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Shadows

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Light and Shadows

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Objectives

Discover how shadows are made and investigate first hand how changing the orientation of an object or the material it is made from can affect the nature and shape of the shadow. Create shadow puppets in preparation for a shadow puppet performance.

Science Objectives
i) Recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object.

Working Scientifically

  1. Identify differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes.
  2. Use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.

Other Curriculum Areas
Design and Technology

  • Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Non-chronological report: Write a report about all that you have discovered about shadows for BBC Bitesize.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Copies of the Task Notes (1 for adult use in tasks 1 & 2 and 1 between 2 children for task 3)

Additional Resources

  • A room with good blackout facilities
  • Several screens/sections of light coloured wall, or large sheets of white card
  • A mini whiteboard and dry wipe pen per child
  • A selection of familiar household and classroom items in a box
  • A collection of opaque, transparent and translucent objects including a pair of glasses with clear glass lenses and opaque frames
  • A bright lamp
  • An overhead projector and 5 or 6 bright torches
  • A4 sheets of black card
  • Scissors
  • White pencil crayons
  • Split pins & garden canes
  • Masking tape

Weblinks
Shadow puppet play of The Three Little Piggies from www.YouTube.com
Shadow puppet tutorial film clip from www.YouTube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Investigate how objects made from different materials cast shadows.
  • Understand how a shadow changes depending on the object’s orientation.

Activities

  1. Actively investigate how different objects cast shadows by playing a guessing game.
  2. Understand opaque, transparent and translucent and the shadows these objects cast.
  3. Investigate how the orientation of an object affects the shadow by making hand shadows.
  4. Create jointed shadow puppets controlled with a flexible stick connection.

Investigation - exploring
Investigate how different objects create shadows.

Vocabulary
Transparent, translucent, opaque, shadow

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