Observing How Shadows Change As the Earth Rotates Primary grade students can also be involved with the project by observing how a shadow's length changes throughout the day. From following the shadows throughout the day students notice how a shadow length decreases toward mid-day and then increases in length after mid-day, into the afternoon hours. Students also notice how the direction the shadow points toward is always opposite from the sun. First thing to do is have the students organized into teams where one member stands and has their shadow traced on the ground. A good idea is to trace the feet so that the student will stand in the same place for making the next observation. After an hour return outside and have the shadow student stand in their foot outline. Have students trace this shadow on the ground. Repeat this procedure throughout the day, hourly, so that students can observe a more or less complete pattern of shadows. In particular have students notice the shorter length at mid-day. The mid-day shadow could be photographed and sent to the project. |Home|