Exploring shadows Here are some things to think about as we start the unit on shadows.
Many of these questions can be answered by simple
experiments that will only take a few minutes.
Do some of them, and for the rest discuss with your group how you might
do the experiment. You should also predict, based on your past experiences,
what you will observe in the situations described.
Look in the kit to see if we remembered to pack any shadows. There should
be at least one for each child in your classroom (they may be hard to find
if you are opening your kit in the dark!)
Compare the appearance of various shadows as made by direct sunlight, a
very cloudy day, and different kinds of lights indoors.
Can you have two shadows at once from the same object?
What are the necessary conditions and ingredients for producing shadows?
(Make a diagram of this one too.)
Does a shadow have a color?
Does a clear bottle full of water make a shadow?
How is the shape and size of a shadow related to the shape and size of
the object causing it?
How is the shape and size of a shadow related to the light that is involved?
What effect does the color of the light have?
As part of your discussion, write something in your notebook about
your answers to some of these questions -- what you decided, which questions
you were sure of, which ones don't seem to make sense.
All done? Check the box!
On to the first activity!