Innovative Curriculum

Group: Rays of lightNicola Alcorn - Helena Jonasson - Eliana D’Ambrosio - Irene Efthymiou - Elisa van Hout

Erasmus Intensive Programme LIGHT 2010

Introduction

Topic: ShadowsShadows

Target groups Age 9-11: connection

between object and shadow

Age 12-14: describe formation of a shadow

Age 15-18: calculate the exact outline of a shadow

1st group: 9-11 year olds

Prerequisites Students should know

that light travels in straight lines

Aims To know there can be no

shadow without light To realise there is a

connection between the light source, object and (the shape of) its shadow

1st group: 9-11 year olds

Activities Observing the

shadows in and around the school

Children experiment with different objects and light sources

Group discussion Play with applet

Applet: http://sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/lightshadows.html

2nd group: 12-14 year olds

Aims To predict the shape

of a shadow To explain the

formation of the shadow

Activities Use of applet to experiment with shadows Learning about and making sundials Children try to predict the shape of a shadow Discussion of the different predictions Children check their predictions by

experimentation Discussion of results Prediction and experimentation with multiple

and coloured light sources

2nd group: 12-14 year olds

Applet: http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=42

3rd group: 15-18 year olds

Prerequisites Basic geometry: e.g.

congruent triangles Aims

To use geometry to explain shadows

To calculate light intensity at different points

3rd group: 15-18 year olds

Activities Calculate shadow outline

of 2D objects Experiment to check

calculations Determine object shape

from a shadow and light source

Experiment: Measuring light intensity in different areas

Shadow is a familiar topic, which will make the children more secure in exploring new materials

Hands on activities form the basis of life long learning

Letting children experiment can help them to overcome their misconceptions

Children learn to work in groups

Rationale

Rationale

Having discussions helps children to express their knowledge and ideas

ICT tools can be used to support the activities where necessary

The activities have elements from both essentialism and progressivism.

The activity on sundials also includes perennalism

Children’s knowledge of shadows progresses from understanding what a shadow is to the movement and formation of a shadow

In order to achieve this, we use: Observation Prediction Construction

Conclusions/Summary

Have a nice summer!Fijne zomer!

Καλό καλοκαίρι!Buona estate!

Ha en bra sommar!Grande verão!

Samhradh maith diobh!