Lesson Plan for Grade 3 - Science - Light and Shadows

**Lesson Plan: Light and Shadows** **Grade Level: 3** **Duration: 1 hour** --- ### Objectives: 1. Understand the basic properties of light and shadows. 2. Explore how different objects can create shadows. 3. Investigate how the position of a light source affects the shape and length of a shadow. ### Materials: - Flashlights (1 per group) - Various small objects (toys, blocks, etc.) - White paper sheets (1 per student) - Pencils - Construction paper - Scissors - Tape - Markers ### Introduction (10 minutes): - **Engage:** Begin with a brief discussion about light sources (Sun, lamps, flashlights, etc.). - **Question:** Ask students if they have ever noticed their shadow and what they think causes it. - **Objective Sharing:** Explain that today they will learn about how light creates shadows and what affects the shape and size of shadows. ### Direct Instruction (10 minutes): 1. **Explanation:** Describe how light travels in straight lines and how objects block light to create shadows. 2. **Demonstration:** Use a flashlight and an object to show how a shadow forms on the wall. 3. **Discussion:** Talk about opaque, transparent, and translucent materials and how they affect shadows differently. ### Guided Practice (15 minutes): 1. **Group Activity:** Divide students into small groups and distribute flashlights and objects. 2. **Experiment:** Have them create shadows on their desks or the floor by shining the flashlight on different objects. 3. **Observation:** Encourage students to move the flashlight to see how the shadow changes when the light source is moved closer or farther away, or to different angles. ### Independent Practice (15 minutes): 1. **Shadow Art:** Provide each student with a sheet of white paper and a small object. 2. **Drawing Shadows:** Students will place their object on the paper, use the flashlight to cast a shadow, and trace the outline of the shadow. 3. **Creative Touch:** Allow students to decorate their shadow outlines with markers, turning them into creative artwork. ### Discussion (5 minutes): 1. **Share Work:** Let a few students share their shadow drawings with the class. 2. **Question and Answer:** Discuss what they observed about how the shape and length of the shadow changed based on the position of the flashlight. ### Closure (5 minutes): - **Recap:** Summarize the lesson, highlighting key points about how light travels and how shadows are formed. - **Take-Home Activity:** Provide students with a simple worksheet to document shadows they see at home, noting the source of light and time of day. ### Assessment: - **Observation:** Monitor students during group work to ensure they understand the concept of light and shadow. - **Shadow Art:** Evaluate the students' shadow drawings for understanding of how shadows change with the light source. --- This lesson plan engages students with hands-on activities and allows them to explore and understand the properties of light and shadows in an interactive and creative way.