A Trick of Light

It’s time to see your classroom in a completely new light. Using simple shadow puppetry elements, you can transform ordinary objects into a magical display of theater for your students.

First, grab a flashlight and dim the lights in your classroom. As a class, explore casting shadows on the wall by passing your hands in front of the light.

Prompt your students to experiment with size by bringing their hands closer to or farther away from the light and challenging them to see what shapes they can make together and individually.

Next, try passing different objects in front of the flashlight:

• What shadow does a pencil make? A sheet of paper?
• What about multiple objects together?

After this group exploration, have each student break off and find their own classroom objects with which they can make a shadow character.

Have your students create a voice and personality for their character, and then take turns presenting them and moving them about in front of the flashlight.

To deepen this exploration, use recorded music or soundscaping to create a more immersive atmosphere.

Finally, using your characters, put on your very own shadow puppetry parade for another class!

To support this unit, use the There’s Drama at Night Activity.