Divide the class into groups of three - one student to pose, one to hold the poser's jaw, and one to trace. Have the poser sit close to the wall and about two or three feet from the light source. Position the paper so that the person's entire head shows in shadow and tape the paper to the wall. It's easier to move the paper than the student. Have the tracer quickly outline the shadow in pencil.
Hair is especially important in making a silhouette look like the poser.
Be sure students do not cut off the necks of their silhouettes or they will look as if they have been guillotined and not be happy with the result. Be sure they draw that characteristic swoopy line at the bottom of their silhouette. After three students have posed, held, and drawn, they turn the light over to the next group while they carefully cut out their silhouettes, trace them onto the black paper, and cut the black silhouette out. Poems of wishes and dreams. Summary of important events in a week, month, year, book, historical event.