Science.K.8.B
The student is expected to
demonstrate and explain that light travels through some objects and is blocked by other objects, creating shadows.
Knowledge and Skills Statement
Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy is everywhere and can be observed in everyday life.
Demonstrated Proficiency
The following is an example of how to assess proficiency of this student expectation (SE) or a portion of the SE.
Provide the students with a selection of objects and light sources. Some objects provided might include construction paper or folders, cling wrap, and tissue paper. Using the objects provided, students should be able to demonstrate that objects that are transparent, translucent, and opaque allow different amounts of light to travel through them.
Students should be able to explain that an object such as a folder blocks all of the light and creates a shadow. They should also explain that an object such as tissue paper lets less light through than an object like a piece of cling wrap, but still lets some light through. While kindergarten students should be able to describe how the light and shadows are different with different objects, they are not expected to use the terms transparent, translucent, or opaque.
Further Explanation
Examples of transparent objects include windows and clear plastic water bottles. Translucent objects include wax paper and frosted glass. Opaque objects include cell phones and tree trunks.
Supporting Information
Research
Iowa Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education. 2023. “Shadows.” https://regentsctr.uni.edu/sites/default/files/Shadows-Activity_Sheet%20%281%29.pdf
Summary: In this article, the author explains that children are naturally curious about shadows as they are phenomena that children experience daily. To understand how shadows are formed, students must understand the light source and physical objects. The article gives examples of how shadows can be incorporated into cross-curricular lessons and activities.