Click here to read field notes about shadows

Name of Activity:. Shadows

Category:. Let's Dance

Props: a flashlight or lamp

Your Role: model, coach

Directions: Using the flashlight in a darkened room, model how a shadow is formed. Explain that shadows replicate the same exact shape as and move like the person, hand, or object that casts the shadow. Using your hand model a very simple moving shape. For example, using your index and middle fingers, make a V shape and make that V shape move slowly across the wall. Next, use your whole body to make a shadow on the wall. Encourage your child to focus on this shadow and recall it because you will not be moving when your child is making his shadow. Keep taking turns until you feel that you have exhausted the activity for today.

Goals for You: to observe the shadow not you.

Goals for Children: record movement; attend to detail in self and in leader; observe movement; imitate leader's movement

Possible Strategy:

What to say Do you know what a shadow is. See how the light over there and my hand over here makes a shadow on the wall. Let me show you how the shadow can change shape. Let me show you how the shadow can move. Now I'm going to make this shadow. When I'm finished, I want you to make the same shadow with your hand.

What to do Focus you child on the shadow rather than on your hand. Ask your child to use his hand to make the same shadow move across the wall. Then have the child make a shadow and you follow.

Possible Shaping:

What to say

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Possible Ending:

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Material on this site created by Helane S. Rosenberg, Ph.D. and Yakov M. Epstein, Ph.D. in conjunction with their forthcoming book titled Play for Success. All material on this site is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or cited without written permission of Helane S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.. Dr. Rosenberg is Associate Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education of Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Epstein is Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Science of Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, NJ. He is also Director of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education of Rutgers University.

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