Shadows and Reflections: In this unit, children explore shadows and reflections using observations, experiments, and books to learn about what makes a shadow and a reflection. During story time, children will hear about a girl playing by a still pond, a puppy who thinks he is a kitten, a crocodile collecting reflections in a pail, a sleepy boy who sees a shadow save a cat, and a raccoon who has an adventure with only his reflection as company. Children will continue to learn about letters, letter sounds, and counting concrete objects.
Theme Concepts for this Unit
- Reflections are images thrown back from a shiny surface
- There must be light, or there can be no reflection
- Mirrors and still water reflect light well; dull surfaces do not
- If water is moving, its reflections are blurry and crooked
- Objects are opaque, translucent or transparent
- Shadows are dark areas made when an object blocks light
- The sizes of shadows vary, depending on how close an object is to the light source.
Books for the week:
Dreams: Ezra Jack Keats
What Makes a Shadow? by Clyde Robert Bulla
Night Shift Daddy - Eileen Spinelli
Small Groups:
- Collecting and Painting Pet Rocks
- Decorating Animals for Shadow puppets
- Whose Shadows - matching shadows and pictures
Choice time
Art Table: Painting Umbrellas
Easel: Open Painting
Adding to our pond
Library Area: Stories about animals
Rug - School House
Flashlights and Mirrors
Dramatic Play - Farmers Market
