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Shadow Surprises
Sun & Shadows Unit | Anchor Phenomenon
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Shadow Surprises

Sun & Shadows Unit | Anchor Phenomenon
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This is a teacher-led and teacher-narrated lesson for more open-ended discussion.


Learn more about the Anchor Layer here,
or click next to get started!


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We’re going to start this unit with a challenge. You’re about to see a video. Your challenge will be to figure out what the video shows.
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The only rule is that you can’t say anything yet. You can use your hands to show what you think is in the video, but don’t say anything. If you don’t know what the video shows, that’s okay. You’ll find out soon.
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Remember: don’t say anything! Only use your hands to show what you think is in the video. When you are silent and ready to watch, click play.
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You might have ideas about what you think this is. Save those ideas—don’t say them yet. Discuss. What can you see? Try to focus only on what you can see, not what you think that this is.
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Now is your chance to say what you think this is. Watch again if you need to. Then, discuss. What do you think this is? Why do you think it is moving like that?
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Watch the video to see if you got it right.
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At first, you might have thought this was someone’s hands. But it’s not—this is the shadow of someone’s hands. The shadow is moving because the person’s hands are moving.
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You might have ideas about what you think this is. Save those ideas for the next step. Watch, then discuss. What do you see? Try to focus only on what you can see.
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Watch again if you need to. What do you think this is a shadow of? Why do you think the shadow is moving?
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Watch the video to see if you got it right.
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Video trouble?
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This was the shadow of a person. The shadow is moving because the person is running. Discuss. Do you think this video was moving slower, faster, or the same speed as real life? Why do you think that?
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Step
01/06
The next video is the biggest challenge yet. Get a See-Think-Wonder Chart, or make your own with a large sheet of paper. Your teacher will add your ideas to the class chart.
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02/06
In this video, focus on the shadows. Watch, then discuss. What do you see ? Your teacher will record your answers in the See column of your chart.
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03/06
What do you think these are shadows of? And why do you think these shadows are moving? Your teacher will record your ideas in the Think column.
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04/06
Do you think the video is moving slower, faster, or the same speed as real life? Your teacher will record your ideas in the Think column.
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05/06
What do you wonder about these shadows? Your teacher will record your questions in the Wonder column.
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06/06
Save your See-Think-Wonder Chart. You will add to it after the first lesson in this unit!
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It's time to do some investigations! In this unit, you'll explore light and shadow.

At the end of the unit, you will use everything you've learned in a fun project.

Have fun, and stay curious!

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🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
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Grade 1

Day Patterns

Sun, Shadows, & Daily Patterns

1-ESS1-1

284 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
Note: This lesson is part of this unit’s Anchor Layer. If you have the Anchor Layer turned on, we recommend teaching lessons 1-4 in this unit in order.

The anchor phenomenon for this unit is a set of strange shadows that are moving in a mysterious way.

During the introduction, students generate observations and questions about the phenomenon and create a list of possible explanations for the phenomenon.

Students will gather clues during and after each lesson in this unit to help them improve their understanding and explanations. It is important to encourage students to recognize that even if they don't know the perfect answer yet, they are going to learn a lot throughout the unit and will have an opportunity to revisit the phenomenon over time.
Preview activity
Number of students:
See-Think-Wonder worksheet 1 copy
Sun & Shadows Anchor Layer Teacher Guide teacher-only resource Print 1 copy
Prep Instructions

Important note for teachers: this Anchor Layer makes frequent reference to the motion of the Sun. The Sun does not actually move across the sky; rather, the motion of the Earth itself is what causes the Sun to appear to move. Due to a variety of limitations, we decided to refer directly to the motion of the Sun, instead of repeatedly referencing the apparent motion of the Sun. We recommend that you decide in advance for your students if you will make reference to the motion of the Sun, or if you will clarify for them that the Earth is what is actually moving.

Before starting this lesson, review the unit Teacher Guide for an overview of the Sun & Shadows Anchor Layer.

Set Up Your Classroom

Set up your classroom by creating a class "See-Think-Wonder" chart. You will start the chart today, and you will add to it over the course of the unit.

For the See-Think-Wonder charts, we recommend using chart paper or a space on your board that won't be erased, but here is a blank See-Think-Wonder chart if you would like to use it instead. We recommend that you create charts for the whole class, and record your student's thinking on it for them.

Grade 1

Day Patterns

Sun, Shadows, & Daily Patterns

1-ESS1-1

284 reviews

Extend this lesson

Unit Teacher Guide

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