What is a shadow?

Last Monday during our staff development day, the teachers at BMS learned how to implement light and shadow into the curriculum by exploring light and shadow ourselves. Today, decided to start morning meeting with a the question, "What is a shadow?" Ryan Casey said a shadow is "something that's you but it looks different. It's when it reflects you in the sun." Evan mentioned that when he walks, the shadow moves with him and Isabel said she sees shadows all the time "except when I'm  in bed."

After this conversation, Ms. Rebecca read Shadow by Suzy Lee and the children commented on the pictures in the book (since this book does not have words). When we finished the story, we talked with the children about flashlight safety and thought of some rules while using the flashlight.

Then we turned off all the lights, placed some provocations out on the table and explored light by using our flashlights, mirrors, jewels, prisms and a white sheet. During part of our light exploration, we put on a performance of the Three Billy Boats Gruff using the white sheet and the shadows from our hands.

At one point, Jake noticed Rebecca's shadow on the ground and Eli and Sam stepped on it. Alex and Evan quickly joined in and tried to step on Rebecca's shadow as she moved. Rebecca said "Ouch!" whenever someone stepped on her shadow and Erica asked if it would hurt to have someone step on your shadow. Isabel replied, "No, because shadows aren't a part of your body."

During our reflective meeting, the Daisies class talked again about about what a shadow is and how a shadow is created. I was surprised to hear that the children still thought that shadows could only be created by the sun. This led us into a short discussion about "grabbing" the sun and touching it. During lunch we read, Subway Story per Evan's request and the Sunflowers talked about highs and lows from this weekend, which lead into a discussion about our siblings.