Making Shade

Black and white photo of sunlight passing through tall pine trees casting shadows onto the ground.
Lesson Phenomena: The sun and trees create shade

Students will begin this lesson by observing the phenomenon of sun and trees creating shade. They will observe the amount of light they see and where. They will experiment with different types of paper to determine which blocks the most sunlight.

Learning Goals:

  1. Students will analyze the effect different types and colors of paper have when placed in the path of sunlight.
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies per pair of students

  • Tissue paper – one light, one medium, one dark color
  • Construction paper – one light, one medium, one dark color
  • Printer paper – one light, one medium, one dark color

Important Links

Lesson 2 of 7 / Time: 30 Mins

Students will be asked, “On a hot day, which materials might keep the ground the coolest?” Students will be given tissue paper, photocopy paper, and construction paper. Students will go outside in the sun and explore which type of paper will allow the least light through. Students will graph the results on a worksheet.

Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

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