Shadow at Noon Investigation
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Shadow at Noon Investigation" is written for 2nd Grade to 4th Grade (Ages 7-10). It also works a grade below or above: younger children can use it with an adult reading it aloud, and older ones as a quick refresher.
Shadow at noon investigation for 2nd to 4th grade: measure a stick's shadow on 3 December days, record it in a table and compare it with June. Part of our Winter Solstice holiday activities collection.
More Winter Solstice activitiesWinter Solstice 2026: dates and teaching guide
How do I use this resource?
Pick a flat sunny spot and measure at noon on 3 days, using the same stick each time. Discuss the questions together after the third day.
What students will practice
- Explains to 2nd to 4th grade students why the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and how sunlight changes.
- Helps students plan, organize what they find out and write about it in their own words.
- Made for 2nd to 4th grade, and prints on US Letter paper for a lesson, a center or home.
Curriculum Links
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FAQ
How do I use the Shadow at Noon Investigation?
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Pick a flat sunny spot and measure at noon on 3 days, using the same stick each time. Discuss the questions together after the third day.
What is the Shadow at Noon Investigation?
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One page titled Shadow at Noon Investigation. It explains how to measure a 12-inch stick's shadow at noon and gives a table for 3 December dates, the weather and the shadow length in inches. A June data box gives the New York City shadow lengths, and 2 questions ask children to compare and explain.
Can I use the Shadow at Noon Investigation at home and in the classroom?
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Yes. We made it for 2nd Grade to 4th Grade holiday activities, and it works the same at home or at school. Families print it for one child and keep it where they will use it every day. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.
How many 2nd Grade to 4th Grade Winter Solstice resources are there?
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2 printable resources, all free to preview. There are 30 Winter Solstice resources in all, from Preschool to 5th Grade, gathered on our Winter Solstice activities page. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.
What age are Winter Solstice resources for?
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These are written for 2nd Grade to 4th Grade students, roughly ages 7-10. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.
Can I use these Winter Solstice resources for homeschool?
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Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a 2nd Grade to 4th Grade classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.
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Resource Details
| Grade | 2nd Grade to 4th Grade |
| Subject | Resources |
| Topic | Holiday Activities |
| Pages | 1 page |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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