Light, Shadows and Reflections

Shadow Size

In this investigation your child will perform a simple test to investigate the relationship between the distance of a light source and the size of a shadow. Your child will record their results in a table and graph. They will use this information to draw conclusions.

Throughout our Light, Shadows & Reflections topic you will learn about making shadows, looking at and measuring shadow size and making shadow puppets. Beyond shadows you learn about mirrors and reflections in artwork and colour. Hands-On Education are passionate about providing positive educational experiences for children through interactive and engaging hands-on activities. Whilst meeting the standards in the National Curriculum in England, our activities encourage children to play, explore, observe, build, create and much more. We promote child-led learning, inspiring confidence and independence as children develop their own ideas and understanding.

Within this topic you will find:

9 activity plans, all of which clearly explain how to prepare and carry out each activity.
6 activity sheets to support your child in recording their investigations.
A video, providing examples of Reflections In Art to inspire your child’s own creativity.

This topic meets aspects within the National Curriculum in England in the following subjects: Science, Art, Maths and English.

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Click to Enlarge	Activity	Resources	Relation to National Curriculum	Downloads
Relation to Curriculum in England: = Art = Maths = Science Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s) = Play Video = Download Video
	Activity 2 Making Shadows Investigation	Making Shadows Investigation Activity Sheet Light source: torch / lamp Pencil Magnifying glass Book Glass Tissue paper	Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions Sc3/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change

Our Light, Shadows & Reflections Activities

Activity 1 Investigating Light	Activity 2 Making Shadows Investigation	Activity 4 Sundial Investigation	Activity 5 Drawing Shadows	Activity 6 Shadow Puppets	Activity 7 Mirror & Reflections	Activity 8 Reflections In Art	Activity 9 Making Colours Through Light

Symbols Key

Relation to Curriculum in England:

Download Links:

Activity 3
Shadow Size

Practical Resources:

Investigating Shadow Size Activity Sheet
Plain white paper
Torch
Tac
Measuring tape / ruler
Interesting object(s)
Pencil

Relation to Curriculum in England:

Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries
Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
Sc3/1.7 using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object
Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Ma3/3.1a measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm)
Ma3/4.1a interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables