Chasing Shadows Slides Chasing
Shadows
Let's explore the magic of light and the secrets of the dark!
Where does light come from?
The Sun
Lamps
Flashlights
"Light helps us see the world around us!"
Making Shadows
When something blocks the light...
1 Light travels in a straight line.
2 Your hand stops the light.
3 A dark shadow appears!
Flashlight Story Time
Why do we use light when it's dark?
Shadow Friends Activity Shadow Friends
Pre-K • Activity Templates
Name: ______________________
Date: ________________
How to make your shadow puppets:
1
Color and cut out the shapes.
2
Tape a popsicle stick to the back.
3
Use a flashlight to make shadows!
Cut Here
Twinkling Star
Cut Here
Warm Heart
Cut Here
Night Moon
Cut Here
Soaring Bird
Ask an adult for help with scissors! Flashlights work best in a cozy, dark corner.
Light Play Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Light Play & Shadow Science
Lesson
1 of 5
Ages
3-5
Materials Needed
Flashlights (1 per small group)
Shadow Friends Templates
Popsicle sticks & tape
Cardstock for printing
A dark area or white sheet
The Hook (5-10 min)
Gather students in a circle. Turn off the main lights. Turn on one powerful flashlight and shine it towards the ceiling. Ask: "What happens to the room when the light goes off? What does this flashlight do?" Read a short story (like "The Game of Shadows" by Hervé Tullet) using only the flashlight.
Step-by-Step
01
Explore Light: Let students shine flashlights on different surfaces. Does the light shine through a hand? A book? A piece of paper?
02
Identify Shadows: Place objects in front of the light. Help students identify the shape of the shadow. Move the object closer and further to see size changes.
03
Puppet Play: Hand out "Shadow Friends". Guide them to tape sticks and create their own shadow theater stories.
Key Questions
"Why can't we see through the shadow?"
"How does the shadow change when we move the light?"
"When do we use lights at home? (Bedtime, power outages, birthdays)"
Essential Insight: Light brings comfort and helps us see clear paths in the dark.
Glowing Diyas Slides Glowing
Diyas
The Festival of Lights and the "Row of Lamps"
What is a Diya?
Clay + Oil + Wick
01
Small clay bowls filled with oil.
02
They make a warm, golden glow.
03
People put them in long rows!
Why light them?
"A long time ago, people lit lamps to show a brave prince and princess the way home."
Light over Dark!
Let's build a Diya!
Pinch Clay
Add Gems
Bright Colors
What colors will your light have?
My Diya Design Activity My Diya Design
Plan Your Clay Lamp!
Name: ______________________
Design Space
Draw Patterns Here
"I will use ___________ and ___________ colors."
Decorations
Circle what you want to add to your clay:
Gems
Glitter
Paint
Flowers
My Diya Story
"My lamp is for..."
Diwali • The Festival of Lights
Diya Workshop Teacher Guide Diya Workshop
Cultural Context & Crafting Guide
Lesson 2 of 5
The History of Diwali
Diwali (from the Sanskrit Deepavali, meaning "row of lamps") is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance."
The Legend of Rama:
Ancient history tells of Prince Rama returning to the city of Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. To welcome him back and light his path on a moonless night, the people lit thousands of clay lamps (diyas) throughout the city.
Discussion Prompts
"How would you feel if you saw a long line of lights guiding you home in the dark?"
"Why do people clean their homes and decorate with lights during Diwali?"
"What can we do to be a 'light' for others in our classroom?"
Sculpting the Diya
1
Pinch Pot Base
Roll clay into a ball the size of an orange. Use the thumb to press a hole in the center and pinch the sides to make a bowl.
2
The "Spout"
Pinch one part of the rim slightly to create a small "v" shape where the wick would go.
3
Decorate & Dry
Press in gems or use a pencil to carve patterns. Let air-dry for 24-48 hours before painting.
Safety & Sensitivity
While traditional diyas use fire, in Pre-K, always use battery-operated tea lights. Remind students that these lights are special and should be handled with care, just like the traditions they represent.
Counting Candles Slides Counting
Candles
Adding light to our memories, one by one.
The Menorah
Eight Nights
A long time ago, a tiny bit of oil lasted for eight whole nights!
"We light one more candle every night to remember the miracle."
The Kinara
7 Days of Values
Seven Candles
Red, Green, and one Black candle in the middle. We light them to celebrate family and community.
"Each color has a special meaning!"
Can you help light the way?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
We count the candles as we light them.
One to Eight Counting Mat One to Eight
Light the candles by counting!
Name: ______________________
Matching Game
Draw a Flame on each candle to match the number!
1
One
2
Two
3
Three
4
Four
5
Five
6
Six
7
Seven
8
Eight
Candle Traditions Teacher Guide Candle Traditions
History, Counting, & Values
Teacher Resource
Hanukkah (Jewish)
Hanukkah remembers a miracle from over 2,000 years ago. A small amount of oil meant for one day burned for eight days.
