Shadow Shapes Game

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

1

Overview

Children move an object in front of a flashlight and observe how its shadow changes in this interactive game from PEEP and the Big Wide World. As children slide the object closer to and farther away from the light until its shadow matches the size of the object’s outline on the wall, they discover that when an object is moved closer to the light source, it blocks more light and its shadow becomes larger. Children also explore how changing the position of the light changes the direction in which the shadow of the object falls.

To view the Activity, Student Handout, and Teaching Tips for this interactive game, go to Support Materials. This resource was developed through WGBH’s Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms project, in collaboration with NASA.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 1

SC15.1.2

Construct explanations from observations that objects can be seen only when light is available to illuminate them (e.g., moon being illuminated by the sun, colors and patterns in a kaleidoscope being illuminated when held toward a light).

UP:SC15.1.2

Vocabulary

  • light
  • illuminate
  • construct
  • explanation
  • observation
  • available
  • objects

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Light comes from different sources (natural/man-made).
  • Objects can be seen only when there is a light source.
  • Objects can be seen if they give off their own light.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Gather evidence from observations to support the explanation that objects can only be seen when illuminated.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Objects can be seen only when a light source causes it to be illuminated.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect
Science (2015) Grade(s): 1

SC15.1.3

Investigate materials to determine which types allow light to pass through (e.g., transparent materials such as clear plastic wrap), allow only partial light to pass through (e.g., translucent materials such as wax paper), block light (e.g., opaque materials such as construction paper), or reflect light (e.g., shiny materials such as aluminum foil).

UP:SC15.1.3

Vocabulary

  • transparent
  • translucent
  • opaque
  • reflect
  • investigate
  • observe
  • light
  • partial
  • block
  • material
  • record
  • data
  • shiny

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Some materials allow all light to pass through.
  • Some materials allow partial light to pass through.
  • Some materials block all the light from passing through.
  • Some materials reflect light, which changes its direction.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Investigate to determine the effect of placing objects made of different materials in a beam of light.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Simple tests can gather evidence to determine that placing different materials in a beam of light will cause light to either: pass through, partially pass through, block, or reflect.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

CUSTOM
https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/buack2-sci-shadowshapes/shadow-shape…

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

PBSLearningMedia is free for teachers. Teachers need to create a free account to access all available resources. 

Approved Date

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