Shadows - Teacher Explanation

Welcome to lesson 3.12 on Shadows, part of the Year 3 Unit on Light. In this lesson, pupils will explore the concept that shadows are created when an opaque object blocks light from a source. The lesson aims to help students recognize patterns in the changing size of shadows and understand the importance of safety when handling light sources, such as not directing them at anyone or looking directly into them. Teachers are reminded to ensure all equipment is safe and free from damage. The lesson offers a variety of cross-curricular opportunities, including historical research on solar eclipses, geographical studies on their occurrences, a look into the story of Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus, and the chance to graph experimental results.

The activities in this lesson involve experimenting with various objects to determine if they cast a shadow. Using a torch, lining paper or A3 paper taped to the wall as a screen, and a selection of transparent, opaque, and translucent objects, pupils will investigate the formation of shadows. They will observe that even water can cast a shadow, albeit a faint one, due to its ability to alter the path of light. The lesson will also cover shadow shapes, demonstrating that the shape of a shadow corresponds to the shape of the object casting it because light travels in straight lines. Additionally, students will learn how changing the angle of the light source can alter the length of a shadow. This concept is linked to the natural world, where the position of the sun affects the length of shadows throughout the day. To incorporate literacy, there's an engaging shadow puppet play activity where students can create characters from their favourite books and perform their stories, learning that the colours of their puppets won't be visible in the shadow, but may still enhance the creative process.