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Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource

Shadows & Light Direction — 5E Lesson Plan

Physical Science · 35 minutes

Grade 1

5E lesson flow

  1. 01

    Engage

    5 min

    Teacher Does

    Shine a flashlight past a toy onto a screen.

    Students Do

    Point to the dark shape and describe what they notice.

    Ask

    • Where is the shadow?

    Look For

    Students identify the shadow as the dark area behind the object.

  2. 02

    Explore

    9 min

    Teacher Does

    Use a toy on large white paper (no upright screen). Shine the flashlight from left, then right, keeping the toy fixed; students point to its changing tabletop shadow.

    Students Do

    Predict, observe, and point to where the shadow moves.

    Ask

    • What moved? What stayed the same?

    Look For

    In the tabletop direction test, the toy stays fixed and only flashlight direction changes.

  3. 03

    Explain

    6 min

    Teacher Does

    Connect shadow, light source, block, and direction to the observations.

    Students Do

    Use gestures and short oral sentences.

    Ask

    • Why is there a dark shape?

    Look For

    The object blocks some light.

  4. 04

    Elaborate

    10 min

    Teacher Does

    In a separate test, set an upright screen behind the toy. Keep both fixed and move the flashlight closer and farther on the SAME side.

    Students Do

    Compare shadow size and identify the changed variable.

    Ask

    • Which shadow is larger? What changed?

    Look For

    Flashlight distance changed; object and screen stayed fixed.

  5. 05

    Evaluate

    5 min

    Teacher Does

    Return to the white-paper tabletop setup and show one new flashlight position before turning on the light.

    Students Do

    Predict the shadow side before the light turns on.

    Ask

    • Where will the shadow be?

    Look For

    Prediction on the side away from the light.

Student goal

I can use light position to predict and explain a shadow.

Learning objectives

  • Observe that an object can make a shadow when it blocks light.
  • Describe how moving the light source can change a shadow's direction or size.

Materials

  • Cool flashlights
  • Small opaque classroom objects
  • White cards or wall screen
  • Tape for position marks
  • Paper
  • Crayons

Before class

  • For direction testing, mark a toy position on large white paper; do not use an upright screen.
  • For size testing, set up an upright screen behind the toy and mark near/far flashlight positions on the same side.
  • Darken only enough to see shadows safely.

Prior knowledge

  • Light helps us see.
  • Some materials can block light.

Vocabulary

shadow
A dark shape made where light is blocked.
light source
Something that gives off light.
block
To stop light from reaching a place.
direction
The way something points or moves.

Differentiation

  • Read prompts aloud.
  • Let students point or move a paper arrow before speaking.
  • Use the frame: The light is on __, so the shadow is on __.
  • For extension, ask students to predict before every trial.

Assessment

  • Check one correct left/right shadow prediction.
  • Check that students identify what stays the same in a fair test.
  • Check one evidence-based sentence about a shadow change.

Exit ticket

If the flashlight moves to the other side, what may happen to the shadow?

Extension

Try a taller or shorter object while keeping the light position the same.