Summary

These activities could be undertaken in the context of a unit of work on light or the Earth in space. Part 1 makes a useful introductory lesson and should be followed by the other activities in sequence. Teacher-led discussion and desk-based group activities could supplement these activities.

Suitable for

Years 4, 5 and 6

Using a non-interactive whiteboard

All the activities can be carried out using a non-interactive whiteboard from the host computer.

Prior learning required

Initial teacher-led discussion based on arousing the pupils' curiosity about shadows, what causes shadows and why the sun appears to move across the sky.

Aims and objectives

Pupils should be able to understand:

• what causes shadows
• why the sun appears to move across the sky and causes shadows which alter in length
• why shadows alter in length as they move closer to and further from a source of light

Timings

15 minute brainstorm or discussion introducing the topic and viewing of introductory activity
15 minute part
130 minute part 2
Choice of follow-up activities and part 3

Suggestions for group activities

• A different group of pupils could be responsible for operating the whiteboard during each activity, presenting their observations to the rest of the class at each stage.
• Carefully structured group activities repeating the investigation in part 2 with practical apparatus.

Suggestions for differentiation

The interactive activities are differentiated by the outcomes. The worksheet could be adapted for less able pupils by labelling the axes and providing a suitable scale.

Further activities

A variety of linked practical investigations on the theme of light, eg reflections using mirrors; the path of light rays through various lenses; observing the effect of coloured filters on the colour of objects.

Curriculum links

KS2 science

Physical processes: the Earth and beyond
4.3 how the position of the sun appears to change during the day, and how shadows change as this happens

Physical processes: light and sound
3.5 light cannot pass through some materials and that this leads to the formation of shadows

ICT

Modelling ? exploring aspects of real situations, changing variables in real time.

Communicating and handling information ? interpret and analyse information presented on screen.