Activity Set: Rockets lesson for 1st class
I think I would carry out this activity set the week following on from Space Week perhaps, after prior knowledge of the solar system/ planets has been established. (I usually do at least 2 or 3 weeks of Space themed activities/ lessons when teaching it). Vega l
To engage the children’s focus, at the beginning of the lesson, I would show the children a video clip of the Vega rocket launch to get the children interested and wondering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRt8zQXKQp4 I’ve showed this to a few of my classes a few years ago, but had forgotten about it as a great stimulus to lessons.
Host a class discussion on the launch and rockets-shapes and sizes, look at different types of rockets. Ask questions such as what it might be like to be an astronaut in a rocket, be in space etc. I love the Chris Hadfield videos of him on the ISS-I’ve shown these to children before and their are truly fascinated by him! I would definitely show a few of his videos, even during lunchtime etc to keep the theme going throughout the day.
I think I would do the balloon on a string rocket as a whole class demonstration then-led by me and a few helpers…give a few children a go of holding the balloon rocket for take off/ hold the string taught on either sides of classroom etc. (They love jobs!). I would sit them around in a circle close by.
I would then give children the opportunity to explore making their own rockets in small groups of 4. I would leave the materials to make the foam rockets on each group’s tables-foam, card, scissors, tape, elastic band. I would allow them to investigate the materials first and see what ideas they could come up with first before then showing them the steps of ow to make the foam rockets. I’ve done the foam rockets before with 2nd class but I think 1st class will require a lot more support and instruction.
We will predict what distance our rockets may launch and see if we make changes to the rockets/ materials used how this will affect them etc.
We will go outside and launch them-using long wooden metre sticks. We will then integrate Maths into the lesson by using metre sticks and strides and baby steps to see whose rocket traveled the furthest/ shortest, etc. -using mathematical language from Length/ Measures.
I would also carry out an art lesson-drawing rockets using bright pastels on a black background. ( See picture attached). We would aslo make astronauts-using paper plates as the mask-print/ stick a photo of themselves on the head and decorate an astronaut suit with their country’s flag etc.
I usually create a big rocket and add a few things like a telescope and space related items to a imaginative play area in my classroom and allow a group down to dramatise/ free play for 20mins each day. They loved this when I did it last year…but it is noisy!
I would listen to Space related songs for music during the week. Read space/ rocket stories for English. The Way Back Home is good. During PE we would play ‘Space Invaders’-Aliens versus Humans-turning up/ down the round cones that are scattered all over the floor-the boys love this game.
I love to print out the Congratulations Certificates for participating in Space Week each year and laminate them and write their names on them. I think I got these on the SFI website before…maybe someone can remind me where if not there. I once registered our space week event and they sent out space week pencils to our class. I think I did it another year though and they sent nothing! So think it may be hit and miss!