Hi friends! I am beyond blessed to have a guest blog post on Marsha’s blog all about Lights and Shadows.
Head over there to read all about it by clicking here. And then head back here to talk about Light Table Fun, Shadow Dancing, and more! We talked a lot about things that make light and do not make light for the first few days of these lesson plans. I did a quick check of my little learners’ retention of information with this cut and sort.
Every single one of my kids nailed it because they all knew what makes light.
Predicting What Makes Shadows
We moved on to shadows next. We did a quick intro on shadows. First, we predicted what items would make a shadow. And I had to tie in groundhogs here too!
Then we had to TEST out items in the classroom to see if they make a shadow. When each student in the room got a card, they found something similar in the room to try out.
Then we came back to the chart to show what we saw!
We didn’t have a jewel to test out, so we decided to research that idea later to determine if it would or would not cast a shadow. After all, isn’t this what scientists do???
Visual Discrimination
We also matched our cards to their shadows.
And don’t limit your shadow-making to what the cards say. Test out different things like BUBBLES.
Your little wonderfuls will love it.
This is also a great time to bring in the Light Brights.
{Here is a link to some NEW updated Light Brights on Amazon!} These are awesome for OT skills.
They are also fun for additional practice using the pegs as counters AND just for fun! I like to pick up light brights at consignment sales. There are always a few for $2-$5.
Light Table for Cheap
But what about light tables? You can make them for super CHEAP!
I took the sensory table I already use and I added this battery-operated camping light.
I turn it on, put the light on the lid, then put the clear tub on top. BAM. Cheapo Sensory Table.
Here is the inside of the camping light.
Since we loved our letter construction pieces from Learning Resources,
I wanted to create a math light table activity.
And this is so easy you will almost cry.
First, use CLEAR address labels and neon plastic shot glasses.
I use Avery’s online templates to add addition facts to each label, then I printed them out.
Next, cut apart the sentences after the equal sign to separate the answer.
Then, I took each side of the equation and added BOTH pieces to SEPARATE shot glasses.
Check out my light table math station!
Best yet… these cups stack so well!
Also check out my room…
all blacked out.
Why?
SO WE CAN Play with Shadow Puppets
and SHADOW DANCE!
I know you are going to love all these activities and my Lights and Shadows pack…
with this freebie 20 Questions Game!
{And leaving positive feedback on freebies like this is the best way to say thanks.}
I loved this entire post! I am inspired now! And yes, thanks for the freebie!
Thank you for this great freebie. All of these activities are great! I got here from your guest post on Marsha's blog. I'm following by email and looking forward to more posts. (I'm also going over to follow you on TPT.)
Terri
So cute!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies
How neat!
Wow!! This is sooo neat!
I loved all the ideas! You are a great blogger
I LOVE the 20 questions activity. Cannot wait to use it with my kinders this week!