Grades 2–4
Track a Shadow
Measure the shadow of one object four times in a day, draw it at noon and at three, and explain the change.
Science worksheet · Light and shadows
Where Does Light Come From?
Sort eight light sources into natural light and light made by people, then answer a question about the dark.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–2
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Topic
- Light and shadows
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Light and shadows, Reflection, Light sources
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Some light is natural: it comes from nature. Some light is made by people with electricity or fire.
- Write each light source in the right column.
- Circle True or False.
- The moon makes its own light.
- We need light to see.
- What could you see in a room with no light at all?
Words on this sheet
the starsa lampa candlethe sunNatural lightTrueFalse
Teacher tip
Ask kids to name the light sources they can see in the room right now.
How to use it
- Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to make shadows on the wall.
- Go outside at two times of day to look at shadows.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Never look straight at the sun, even with sunglasses.
Talk about it
- What makes a shadow longer or shorter?
- What did you notice that surprised you?
Take it further
Put on a shadow puppet show with paper puppets.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More light and shadows worksheets
Grades 2–4
Transparent, Translucent or Opaque?
Sort nine materials by how much light gets through, then circle what makes a shadow.
Grades 2–4
Mirrors and Reflections
Six facts about light and mirrors to mark true or false, then write your name the way a mirror shows it.
Grades 1–3
Colors of the Rainbow
Number the seven rainbow colors in order, fill in two sentences about prisms and raindrops, then draw a rainbow.
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