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Shadows in the Schoolyard

Provided by: Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education |Published on: July 28, 2023

Lesson Plans Grades k-2, 3-5

Synopsis

In this lesson, students determine what happens to shadows throughout the day, why shadows vary in length depending on the time, and why shadows disappear at times.
Students will record their measurement data on the chart and explore the reasons behind the data.

Subjects: Science, English Language Arts, Mathematics

Authors: Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point K-12 Energy Education Program

Region: North America, USA - Midwest, United States, Global, Wisconsin

Languages: English

Positives

This lesson provides many extension activities for students to expand on and present their knowledge about the sun's position in the sky and the impact it has.
This is an inquiry-based lesson, which will allow students to take pride in knowledge they have discovered through experimentation.

Prerequisites

The lesson calls for students to write in their energy learning logs. This is something that will need to be prepared prior to starting this lesson.
Students should understand that the Earth's rotation changes the placement of the sun in the sky.
The assessment portion references an energy flow mural, which is not included or explained in this lesson plan.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can talk about how the changing placement of the sun in the sky may impact the use of solar energy, and the solution to this. Students may also want to discuss wind energy, which is also driven by the energy of the sun.
Students in math classes can create graphs to show the length of the shadows at various times in the day or answer math questions to compare two different lengths at different times.
Students in language arts classes can write a play or story about the mystery of the disappearing shadow. They can also read other mysteries to get an understanding of the genre.
Students can either use standard measurements of length or measure with string or other objects, so long as all students use the same practice for each shadow.
Advanced students can connect this phenomenon with the orbit of the Earth, tilt of the Earth, and seasons.
This activity is part of KEEP's K-6 Solar Tilt Kit lesson where students will learn how solar panels generate electricity and use KEEP's Solar Tilt Kit to determine the factors that impact the amount of electricity generated by a solar panel.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format