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Hi everyone,
My name is Christine and I currently teach Senior Infants. We cover the theme of Space as our Integrated Learning through Play topic each year so this course is going to be immensely helpful. I am also looking forward to discovering how it can support the new Primary Maths Curriculum. One of my favourite space facts is that the sunset on Mars appears blue.
Another play theme that we cover in class is Polar Exploration. I would use the ESERO’s Animals in the Cold (#7) lesson plan to build an ‘inquiry-based activity’. Using the Curious Minds framework, the structure would look as follows:
Engage
Prompt:Do they know any films/cartoons about the North or South Pole?
Wondering: What do the children know about these places on Earth?
Exploring: The children find out how animals that live in cold places keep themselves warm.
Investigate
Starter Question: What do people do when they feel cold? How do the penguin and the polar bear keep themselves warm?
Predicting: Explain that the penguin’s feathers and the polar bear’s fur are also covered in a layer of grease. Predict what happens because of this.
Conducting the Investigation: Rub Vaseline on one of each child’s hands. Now the children also have a greasy layer on their skin. Drip some water on this hand. What happens to the water?
Take the Next Step
Applying learning: Come to the conclusion that the water rolls off the hand with the greasy layer.
Making connections: Come to the conclusion that the penguin and the polar bear have three ways to keep themselves warm: a thick coat of fur or feathers, a thick layer of fat under their skin, and a greasy layer on their fur or feathers.
Thoughtful actions: The animals have adapted to the conditions that they live in