This sun cut outs activity helps PreK-1st grade children sort picture cards into things that make light and things that do not, then color and cut out paper suns. An answer key is included.
Flashlights, shadows and sunshine!
Preschoolers learn that light helps us see, and that it comes from places like the sun, lamps, flashlights and even fireflies. They discover that when something blocks light, it makes a shadow. They notice that some things let light through, like a window, and some do not, like a book. The magic moment is when a child moves a toy closer to the flashlight and squeals, "My shadow got bigger!"
Light is the perfect hands-on science topic. Turn off the lights and these moves practically teach themselves.
Make a giant sun and other light sources with cut outs, then hold up everyday objects and ask, "Does this make light?" Kids sort them into two piles: makes light and does not. Watch the debate when you hold up a mirror!
Why it works: kids understand an idea best when they touch it, then draw it, then write it, the order the U.S. Department of Education recommends for elementary math.
Try it withSun Cut OutsActivitiesOpen it →Hang a white sheet, dim the room and shine a flashlight behind it. Kids hold up toys or make hand shapes and the class guesses what the shadow is. Then try moving the toy closer and farther to see the shadow grow and shrink.
Why it works: in a well-known study, a few short sessions of a simple number board game measurably boosted young children's number skills (Ramani and Siegler, 2008).
Show pictures of daytime and nighttime scenes and have kids sort them. Ask what gives us light in each picture. This builds the words light, dark, bright and shadow before you ever read a book about it.
Why it works: children learn more from words and pictures together than from words alone (Mayer, 2009).
Tell them light is what helps our eyes see. Turn off the lights and ask what they can see, then turn on a flashlight. Name the things that give us light: the sun, lamps, candles and flashlights.
Shadow play with a flashlight is the easiest and most fun. Kids hold a toy between the light and a wall and watch the shadow change size as they move it closer or farther away.
A shadow happens when something blocks the light. Preschoolers can test this by standing in the sun and seeing their shadow on the ground, then stepping into the shade where it disappears.
Light, dark, bright, shadow, sun, flashlight and see-through are great starting words. Add block and shine as kids start explaining what they notice.
Loved by 2 million teachers & families
Printables, songs and games for every subject, Preschool through 6th. Ready to teach today, and kids beg for more.
