Me and My Shadow

  
Step 1: You and a partner will research how shadows are formed by clicking on the following links. You will record your findings on the Shadow Detective Journal page that you can print out from the resources section at the bottom of this page.

How are shadows formed? Shadows 1 - Shadows 2 - Shadows 3    

Learn how the Sun creates shadows on Earth.   "The Earth and Beyond: Shadows"

The Shadow: Look at how the shadow changes.  Shadow Changes 1

Step 2:  You and your partner will need to further investigate the mystery of shadows on a sunny day to accurately gather clues about shadow lengths. 

Materials Needed: a piece of chalk, a centimeter tape measure, a compass rose,  and a copy of the Shadow Length Observation page for data collection. (Print it out from the resources section below.)  

Procedure:  Along with the other detectives in your class, you will go outside to the blacktop area on the playground.  Find a sunny spot on the blacktop.  Decide who will stand on the blacktop and produce the shadow and who will measure the shadow.  It should be the same person each time.  Choose a place to stand and mark it with an X.   You will need to stand on this exact spot each time you measure your shadow.    The shadow maker should stand facing North.  Then the shadow measurer will take a picture of the shadow and measure the shadow length in centimeters.  Finally, look at the position of the Sun in the sky.  (IMPORTANT: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN!  IT WILL DAMAGE YOUR EYES.) Next, make a mark on the ground where the tip of your shadow hits.  Label the time.  Also, look at the direction that the shadow is pointing.  Record all your observations on the Observation page.

Step 3:   Now, you and your partner will make a Bar Graph to show the data you collected about shadow lengths and time of day.  Make a Bar Graph here. 

Step 4:  Finally, using what you have learned share your data with another pair of detectives and make a Power Point Presentation that you can use to teach first graders about shadows.  You should include your bar graph, photos, and a description about how the sun's position in the sky affects the length and position of shadows.  As you create your presentation think about what first graders need to know about shadows.