Children build block structures on a surface between a lamp and a wall and observe the shadows cast on the wall.
Work together to build a big block structure.
Look! The light is casting shadows of our blocks on the wall.
Materials
- Bright LED lamp
- 2 tables
- Large white sheet of cardboard
- Building blocks (different-colored, if available)
- Small plastic toy animals (or other small toys)
- Optional: Positional Words Chart (PDF)
Preparation
- Set up two tables: one for the lamp and one as a building block work surface. Place the work surface near a wall and cover the wall area with white cardboard. This is where the shadows of the block structures will appear.
- Place blocks and a container of small toy animals on the building block work surface.
- Display the Positional Words Chart in the block area for children to use if needed when describing their shadows.
Directions: Lesson 3
Guided Small Group
- Have children work in small groups. Introduce children to the blocks and shadows setup. Possible discussion ideas:
- What do you see on the table near the wall?
- Why do you think I’ve put a light on this other table?
- Why do you think there is white cardboard on the wall?
- Turn on the light. Invite children to watch for interesting shadows as they build.
- As they build a structure, children will inevitably move between the lamp and the worktable. This will block the light and make the shadows disappear from the wall. Use this as a learning moment.
- Let’s see what happens when (child’s name) stands between the lamp and the block buildings. Can you see the shadows of the blocks on the wall? Why not? What shadow can you see instead?
- When children have finished building their block structures and have placed toy animals on the structures, it’s Shadow Show Time! Tell them to step away from the blocks so the shadows of the structures can be seen. Possible discussion ideas:
- Can you see a shadow of your block building? How did the shadow appear?
- Why can’t we see the shadow of the animal that’s in front of the building?
- How could we move things so the animal’s shadow can be seen?
- What is next to the animal? Can you see its shadow?
- Can you move it so its shadow can be seen?
- You may want to reach an agreement about Building Time related to when children are allowed to block the light in order to build, as opposed to Shadow Show Time when children builders step aside in order to provide a clear view of the shadows.
- Help children compare the block buildings to the shadows of the block buildings. Possible discussion ideas:
- Describe your block building to me. What color is it? What animals are on your block building?
- Now tell me about the shadow of the building. What color is it? Can you see all the animals in the shadow?
- How are the block buildings and the shadows of the buildings different?
- What are some ways you can make a shadow of an object disappear?
Learning Center
- At the Learning Center, children can continue building block structures alone, with a partner, or in a small group.
- Invite children to describe and compare the blocks and the shadows they cast on the wall surface.
- Encourage children to describe the location of different blocks, such as behind, between, in front of, next to, over, above, or under another block or animal.
