KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

LESSON PLAN FORMAT

Teacher Candidate: Krista Rizzo

Cooperating Teacher:
Group Size:

15

Date: 10/16/2015
Coop. Initials

Allotted Time 40-45 min

Subject or Topic: Shadows

Grade Level 3rd

Section

STANDARD: 3.2.3.B5: Recognize that light travels in a straight line until it strikes
an object or travels from one material to another.
I. Performance Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
3rd grade students will recognize properties of shadows by completing a shadow detective
activity.
II. Instructional Materials
Shadows by Ron and Nancy Goor
Projector
Pencil
5 Flashlights
Various Objects found around classroom
Other Objects brought in and planted in classroom
-Mason Jar
-Compact mirror
-Pumpkin

III. Subject Matter/Content (prerequisite skills, key vocabulary, big idea, outline of
additional content)
A. Prerequisite skills
1. Measurement
2. Observation skills
3. Fine motor skills
B. Key Vocabulary
Shadow- is a reflection of something produced by light hitting the object or
someone who follows another person around.

Opaque- meaning no light can pass through it

Surface- what the shadow is appearing on.
Light-the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
C. Big Idea
1. What makes a shadow?
a. Light, Object, and Surface
D. Content
1. Discovery Investigation
2. Recording Data
3. Making Observations
IV. Implementation
A. Introduction
1. To introduce this lesson, the teacher will prompt students to
recall the previous lesson about light sources and how it
travels.
2. The teacher will tell students that they are going to guess what
they will be learning about today by listening to a song.
B. Development
1. The teacher will then read Shadows by Ron and Nancy Goor
stop at page 14, asking the following questions that will be on
sticky notes:
a. Look around room and look for shadows
b. Have you ever seen a scary shadow?
c. Clarify that shadows change position by changing the
light source.
2. Students and teacher will complete diagram all together on
document camera. (See Attached)
3. Teacher will announce that students will become detectives
today to try to discover things that cast a shadow or if they do
not cast a shadow.
4. Students will complete Shadow Detective activity within
groups they already sit with. (See Attached)
5. Teacher will make sure to read through instructions clearly.
a. Look around the room for three objects- teacher will
plant some objects in room as well.
b. Draw that object in the square
c. Hypothesize if it will cast a shadow or not.
d. Test theory by taking flashlight and putting it above and
to the side of the object.
e. Draw a picture of the shadow or no shadow
f. Write why you think there was a shadow- They should
answer because the light hit an opaque object
g. (All of this is on the attachment)
6. While students are completing activity, teacher will walk
around and informally assess observation skills.

7. Students will present their findings to the class orally.

8. Teacher will collect packet and grade for assessment. Teacher
will be looking for completion and correct conclusions.
C. Closure
1. Class will learn how to make shadow puppets based on
diagrams. This can be done with flashlights or projector.
2. Teacher will go over main idea and key terms
3. Discuss learning about reflection/refraction tomorrow.

D. Accommodations/Differentiation
1. Oliver, a 3rd grader with ADHD will be accommodated by
being paired with a friend to do the assignment. He will also be
outside and being active.
2. Detailed instruction will be given to all students.
E. Assessment/Evaluation Plan
1. Formative
a. The teacher will float and observe to keep students on
task and ask questions about what students are doing.
b. The teacher will collect detective packets and check for
correct conclusions.
2. Summative
n/a

V. Reflective Response
A. Report of Student Performance in Terms of Stated Objectives (Reflection on
student performance written after lesson is taught, includes remediation for
students who fail to meet acceptable level of achievement)
Remediation Plan
B. Personal Reflection (Questions written before lesson is taught. Reflective
answers to question recorded after lesson is taught)
VI. Resources (in APA format)
Shadow Detective Worksheet
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/ShadowDetectives.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ne6J0aXvfs

Book
Shadows by Ron and Nancy Groor