What Makes a Shadow?

Book Spotlight: What Makes a Shadow?

Welcome to the STEMHAX Book Spotlight. Today, we explore What Makes a Shadow? This is a wonderful introductory book for children to explore science. Although it was first published in 1962, it is still relevant today. This version was illustrated by June Otani.

This is the perfect book to lead into a hands-on exploration with shadow pictures and puppets.

Kids enjoy reading the same book over and over again. A physical copy of the book is highly recommended for the first reading of What Makes a Shadow?

HINT: After you read and explore, kids can utilize the YouTube read aloud in a listening center or quiet activity when they have finished their work.

Overview

Children are curious about their shadows. They discover them at a very young age. What Makes a Shadow? explores shadows from the sun, moon and artificial light, too. Children will enjoy the illustrations as they are colorful, and complex and not overwhelming. This book is a great addition to any classroom library. Kids will want to watch the read aloud over and over again, after you introduce the book to them.

What Makes a Shadow? – Read Aloud

Exploring What Makes a Shadow? with Young Learners

First, start with a book cover inspection. Show children the cover of the book, and ask, “what do you think this book is about?” Follow this with some open ended questions to get their minds warmed up.

• What does the sun do?
• What are some items that allow us to see objects when it is dark?
• What is a shadow?
• Where does a shadow come from?
• What color is a shadow?

After reading the book for the first time, ask more open-ended questions. Remember there are no wrong answers. Some questions might include:

• What are some shadows you might see outside?
• What size are the shadows?
• What happens to a shadow on a cloudy day?
• How does the earth have a shadow?
• How can you make shadows different sizes?
• What are some shadow pictures you can make?

Vocabulary

We have a book companion packet that works perfectly with this book. CLICK ===>HERE to explore a preview in my TPT Store. It will coordinate with any shadows theme or book. Included are some pictures to use in your lessons.

• Shadow – a dark area or shape on the other side of a light.
• Light – a form of energy that allows our eyes to see when it is dark.
• Small – little in the size of an object.
• Earth – the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
• Farther – the longer distance from the beginning starting point.

Fun Fact

The size of Earth was first calculated using shadows.

According to weirdfactsweb.wordpress/ “The first person to calculate the size of the planet Earth with a high degree of accuracy used simple geometric equations and measurements of shadows. Eratosthenes, the head librarian of the Great Library of Alexandria, performed this feat over 2,000 years ago, around 250 BCE.” CLICK===>HERE to read more weird facts about light and shadows.

Extend the Lesson

Here are some cool video lessons to extend the concepts in the book.

How to Make Shadow Puppets (Sesame Studio)

How To Make Shadow Puppets With Your Hand

Peep and the Big Wide World: Shadow Play

Hands-On Exploration

Allow young learners to explore making their own shadow puppets. You will need:

• Flashlight
• Wall
• Hands or Stick-puppets
• Darkened Room

Use the videos to guide young learners to practice the hand movements. Allow them to master the hand movements before turning off the lights. Repeat with other animals or objects.

Thank You

We appreciate you taking the time to learn about this here to stay read aloud What Makes a Shadow? Please consider following our YouTube Channel for more read aloud books relating to academic interest subjects.

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More Shadow Resources