Objective: KWBAT use data to explain why shadows change size and direction throughout the day.
Warm Up
Welcome back astronomers! Today we’re going to investigate shadows to learn why they change size. Read to learn the definition of a shadow, and then investigate it!
Which of the following explains how the window shadow is formed?
Look at the shadows and make a prediction. Why do shadows sometimes look so much bigger or smaller than we are? Explain your answer.
Use all the sentence starters to write your sentences:
Shadows look so much bigger than we are because ______________________________.
Shadows look so much smaller than we are because ______________________________.
Knowing about what direction the sun rises and sets in helps us understand shadows. The sun rises in the EAST and sets in the WEST.
What happens to the length of the shadows as the sun moves across the sky? Select all that apply (there may be more than one correct answer)
The length of the shadows…
What happens to the direction of the shadows as the sun moves across the sky?
The direction of the shadows…
Shadow Investigation
We noticed a pattern in the length of the shadows in the video as the sun moved. Today, we are going to investigate how the position of the sun affects the length and direction of shadows throughout the day by shining a light from different locations.
Which happens on the west side?
“sunrise” or “sunset” in the blank box in the diagram.
Which happens on the east side?
“sunrise” or “sunset” in the blank box in the diagram.
Used the diagram below to answer questions 7 and 8:
Make a Prediction: I think the shadows will be longest at position number(s) …
Select all that apply (there may be more than 1 correct answer)
Now, we’re going to investigate! Use the following materials.
1 Flashlight
1 Figurine/Small Object
1 Shadow Tracking Paper (blank paper)
Procedure:
Put your small object in the center of the paper.
Starting on one side of the object, shine the light in an arc over the object.
Notice how the shadow length and direction change at each of the five spots.
Respond to the questions below.
Used the diagram below to answer questions 9 and 10:
The longest at position number(s) …
Select all that apply (there may be more than 1 correct answer)
When the “sunlight” is coming from the LEFT (West), what direction does the shadow go?
Circle the direction below.
We often say that the sun moves through the sky and “rises” and “sets”, but it only looks like the sun is moving. We know that the sun and other stars DO NOT MOVE.
What’s really happening to make it seem like the sun is moving?
Sentence starter: The sun does not move, but it looks like the sun is moving through the sky because _________________________________
Check Your Understanding! Which of the following images correctly shows where the shadow would be located?
Which shadow is bigger?
There is a bigger shadow because __________________
Select all that apply (there may be more than one correct answer)
Which shadow is smaller?
There is a smaller shadow because __________________
Now that we’ve learned about shadows, let’s return to this question. Why do shadows sometimes look so much bigger and smaller than we are?
Explain your answer using words from the word bank below.
Word bank: sun lower smaller higher bigger shadow
Why does a shadow look bigger than we are?
Explain your answer using words from the word bank below.
Word bank: sun lower smaller higher bigger shadow
Sentence starter: A shadow looks bigger than we are because ___________________________
Why does a shadow look smaller than we are?
Explain your answer using words from the word bank below.
Word bank: sun lower smaller higher bigger shadow
Sentence starter: A shadow looks smaller than we are because ___________________________
Make a Prediction: I think the shadows will be shortest at position number …
The shadows will be shortest at position number …
