GUEST BLOGGER ERIN DEALEY
I think my fascination with shadows began in elementary school. When I was in 4th or 5th grade, we completed a biography/autobiography unit, and our extension activity was to write our own autobiography. To me, it felt weird writing about myself in first person.
What was my solution? I took a risk and wrote my biography in third person, as told by my shadow and I am eternally grateful to my teacher for accepting my work and not lowering my grade for “not following directions” and clearly stepping outside the box. I didn’t realize it then, but I have always been drawn to the road not taken.
What does this have to do with SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS?
There comes a time when every one of us has felt or will feel a bit different from the others. Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear react differently to their big feelings. Art brings us together –no matter how old we are– in a non-threatening way.
Granted, Social Emotional Learning is not traditionally included as part of STEM. However, problem-solving, teamwork, and self-awareness are SEL skills that can be connected to successful student outcomes in any of the STEM fields.
Also, having your students play with their shadows is a sneaky way of getting them to explore light, motion, shapes, and even cause-and-effect as the shadows change with the sun’s –or their subject’s –position.
Why not have some fun in the sun?
Note: I’m betting you’re familiar with the trace-your-body activity, but let me add that it’s not just for PreK-K students. As a former middle school/high school teacher, I can confirm my big kids loved this activity—especially if you step outside the box: Instead of having students trace each other’s bodies (especially in this important era of setting personal boundaries) let’s take it one step further and tell them they will be tracing their partner’s shadow.
Activity: Tracing shadows
Materials needed: A sunny day and bucket or two of sidewalk chalk – enough for several pieces for everyone. (On a cloudy day, you might still have enough sun to create those shadows, and more lessons to learn observing the softer edges, so don’t despair if it’s overcast.)
Location: a large expanse of sidewalk or blacktop or cemented area.
- Pair up your students. Have pairs spread out on the blacktop/cement area.
- Have students take turns striking different poses to create their shadows.
- Ask students – How can you show different emotions in your shadow poses?
- Have students choose the pose that fits their mood and have their partner trace the shadow with chalk. Be sure the record the time each shadow was traced.
- Switch places and repeat the previous step with the other partner striking a pose.
- Have each student fill in their own features and clothing.
- Have students use the chalk to draw objects around their shadow to represent who they are. Tell your students: This could be your favorite foods, objects that represent your favorite activities, even songs.
- Add a speech bubble. What would your shadow like to tell the world?
- Teachers à Take a photo of each of the shadows. Print them out.
Extension variations
Share the photos anonymously and have the class guess whose shadow it is.
Have students write about their shadows – or write it as if their shadows are speaking.
Ask questions about the length of the students’ shadows and the time of day. How does the shadow compare to the person casting the shadow?
Find the position of the Sun and determine how the shadow might change as the Sun’s position changes.
Featured image credit: Erin Dealey
Erin Dealey and her shadow have been thinking outside the box for many years.Dealeyis a blogger, playwright, poet, and author of 20 children’s books (so far). Dealey’s original career goal was Olympic Gold Medal tetherball player. When that didn’t pan out, she became a teacher, theater director, actor, mom, and author. She lives in northern California with her husband and welcomes any opportunity to visit schools around the world. You can find her online at erindealey.com and on her socials: X @ErinDealey Instagram @ErinDealey Facebook https://www.facebook.com/erin.dealey/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/erindealey/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/erindealey.bsky.social
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