Teaching Points:
The Menorah has 9 candle holders (8 + 1 helper candle called the Shamash).
We light candles from right to left, just like reading Hebrew!
It's a time for joy, games (dreidel), and family.
Kwanzaa (African-American)
Created in 1966, Kwanzaa is a holiday that honors African heritage and culture. It is celebrated from Dec 26 to Jan 1.
Teaching Points:
The Kinara holds 7 candles: 3 red, 1 black, 3 green.
Each candle represents a value (Unity, Purpose, Creativity, etc.).
The colors represent the people (black), the struggle (red), and the future (green).
Classroom Connection
Adding On
Practice "one more" by adding a candle each day to a classroom felt board.
Sequencing
Use non-lit candles to practice ordering objects by height or color patterns.
Storytelling
Invite families to share how they use candles to remember special events.
Magic Lanterns Slides Magic
Lanterns
Floating Lights & Happy Parades
Where do they come from?
Red Paper Lanterns
Celebrated during the first Full Moon of the New Year.
Families gather to walk with lanterns in parades.
They bring good luck and happiness!
Lantern Patterns
Patterns
Repeating colors and shapes make lanterns beautiful!
Symbols
Flowers, stars, and animals tell special stories.
Time to Design!
"My lantern will be..."
Lantern Pattern Activity Lantern Pattern
Decorate your lantern strip!
Name: ______________________
1
Draw a repeating PATTERN on the strip below.
2
We will roll it and glue it to make a TUBE!
Pattern Drawing Area
Pattern Ideas
Color-Color
Shape-Shape
Big-Small
Lantern Parade Teacher Guide Lantern Parade
History, Design, & Community
Lesson 4 of 5
The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie) marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Dating back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty, it celebrates the first full moon of the lunar year.
Symbolism:
Lanterns symbolize letting go of the past year and welcoming the new one with good fortune. Red is the most common color as it represents energy, happiness, and luck.
Discussion Prompts
"Why do people walk together in a parade with their lights?"
"If you were making a lantern to bring good luck, what would you draw on it?"
"How does it feel to see the sky full of floating lights?"
Assembly Guide
1
Decorate the Strip
Use the "Lantern Pattern Activity" sheet. Encourage students to create an AB or ABC pattern using colors or stickers.
2
Roll & Secure
Roll the cardstock into a cylinder. Staple or glue the edges. Adult assistance recommended for stapling.
3
Add the Light
Place a battery-operated tea light inside or tape a glow stick to the center. Attach a pipe cleaner handle to the top.
The Parade (10 min)
Dim the classroom lights. Have students line up and walk slowly around the room or hallway, holding their lanterns. Play traditional instrumental music to enhance the atmosphere of a communal celebration.
Festival Recap Slides Festival
of Lights
Celebrating our shared glow and beautiful traditions.
Look how much we know!
Shadows
Light makes shapes in the dark!
Diyas
Row of lamps for a prince!
Counting
Candles for memories!
Lanterns
Lucky patterns for everyone!
Why do we use light?
Kindness
Hope
Together
Shine Bright!
It is time to show our work and celebrate together.
Holiday Light Reflection Activity My Favorite Light
Thinking about what we learned!
Name: ______________________
Drawing Box
Draw your favorite holiday light here
Teacher/Parent Notes:
Ask the student: "Why did you choose this light? How does it make you feel?"
Festival Finale Teacher Guide Festival Finale
Classroom Celebration & Reflection Guide
Final Lesson
Creating the Space
1
The Gallery Walk: Set up tables around the room for students to display their Clay Diyas and Pattern Lanterns.
2
Atmosphere: Dim the main lights. Use only battery-operated candles, lanterns, and perhaps some string lights or a "fireplace" video on the screen.
3
Music: Play a playlist of global festive music (Indian Sitar, Klezmer, Traditional Chinese flute, etc.).
The Glow-Up
Provide each student with a glow stick bracelet as they enter the "Festival" area. Tell them, "Today, we are all part of the light that makes our classroom a warm and happy place."
Reflective Circle
Gather on the rug in a circle with a single lantern in the center.
Prompt 1: What did you see?
"What was your favorite thing to make? Was it the clay bowl or the paper lantern?"
Prompt 2: How do we celebrate?
"Why do people all over the world use lights when it's dark outside?"
Prompt 3: Sharing the Light
"How can we be a light to our friends? (Helpful hands, kind words, sharing)."
Assessment Tip
As students work on their "Favorite Light" reflection sheets, circulate and transcribe their verbal explanations. Look for mentions of specific traditions (Diwali, Hanukkah, etc.) or the general concept of "light bringing happiness."
