Shadows
Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in shadow length and direction, day and night cycles, and seasonal star patterns
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“A shadow forms where an object blocks light. It points away from the source. A low source often makes a longer shadow than a high one. Earth’s rotation changes the Sun’s apparent direction and height through the day. Solar noon need not be clock noon. Safety: Battery torch only; no mains lamp, laser, sunlight or darkened walking area. Stop: Stop indoors after three torch positions. No outdoor shadow monitoring or Sun viewing is part of this task.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Folded paper post 5 cm high
- Battery torch
- Adult-held post base
Extra for the adult
Worked example. I plot 12:00 at 7 cm, shorter than 15 cm and 13 cm. The illustrative Sun is higher near this reading. The shortest shadow is not always at clock noon.
Optional challenge. Explain why three readings cannot locate the exact shortest-shadow time.
What to notice. Keep tables, graph and the actual result note: Daily shadow measurement: NOT_ASSESSED. Note setup help, unclear edges and whether indoor model lengths were measured. Fictional graph data do not supply daily measurements.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
NASA Space Place · Practice link — not the full lesson
Sun
Before you open · source notes
Sun supports Shadows. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public NASA Space Place page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
NASA Space Place. “Sun.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Measure and record shadow length and direction at different times of day
- Create a graph showing how shadow length changes throughout the day
- Connect shadow patterns to the sun's apparent position and Earth's rotation
“Can your child measure their shadow at different times of day, plot it on a chart, and explain why it's longest in the morning and evening but shortest at midday?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Space Systems & Earth's History
- Age range
- Ages 10–11
Standards