Silhouettes

Art Literacy Science
Time 45 minutes
Age 5 & up
Group Size 4 or more
Tags Drawing, Light, Shadow

Draw a picture of your shadow!

At the beginning of the year, it’s always good to get an idea of where your students’ heads are. Having kids draw their silhouettes and then fill them in with their thoughts and ideas will not only give you insight into your students, but also will give them a chance to reflect on themselves and their own lives. Not only are children undergoing physical changes as they grow, but they are changing inside as well—repeating this activity at the end of the year, or even later, will give your students a chance to reflect on where they’ve been, where they are and where they’re going.

Preparation

Make sure all of your light sources work. If you are using a large roll of paper, cut enough pieces (3 feet long or so) for every child.

If you are working with young children (5-7), adults should do the tracing of the silhouettes.

Silhouettes
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Suggested Materials

  • Chart paper or other large sheets of paper (1 piece per student)
  • Flashlights, “clamp lamps” and light bulbs or other bright light sources (1 per team if using flashlights; if using lamps, one clamp lamp per 2 teams)
  • Crayons or markers
  • Masking tape
1

Make it Matter

Opening Discussion

Ask your students if they have ever made shadows before. What do you need to make shadows? Do you know what a silhouette is?

The Challenge

Take turns drawing each other’s silhouettes and fill yours in with your thoughts and ideas!

2

Make it Happen

Doing the Activity

  1. Children should work in teams of 2 or 3. Each child will take turns being the silhouette drawer or the “model”. If you are using flashlights, you’ll need to be in teams of 3, with the third child holding the flashlight. If working with young children (5-7), adults should do the tracing of the silhouettes.
  2. You’ll need to create a few “stations” along the wall where children can tape up their piece of paper.  The first model should sit in a chair with their side facing the wall, and the drawer should tape the paper up on the wall. Leave a few feet between each team.
  3. If you are using “clamp lamps”, you can clamp them to a chair or table. Switch the clamp lamps or flashlights on.
  4. Turn off the room lights! You’ll notice that the clearest shadows are made with the lamp or flashlight pointing up or down instead of directly at the “model”. Have kids experiment with light placement to see how they can make the clearest shadows.
  5. Using a crayon or marker, the drawer should trace the outline of the model’s shadow on the paper.
3

Make it Click

Let’s Talk About It

After the first models’ silhouettes are done, bring your students together to share their observations. Does anyone have any tips for how to be a good drawer? Do any models have suggestions for other kids who are about to have their silhouettes drawn? This discussion should last no more than a few minutes.

4

Make it Better

Build On What They Talked About

Have the rest of the kids make their silhouettes. After each child has a silhouette drawn, ask them to fill these drawings in with pictures, words, colors—anything that represents whatever it is that is on their minds. Once everyone is done, post the silhouettes up like an art show for everyone to look at and appreciate.

Suggestions

  • Playing soft music in the background can help set a relaxed mood for this activity.
  • Try this activity again at the end of the year. Have any of the kids’ bodies changed? Have any of the thoughts or ideas in their heads changed?
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