Where Did My Chalk Shadow Go?
In pairs, one child stands still while the other traces their shadow in chalk; they play in the shadow gallery, and hours later they come back, stand on their footprints and find the shadow no longer fits. It works on sense of time and holding a posture.
How to play
- Early in the day, in pairs: one stands with their back to the sun and the partner outlines their feet in chalk (2 min).
- Still as a statue while the partner traces the edge of their shadow in chalk; then switch (4 min).
- Shadow gallery: walk, hop and crawl between the drawings without stepping on them; at the clap, everyone returns to their own shadow (3 min).
- Before going inside, ask: will the shadow be the same when we come back? (1 min).
- Later (before recess or at noon) come back and stand on your footprints in the same pose: the shadow has moved and it’s shorter! (4 min).
- Talk it over in a circle: the sun has climbed higher and changed places (1 min).
Rules
- While I’m being traced, I’m a statue.
- Don’t step on other people’s chalk shadows.
- Chalk is only for the ground.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher traces the shadows and children are the statues and the gallery walkers.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, partners trace each other with teacher help on the feet.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, choose a tricky pose (one arm up, one knee bent) and repeat it exactly when you come back.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: trace the shadow of the wheelchair with the child in it; they trace their partner’s with long chalk or chalk taped to a stick.
- Visual impairment: trace with thick chalk and follow the outline with hands or bare feet.
- Autism: preview with two photos of the same shadow, one in the morning and one at noon.
Learning goals
- Hold a still posture for a while.
- Move without stepping on the drawings.
- Discover that shadows change during the day.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Sidewalk chalk: 13
Teacher tip
You need a clear day and an area that won’t get trampled at recess. Note the time you trace and come back at least two hours later; the longer you wait, the bigger the surprise.
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