, shadow and light wall, or a fort are great center ideas.
These students explore shadows outside.
Sample Conversation between Teacher and Student
Teacher: "What happened to your shadow when your hopped?"
Student: "It hopped in front of me."
Teacher: "Where is your face?"
Student: "I can't see it."
Teacher: "Why?"
Student: "Shadows don't have a face. My shadow is me."
Exploring translucency and changing shadow size will take place more fully during Focused Exploration.
