Introduction

Eye on the Sky, Feet on the Ground

Light and shadow play is an amazing way for children to explore the world around them, and it can easily be accomplished at home.  See what happens on the next sunny day when your child plays by the window or steps outside on the sidewalk. 

A FAMILY SHADOW WALK

Go for a walk, look for shadows and have some lighthearted play.  Bring your phone along and take pictures of shadows you find.  Your children will love watching their shadows. When you return home, share your photos,  as your children talk about the shadows they saw.


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Here’s a sweet story about a bunny who takes a walk with his shadow……
 The Black Rabbit 

One sunny day, a tiny white rabbit notices a gigantic and strangely quiet black rabbit by his side. No matter where he goes, “the Black Rabbit was right behind him.” 

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SHADOW TOWERS

Build a fun tower out of blocks, Legos or maybe kitchen tools.    Build it with the sun at your back….in a sunny window or outside.  Any shape or size will do.

1.  Predict what the shadow might look like before you put the tower in the sun.

2.  Put your tower in the sun and move it until you have a shadow you like.

3.  INSIDE – trace your shadows with paper and pencil.  OUTSIDE – trace with sidewalk chalk.

Remember, any design works.
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MEASURING CUP TOWER

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 HUMAN SUNDIAL –  OUTDOOR SHADOW SCIENCE

Discover how shadows are created, and, measure the Earth’s rotation.  Young children think that the sun moves across the our sky throughout the day.  This activity will help kids begin to understand that it is actually the Earth that is rotating.

HOW TO MAKE A HUMAN SUNDIAL STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS

STEP 1 – CHOOSE A SUNNY DAY.  You will want to trace shadows several times during the day. 

STEP 2 – FIND A CONCRETE SPACE WHERE THE SUN SHINES ALL DAY TO MAKE A HUMAN SUNDIAL………….Make sure you have enough space in all directions around you, shadows can grow long, and houses often cover driveways.

STEP 3 – PLACE AN ‘X’ TO MARK THE SPOT WHERE YOUR CHILD WILL STAND EACH TIME THEY HAVE THEIR SHADOW TRACED.

STEP 4 – USE SIDEWALK CHALK TO TRACE YOUR CHILD’S SHADOWS AT LEAST 3 TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY………  Morning, noon, and late afternoon and/or early evening are great times of day to trace  the shadows.   OR do your shadow tracings every 2 hours or so.

STEP 5 – WRITE THE TIME OF DAY NEXT TO EACH TRACING.

Start Nature Journal

Parents can record for their younger children. Older children will enjoy recording their own observations.  

  • Are your shadows long and skinny, short and fat, etc.

  • Notice where the sun is for each tracing.

  • How long are the shadows?

  • Take a photo each time your shadow is traced.

  • Questions   When was your shadow the shortest?  When was it the longest?  Why do your think your shadow changes during the day?