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North Carolina · North Carolina Science · Grade 3

ESS.3.1.2: Carry out investigations to recognize that changes in the length and…

Carry out investigations to recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object's shadow indicate the apparent changing position of the sun during the day.

The North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Science (2023) outcome ESS.3.1.2 (Earth’s Place in the Universe) for Grade 3 says: “Carry out investigations to recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object's shadow indicate the apparent changing position of the sun during the day.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Science (2023).

Light and Shadows Grades K–2

Why does my shadow follow me, and why is it so long in the morning? Young scientists chase their shadows, track the Sun across the day and test which things let light through.

  • Why is my shadow long in the morning? About 40 min in total, split across one sunny day: 15 min in the morning, two 4 min visits outside, and 15 min at the end of the day

    Pairs stand a bottle on a chalk X and trace its shadow three times in one sunny day, measuring each shadow with a piece of yarn. Back inside, a flashlight held low and then high shows them why shadows are long when the Sun is low in the sky and short when it is high.

Printable practice for ESS.3.1.2

These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to ESS.3.1.2 is partial.

Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.

Compared with NGSS: 5-ESS1-2 (partial).

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