🕰️ Lesson 6: Shadows tell the time

Grades 3–5 · about 15 minutes · NGSS 5-ESS1-2. By the end: I can describe how shadows change length and direction during the day, and why.

Learn

1. As Earth spins, the Sun seems to cross the sky from east to west, and every shadow swings the other way. 🔊 Hear it
2. In the morning the Sun is low in the east, so shadows are long and point west. Around midday the Sun is highest, in the south, and shadows are shortest, pointing north. 🔊 Hear it
3. In the afternoon, shadows grow long again and point east. People told the time this way for thousands of years, with sundials. 🔊 Hear it

Try it

Make a shadow clock: stand a pencil in play dough on a sunny windowsill or sidewalk, and mark the end of its shadow every hour.

Quiz: five questions

Four right is a pass. Peabody reads every question; tap a box.

Tonight's task

Tonight, find the Moon if it's up and notice your Moon shadow, or use a flashlight to make one. Tomorrow, measure your own shadow at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Space Month: make a shadow clock
• Next: lesson 7
• All ten lessons