Guess My Shadow

Literacy Science
Time 45 minutes
Age 5 & up
Group Size 4 or more
Tags 3D Shapes, Art, Early Childhood,   more...
Found Objects Game Games Guessing Light Observation Preschool Science Shadow Shapes

How good a guesser are you?

Learning to observe the characteristics of objects, use descriptive vocabulary and ask the kinds of questions that lead to desired answers are all critical skills for children to develop. In this shadow guessing game, children will utilize those skills while at the same time exploring the science of shadows.

Preparation

Gather the objects that will be used in this activity. Choose simple objects that children are familiar with (shoe, cup, etc.) and test them ahead of time to make sure that you have easy and difficult objects to guess.

Set up the “shadow screen”—stretch the white sheet across 2 chairs or pin it to a clothesline running across the room, etc. Make sure you can get behind the sheet. Set up the light source (the clamp lamp, etc.) behind the sheet, pointing at it, a couple of feet away. Place all of the shadow objects in a box behind the sheet.

Guess My Shadow
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Suggested Materials

  • Large white sheet
  • Flashlight, clamp lamp or overhead projector (see Preparation)
  • Miscellaneous objects
1

Make it Matter

Opening Discussion

Ask your students if they have ever noticed the shadow of something on a wall or on the ground before. Could they tell what it was? Have they ever noticed their own shadows on the ground?

The Challenge

Try to guess what an object is just by seeing its shadow!

2

Make it Happen

Doing the Activity

  1. Divide the class into 2 teams. Each team will take turns asking questions.
  2. Turn the room lights down low (or off, if possible). This will really help to make the shadows distinct.
  3. Select an object from the box, hold it up between the light and the sheet and challenge your students to guess what it is. Make sure that it projects a distinct shadow. Tell them that each team must ask at least two questions about what the object is before guessing. When they have guessed the object, have a volunteer come up, select a new object from the box (without looking in the box) and make a shadow on the screen. Teams will now guess this new object. Guessing what an object is counts as a question. You may keep score if you would like, though it is not necessary.
3

Make it Click

Let’s Talk About It

After one child from each team has had a turn, stop to have a discussion with the entire group. Is it easy or hard to tell what something is just by seeing its shadow? Is it always easy/hard, or are some things tougher? What are some of the questions they can ask that will help them guess the object more quickly?  Are there any questions that are probably not as helpful?

4

Make it Better

Build On What They Talked About

Return to the activity and have any other children that wish to pick an object do so.

Suggestions

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