Group Shadow in the Sun: Make a Shape and Trace It in Chalk

On a sunny day, groups combine their bodies so their shadow on the ground forms a shape: an animal, a monster, a boat. Another group traces it in chalk, and the schoolyard fills with silhouettes to guess.

How to play

1. Each person plays with their own shadow: make it grow, shrink, have three arms, or vanish into a classmate's shadow (4 min).
2. In pairs, create a creature with a single shadow: four arms, two heads, a tail (5 min).
3. Groups of 5 draw a card (dragon, bicycle, tree with a bird, sailboat) and experiment until the shadow is recognizable. Another group traces it in chalk while they hold still (8 min).
4. Gallery walk: each group tries to guess the others' silhouettes, then steps back into its own to check the fit (5 min).
5. Redo your group's shape facing a different direction from the sun: the shadow changes shape (3 min).

Rules

• Nobody looks directly at the sun.
• Shapes use stable bases: nobody is lifted or stands on anyone.
• Whoever traces in chalk says so before getting close to feet.
• Hold each pose 30 seconds max; if it's hard, trace it in parts.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the wheelchair becomes part of the shape, with its shadow used as body, wheels, or base.
• Visual impairment: they feel the chalk outline with a hand or foot and get a description of the shape.
• Students sensitive to sun: shaded area for drawing and a cap; they can be the one who traces.

Learning goals

• Build a group shape with bodies.
• Control posture so the shadow is recognizable.
• Cooperate by sharing model and artist roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sidewalk chalk: 15
• shape cards: 6

Teacher tip

Works best early or late in the day, when shadows are long; at midday they're very short. If it's cloudy, do it in the gym with a spotlight or a projector against the wall.

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