Thinking sheet · Art and artists

Which Way Is the Light?

Draw a ball three times with the light coming from the left, the right and the top. Where do the shadows go?

Grades
2–5
Time
about 20 minutes
Kids practice
light and shadow, shading, cause and effect

What kids do

“The arrow shows where the light comes from. Shade the side the light can’t reach.”

  1. Light from the left →
  2. ← Light from the right
  3. Light from the top ↓
  4. In each one I drew…
  5. The shadow always goes… because…

How to run it

  • Use a flashlight and a ball so kids can see it for real.
  • The bright spot faces the light; the shadow falls away from it.
  • Older kids can try a cube too.

Talk about it

  • What happens to a shadow when the light moves?
  • Where is the light in this room?
  • How do shadows make drawings look real?

Take it further

Draw your own character with light from one side.

Pairs well with

Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.

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