Virginia SOL K.8.b

ScienceKindergartenEarth and Space Systems

The Standard

shadows can be produced when sunlight or artificial light is blocked by an object

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students make shadows using a light source and solid objects. They identify the light, the object in its path, and the dark shape behind it.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a flashlight and several objects, a student can create a shadow without help. The student can explain that the object stops light from reaching the surface behind it.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a shadow is part of the object or a dark mark on the ground. They may also think shadows appear without a light source or always look exactly like the object.
How to Assess It: Ask students to draw a flashlight, a block, and its shadow. Have them circle what stops the light and explain their drawing aloud.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a flashlight, toy figures, and white paper, then have them make and trace three different shadows.
Ask, “Why does your body make a shadow outside, and what must be present for the shadow to appear?”
Play Shadow or Not by showing picture cards and having students sort scenes based on whether an object stops the light.
Walk outside and match playground shadows to the objects making them, then check again when the Sun is in a different position.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.8.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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