Materials
bright light source (film projector or strong flashlight)
light colored background for the light to shine upon
white newsprint paper
black and colored construction paper
easel
scissors
glue
Instructions
* Groundhog Day is February 2nd.
1. The morning of Groundhog Day (February 2nd), find out whether the
groundhog saw his shadow.
2. Explain to the children that shadows are visible on sunny days, and occur
when something gets in the way of the sun or any major source of light.
3. Explain that shadows can be made indoors by putting something in
front of bright light.
4. Let the children experiment with going in front of the beam of light.
Encourage them to make any movements they please. Note that when
the children are not in the light, their shadows disappear.
5. Attach newsprint to an easel and position the easel in front of a light
source. Let the children take turns creating a silhouette by sitting
between the easel and the light source. Ask the child to sit as quietly and
still as possible as you trace his outline onto the newsprint.
6. Help the child cut out the shadow and trace it onto black construction
paper. Cut out the black silhouette and have the child glue it onto a
piece of colored construction paper.
More to do Explain the word "silhouette" and share examples of silhouettes with the
children, such as Abraham Lincoln on the penny or George Washington on
the quarter. Both presidents' birthdays are in February. Note how you can
tell who they are just by their silhouettes.
