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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

Make a shadow bigger or smaller

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Make a shadow bigger or smaller.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: How shadows form when light is blocked

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Slinky or rope, Mirrors and torches, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (How shadows form when light is blocked). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Your shadow always points away from… (the light source / your friends / the ground / the nearest tree) → the light sourcePrompt: Where is the light coming from?
  2. True or false? A shadow shows the outline of an object but not its colours. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What does an object do to light to make a shadow?
  3. Shadows: which statement is true? (Your shadow moves when you move. / A shadow shows your face and your eyes. / The shadow of a cup has the shape of a triangle. / Shadows point towards the light.) → Your shadow moves when you move.Prompt: Picture a torch, a toy and a wall.

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
  • Share the objective: Make a shadow bigger or smaller. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: In a shadow puppet show, how can you make the puppet's shadow BIGGER on the screen?
  • Step 1: Closer to the light → bigger shadow.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Move the puppet closer to the light.
  • Answer: Move the puppet closer to the light.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. At what time of a sunny day is your shadow shortest? (around midday / it is always the same length / just before sunset / just after sunrise) → around middayPrompt: When is the Sun highest in the sky?
  2. True or false? An object always makes a shadow the same size, wherever the light is. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Picture a puppet near the lamp and then near the screen.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. How can you make a shadow SMALLER and sharper? (Use a bigger object. / Shake the object. / Move the object right next to the light. / Move the object closer to the screen, away from the light.) → Move the object closer to the screen, away from the light.Prompt: Which way would you move the object, towards the lamp or towards the screen?
  2. True or false? Shadows are longest at midday. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Picture a puppet near the lamp and then near the screen.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: How shadows form when light is blocked.
  • Use concrete materials: slinky or rope.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Make a shadow bigger or smaller

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Shadows are longest at midday.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Noah moved a toy away from a torch (flashlight). At which distance was the shadow tallest?

    Shadow height (cm) for each distance from the torch010203040506070807610 cm6420 cm5430 cm4340 cm
    • A. 10 cm
    • B. 20 cm
    • C. 30 cm
    • D. 40 cm

  3. Question 3

    How can you make a shadow SMALLER and sharper?

    • A. Shake the object.
    • B. Move the object closer to the screen, away from the light.
    • C. Move the object right next to the light.
    • D. Use a bigger object.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Moving a puppet away from the light makes its shadow bigger.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Noah moved a toy away from a torch (flashlight). At which distance was the shadow smallest?

    Shadow height (cm) for each distance from the torch010203040506070808010 cm6820 cm5630 cm4140 cm
    • A. 10 cm
    • B. 20 cm
    • C. 30 cm
    • D. 40 cm

  6. Question 6

    Why is your shadow long in the early morning?

    • A. The Sun is directly overhead.
    • B. You grow in the night.
    • C. The Sun is low in the sky.
    • D. The ground is wet.

  7. Question 7

    True or false? Late afternoon shadows are longer than midday shadows.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    At what time of a sunny day is your shadow shortest?

    • A. it is always the same length
    • B. just after sunrise
    • C. around midday
    • D. just before sunset

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Answer key: Make a shadow bigger or smaller

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. A. 10 cm

  3. 3. B. Move the object closer to the screen, away from the light.

  4. 4. B. False

  5. 5. D. 40 cm

  6. 6. C. The Sun is low in the sky.

  7. 7. A. True

  8. 8. C. around midday