Thinking sheet · Look and wonder

Whose Shadow Is This?

A mystery shadow. Use clues to guess who it belongs to, then draw what you think it really looks like.

Grades
K–3
Time
about 15 minutes
Kids practice
using clues, shapes and outlines, explaining your thinking

What kids do

“Someone left their shadow behind! Be a detective and figure out who it is.”

  1. The mystery shadow
  2. Draw who you think it is
  3. My clues (what gave it away?)
  4. I think it is a… because…

How to run it

  • Fold the answer line under before you hand out the sheets.
  • Ask kids to name the shapes in the shadow first: spikes, a long tail, a round back.
  • Reveal the answer, then let kids add color to their drawing.

Talk about it

  • Which part of the shadow was the biggest clue?
  • Could it be something else? What?
  • Why do shadows hide some details but not others?

Take it further

Kids draw a shadow of their own character for a partner to guess.

Pairs well with

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

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