Grades 2–4
Transparent, Translucent or Opaque?
Sort nine materials by how much light gets through, then circle what makes a shadow.
Science worksheet · Light and shadows
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.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Topic
- Light and shadows
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Light and shadows, Reflection, Light sources
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Set it up: on a sunny morning, stand a stick or a toy on the sidewalk and mark where it sits. Every two hours, trace its shadow with chalk and measure it.
- Shadow length (cm)
- Which way does it point?
- Draw the object and its shadow at noon.
- Draw the object and its shadow at 3:00.
- When was the shadow longest? Why do you think it changed?
Teacher tip
Mark where the object stands with tape so it doesn’t move between measurements.
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.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Never look straight at the sun, even with sunglasses.
Talk about it
- What happens when light hits a mirror?
- What question do you still have?
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
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.
Grades 1–2
Where Does Light Come From?
Sort eight light sources into natural light and light made by people, then answer a question about the dark.
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