Guess the Shadow Part

With a sheet hung up and a lamp behind it, kids cast shadows of body parts and the rest guess which part it is: a hand, a foot, an ear, an elbow. Then everyone plays with their own shadow on the wall. Kids work on body awareness, visual perception and expression.

How to play

1. Beforehand, hang the sheet between two chairs or wall bars and set the lamp about six feet behind it. Lower the blinds. Kids sit in front.
2. The teacher goes behind and shows her hand's shadow: "Which part is this?" Then a foot, her head from the side, an elbow (2 min).
3. In quick turns, groups of three go behind. The teacher whispers which part to show; the rest guess and move it on their own body (8 min).
4. Take the sheet down and shine the lamp on the wall: everyone plays with their shadow, making it big near the lamp and small far away (3 min).
5. Finish: each child makes a shape using one part, like a long arm, and freezes (2 min).

Rules

• Nobody touches the lamp: it's hot and only the teacher moves it.
• No more than three kids behind the sheet at once.
• Watchers stay seated and say answers without shouting.
• Walk slowly in the dim light.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child rolls behind in the wheelchair and shows hands, arms or head.
• Low vision: sit close to the sheet while a buddy describes the shadow, plus touch on their own body.
• Different skill levels: some show the part the teacher suggests; skilled kids invent animal shadows with it.

Learning goals

• Recognize body parts by their shape.
• Connect their own body with its shadow.
• Make shapes with different body parts.

Equipment for a class of 25

• white sheet: 1
• lamp or spotlight: 1

Teacher tip

Some little ones fear the dark: leave some light on and warn before lowering the blinds. Use an LED lamp that stays cool if you can.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary