Early Science  /  Shadows  /  Books & Songs  /  Activity

Nothing Sticks Like a Shadow

 

Shadows
Books & Songs

Children listen to and discuss the book Nothing Sticks Like a Shadow, by Ann Tompert.

Sitting on the floor, a teacher holds up the book, 'Nothing Sticks Like a Shadow', as a group of students look on. A teacher holds a book up, open to a page that shows illustrations of rabbits jumping. The shadows of the rabbits are visible.

Look at the cover art. Do you see any shadows? What is making those shadows?

Rabbit is trying to run away from his shadow. Is it working? Why not?

 

Materials

  • Nothing Sticks Like a Shadow by Ann Tompert

Preparation

  1. Preview the story and possible discussion questions below before reading the book to the class.
 

Directions: Lesson 2

Circle Time: Wrap-Up
  1. Read the title of the book to the class and discuss the cover illustration:
    • Do you think this story takes place on a sunny day or a cloudy day? Why do you think so?
    • As a hint, you may want to point to the two shadows on the ground.
    • What part of Rabbit’s body is blocking the light? Discuss how the shadow is cast on the opposite side of where the light shines on Rabbit.
  2. Read the story aloud. Pause on page 9 to examine the picture of Rabbit’s head poking out of the bush. Discussion ideas:
    • Look at the shadow of the bush. What can you observe in that shadow?
    • Does that picture remind you of something we did outdoors during our shadow hunt? Tell me about that. What part of you did you stick out of the big shadow?
  3. Pause to discuss the picture on page 29. Do you see any shadows in this picture? Why has Rabbit’s shadow disappeared?
  4. On page 31, have children examine the picture to answer the question, Why has Rabbit’s shadow appeared again on this page? What light source is making the shadow? The back of Rabbit is blocking the moonlight. Where does his shadow appear?
  5. Help children connect to their own experiences. Have you ever seen your shadow by moonlight?
Length of Play

5–10 min.

Group Size
In the Schedule
 
Vocabulary
  • appear
  • cloudy
  • disappear
  • light
  • observe
  • shadow
  • sunny
 
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).