Early Science  /  Shadows  /  Week 1: Lesson 1  /  Activity

Guess Whose Shadow?

 

Shadows
Books & Songs

Children listen to and discuss the book Guess Whose Shadow? by Stephen R. Swinburne.

A teacher holds the book 'Guess Whose Shadow' up to his students. He points to a photo that shows a girl jumping. A teacher holds a book up. The book is open to show some photos of shadows, one created by a bird, and the other created by a child holding up a stuffed animal.

As you read the book aloud, pause to discuss the photos.

What shadows do you see?

 

Materials


  • Guess Whose Shadow? by Stephen R. Swinburne

Preparation

  1. Familiarize yourself with the pictures and text in Guess Whose Shadow?
 

Directions: Lesson 1


Circle Time: Introduction
  1. As you read the book aloud, pause to examine and discuss the photos together. Possible discussion ideas:
    • What object is making the shadow?
    • What surface does the shadow appear on?
    • Compare the shadow and the object. How are they the same? Different?
 

Directions: Lesson 2


Guided Small Group
  1. As you read the book aloud, pause to examine and discuss the photos together. Discussion ideas:
    • For the photo of children chasing a hen, you may ask, What shadows do you see? Do the children notice the shadows of the hen, the children, and the trees?
    • For the photos of children at the beach, climbing structure, and bus stop, you may ask, What shadows do you see? What is blocking the light to make those shadows?
    • For the photo of two children at a drinking fountain, you may ask, What shadows do you see? What is blocking the light to make those shadows?
    • For the photo of a boy standing on a red, blue, and yellow number grid, you may say, Look at the shadow of the boy’s head. What number is it touching? Is this a game we could play next time we are outside on a sunny day?

Note: The photo pairs in the second half of this book are used to introduce the digital Mystery Shadows Game during Lesson 2, Guided Small Group.


Length of Play

5 min.

Group Size
In the Schedule

 
Vocabulary

  • appear
  • behind
  • below
  • block (the light)
  • compare
  • describe
  • different
  • in front
  • light
  • next to
  • same
  • shadow
  • surface
 
Learning Goals

Science
  • Observe and describe shadows (identify the light source, the object that blocks the light, and the shadow or darker area on the surface on the opposite side of the light source).