Shadow Letters

On a sunny day, children make letters with their bodies while watching their shadows on the ground, alone and in pairs, and a partner traces the outline of the shadow letter in chalk. They practice body awareness, letter shapes and outdoor play.

How to play

1. On the sunny playground, each child finds their shadow and plays with it: arms up, legs apart, turning (2 min).
2. Show the I and T cards; make them while watching the letter appear in the shadow (2 min).
3. Try Y, X and L (one arm out to the side): which looks best as a shadow? (2 min).
4. In pairs, one makes a letter and the other traces the shadow in chalk; then switch (4 min).
5. Walk through the chalk "letter museum" and name each letter (2 min).

Rules

• I look at my shadow, never at the sun.
• I hold very still while my partner traces.
• I draw only on the ground, not on friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: make letters with arms from the wheelchair; the chair's shadow counts too.
• Visual impairment: the partner places their arms, then they walk along the traced letter.
• Autism: let them be the tracer only if holding still is hard.

Learning goals

• Make letters with the body by watching its shadow.
• Become aware of arm and leg positions.
• Play with a natural phenomenon outdoors.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sidewalk chalk: 10
• Letter cards: 8

Teacher tip

It works best mid-morning, when the sun is lower and shadows are long; have everyone stand with their backs to the sun. Remind them never to look straight at it.

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