Time and Daily Events · Term 3

Temperature Scales: Celsius and Fahrenheit

Students compare and convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales.

About This Topic

Light and Shadow explores how lighting can create mood, atmosphere, and mystery in media arts. Foundation students experiment with torches, sunlight, and screens to see how light interacts with objects. In the Australian Curriculum, this topic connects to both science (light sources) and art (visual effects), helping students understand that what we *don't* see is often just as important as what we do.

Students learn about silhouettes, shadows, and how the position of a light source can change the shape and size of a shadow. They explore how 'bright' light can feel happy or safe, while 'dim' light or long shadows can feel spooky or mysterious. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where students can 'play' with light in a darkened room, discovering the 'magic' of shadow puppetry and dramatic lighting through collaborative experimentation.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Shadow Monsters

Using a white sheet and a strong torch, students work in small groups to create 'monsters' using their hands or everyday objects. They must figure out how to move the object closer to the light to make the shadow bigger.

⏱ 25 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Simulation Game: The Weather Reporter

Students use torches and colored filters (or cellophane) to create the 'lighting' for a weather report. They must choose 'bright/yellow' for a sunny day and 'dim/blue' for a stormy night, explaining their choices.

⏱ 20 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Silhouette Secrets

One student stands behind a screen to create a silhouette. Their partner has to guess what 'character' they are based only on the shape of their shadow, then they swap roles.

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Shadows are always black and scary.

What to Teach Instead

Students often associate shadows with 'the dark.' Use colored light or translucent objects (like colored plastic) to show that shadows can be colorful and beautiful, expanding their creative palette.

Common Misconception

To make a shadow bigger, you have to move the object further away.

What to Teach Instead

This is a common logic error. Hands-on 'torch play' allows students to see that moving the object *closer* to the light source actually makes the shadow larger, correcting the error through direct observation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching light and shadow?

Guided 'shadow play' is the most effective strategy. By providing torches and a variety of materials (opaque, translucent, transparent), students can discover the properties of light through trial and error. Setting up a 'shadow theater' encourages them to use these discoveries to tell stories, which reinforces the connection between technical lighting and emotional narrative in a fun, active way.

How do I safely use torches in the classroom?

Use LED torches (which don't get hot) and establish a 'no eyes' rule, torches are for shining on walls, screens, or objects, never at people's faces.

What is a silhouette?

A silhouette is the dark shape or outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background. In media arts, it's a great way to show a character's 'type' without showing their face.

How can I connect light and shadow to Indigenous culture?

Discuss how First Nations people used the sun's shadows (like a sundial) to tell time or how firelight was used during evening storytelling to create a dramatic atmosphere for dances and songs.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU