Your students can trace their shadows, just like Jada did.
Step 1: Have students pair up and trace each other’s shadows in chalk—first in the morning, then in the afternoon. Use different colors for different times of day. Be sure students trace around their shoes first and write their names next to their shadows.
Step 2: Near each shadow, have students draw an arrow to where the sun is in the sky at that time of day.
Step 3: At the end of the day, ask students why they think their morning and afternoon shadows pointed in different directions.
Switch to non-narrated version
In this Read-Along lesson, Jada explores why her shadow changes over the course of a day at the beach. The lesson includes a short exercise where students act out the movement of shadows with their bodies. You can extend the lesson with the optional activity, Trace Your Shadow, where students trace their shadows using colored chalk and track the shadow’s changes throughout the day.
Preview optional activity
Colored Chalk
Recommend two different colors per pair of students.
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Details
2 sticks per pair
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We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students will need a partner to help them trace their shadow.
You will need access to a playground or other area with a blacktop. This activity works best on a sunny day when students can clearly see their shadows.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
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