Light and shadows

2007-11-19T06:29:45Z

There are several interesting activities in the text regarding light. I remember wanting to do an activity (in my last years placement) using flash lights but couldn't think of one. The activity on page 296 is a good light activity about learning how nothing can be seen without light. By using a flash light children can realize that they can make the dark go away, with light. I can see this being helpful for children who are afraid of the dark. They can simply turn on a light and make the darkness go away. The teacher can talk about night-lights and how they make the darkness disappear. The teacher can also reassure children that it's common and many of children experience the same fear. I remember having a nightlight when I was young, I didn’t like falling asleep in the dark but eventually I found it easier to fall asleep without the light. But I grew to become comfortable with the dark as I realized nothing bad was lurking.

I think children would love learning about shadows. I would use the activity on page 289-99 in my class to teach how we can block the sun by making shadows outside on the cement. The children can take turns tracing each other’s shadow. It’s an appropriate way to introduce light concepts to kindergarten and grade one students. It’s very fascinating for children to explore and experiment with flashlights and shadows. When I lived with my nieces and nephew we would play with the flashlight in the darkened hall way in the evening and make shadow puppets. I showed them how I can make a dog using my fingers and it would be seen if I put my hand in front of the light that was shining at the wall. They loved it! They also loved taking turned holding the flash light while the other jumped around in front of it making a shadow on the wall. How many times do you see people at the movie theatre trying to make shadows with their hands by putting their hand in way of the projectors light? Even teenagers find it enjoyable to play with light.

There are many ways to integrate other subjects into learning about light such as creative movement, physical education, creative art activities, such as sun catchers.

Sun catchers: simple and easy to do.

1. Corn syrup & food colouring

2. Paint onto wax paper

3. Hang on the window and see how the colours shine from the sun

moncherie07

Light and shadows