What Makes a Shadow?

A shadow forms where an object blocks light, on the side away from the light.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 10

Light travels in straight lines. When something blocks the light, it makes a dark shape behind it: a shadow!
The shadow is always on the side away from the light. The sun is low in the east, so this tree's shadow stretches west.
Things you can't see through, like a book or your hand, make dark shadows. Clear things, like a glass window, let light through.
Move your hand close to a flashlight, and its shadow on the wall gets bigger. Move it away from the light, and the shadow gets smaller.
Your turn! Sort these. Which make dark shadows? Which let light go through?
Try it with a grown-up! In a dark room, shine a flashlight at the wall. Make hand shadows. What happens when you move your hand closer to the light?

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science:

S2E2.b — Design and build a structure that demonstrates how shadows change throughout the day.