Tuesday 26th January

I hope everyone’s staying safe and enjoying the fun activities we have posted so far.

In my last activity we used a torch to search for objects. The torch created a light to allow us to see the objects in the dark. When using the torch you might have noticed that when the light from the torch hit the object it creates a shadow behind the object.

Today’s activity is exploring shadows. Let’s find out what a shadow is and how a shadow is created. Use an ipad, computer or phone to search and find out some facts about shadows. Here are some videos that I found:

Shadow | The Dr. Binocs Show | Educational Videos For Kids – YouTube

How to Make Shadow Puppets (Sesame Studios) – YouTube

A poem called My Shadow

We are going to create our own shadows!

So first we need a light source. Ask your child if they can think of different types of light sources ?                                      (torch, sun or a lamp)

Here are some activities you can try to create shadows.

1. Create you own shadow show. Place your light source  on the floor, on a table or get someone else to hold it for you (unless you’re using the sun which is hopefully shining brightly today) and shine it towards the wall. You can move your hands closer or further away from the light source to see what happens to the shadow.  Use your hands to create different character/animal shadows on the wall. Use your imagination to create a story for your shadow. Here are some ideas of how to create some different shadow animals:
2. Find some items in your house that you want to create the shadow of and then try to draw around the shadow it creates. You will need paper and pens or pencils for this one. Use your light source to create a shadow of your object onto the paper, use your pen/pencil to try and draw around the shadow. (You will need to make sure you don’t block your source of light or the shadow will disappear) You can also count the items, discuss the size of the items and could try to order them by size.

1. If the sun is out you could go outside and create shadows with your body on the ground. You could use your shadow to create a shadow dance or play shadow tig with a family member.

1. Try and create some shadow letters, numbers or shapes. You could use your hands or draw the shape on paper and cut it out to create your shadow when you place it in front of the light. Ask your child if they can identify what letter, number or shape they have made.
   Remember to send any videos or photos of your work to my email : sherrie.devlin@eastayrshire.org.uk

Have fun!

Curricular areas covered:

Technology – discussing/use of different items to search information about shadows. Discussing how shadows are created and different types of light sources.

Literacy – using their imagination to create shadows, characters and shows. Recognising letters.

Numeracy -discussing the size of the shadows they make when moving closer or further away. Discussing  the size of the items they have used to create shadows and draw around. Sort in size order. Recognising numbers/shapes.