Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Shifting Shadows

For Students K - 1st
Why does your shadow move throughout the day? Watch this PEEP video [1:27] to understand how the sun's movement causes our shadow to change direction, shape, and size. Also included are teaching tips and how to conduct your own chalk...
Activity
Harvard University

Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground: The Earth's Rotation

For Students 3rd - 8th
Plenty of cool activities about the Earth's rotation can be found here, such as tracing shadows, observing shadows during different times of the day, and tracking the sun's path in the sky to understand the rotation of the earth.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium:seasons/shadows: Investigate How Shadows Shift Throughout the Year

For Students 9th - 10th
Ancient Chacoans used shadows to tell daily time and seasons. Build a model that demonstrates the changes in Earth's tilt that affect the length of shadows relative to the sun that determines the seasons. The lesson plan uses everyday...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Portable Sundial

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity students will investigate the accuracy of sundials and the discrepancy that lies between "real time" and "clock time". They will track the position of the sun over the course of a relatively short period of time as they...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Night Light Video

For Students K - 1st
Watch PEEP and Quack [8:49] have fun with shadows in the middle of the night using flashlights. They learn that shadows can grow and change shape by rotating the object. An additional hands-on activity is provided for students along with...