Me and My Shadow

Concepts: shadow formation, shadows are produced when a light source is blocked, the sun is a light source

Essential Questions:
How are shadows formed? How can shadows change?

Materials Needed: Flip Video Camera, Sunny day, 4 Question cards
1.Did your shadow change during the day? 2. When was your shadow the smallest? 3.When was your shadow the largest? 4. Why did your shadow change? 5. What was the light source that made the shadow? 6. How are shadows made?

Procedure:
Prior to lesson: Have a parent release form signed for videoing.
Discuss what was learned when using a light to make shadows in the classroom.

Assign student groups, one experimenter, one videographer, and one interviewer. The students will video each other while each student stands facing the sun. As the students make their shadows, have them look at their feet. Ask them what they see. They should say they see their shadow and then experiment with their shadow's shape and size.
On the last time, one student will video the student making the shadow and one student will 'interview' the student who is making the shadow, using the question cards. Then, the students will swap roles of videographer, interviewer, and experimenter so that all students have a chance to be participate in all three roles.
The interviewer should interview the experimenter by asking two questions on the cards. (Each student in the group should answer 2 different questions.)

Assessment:
Students will be assessed by their peers and teacher watching the videos and listening to the student responses to the questions.
Students will share the videos with their classmates and their families.