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Space Week Class Plan for Junior Infants
Objectives:
Introduce students to basic concepts of space, including planets, stars, and astronauts.
Encourage curiosity and enthusiasm about space exploration – Questioning.
Provide hands-on activities to reinforce learning through play and creativity.
Throughout the week I will
· Decorate the classroom with space posters and hanging planets to create an immersive environment.
Play soft, space-themed music during activities to keep the theme present throughout the week.
Day 1: Introduction to Space
Theme: What is Space?
Activities:
Story Time:
Read a space-themed book, such as “There’s No Place Like Space” by Tish Rabe.
Discuss the story and ask students what they found most interesting.
Questioning throughout story time.
Interactive Discussion:
Show pictures of planets, stars, and astronauts.
Explain in simple terms what space is and who astronauts are and what they do.
Use physical resources like a toy rocket and planets to make the discussion more engaging.
Art Activity:
Materials: Black card/paper, white chalk or crayons/ metallic markers, star stickers.
Activity: Create a night sky scene by drawing stars and placing star stickers.
Day 2: Exploring Planets
Theme: The Planets in Our Solar System
Activities:
Circle Time:
Sing a simple planet song to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to introduce the names of the planets.
Planet Colouring:
Materials: Printable planet colouring sheets, crayons, markers.
Activity: Colour pictures of different planets and talk about and question one or two interesting facts about each planet as they colour.
Sensory Play:
Materials: Sand, small pebbles, toy rockets, and astronauts.
Activity: Create a small “moon” or “Mars” sensory bin where students can play with toy rockets and astronauts.
Day 3: Stars and Constellations
Theme: What are Stars?
Activities:
Starry Sky Projector:
Materials: A star projector or flashlight with a star cut-out (Can get on amazon they’re great for cool downs).
Activity: Darken the room and project stars onto the ceiling, explaining that stars are far-away suns.
Constellation Craft:
Materials: Black card/paper, white chalk, star stickers, constellations templates.
Activity: Use the templates to create constellations with stickers and chalk.
Star Movement Activity:
Materials: Star cut-outs.
Activity: Place star cut-outs around the room. Have students “hop” from star to star, practicing counting as they go- They’re making their own star constellations by hopping from star to star.
Day 4: Astronauts and Space Travel
Theme: Life as an Astronaut
Activities:
Dress-Up Play:
Materials: Simple astronaut costumes or helmets (can be made from cardboard and foil).
Activity: Pretend play where students can dress up as astronauts and imagine going to space.
Rocket Craft:
Materials: Toilet paper rolls, paper, glue, markers.
Activity: Create rockets using toilet paper rolls and paper. Decorate them with markers and stickers.
Movement Activity:
Activity: “Blast off” by jumping high into the air and practicing counting down from 10 with their hand-made rockets.
Day 5: Space Week Review and Celebration
Theme: Space Week Recap
Activities:
Space Bingo:
Materials: Bingo cards with pictures of planets, stars, rockets, and astronauts.
Activity: Play a simple game of Space Bingo to review what they’ve learned.
Space Snacks:
Materials: Star-shaped cookies or fruit, juice.
Activity: Have a space-themed snack time and discuss their favourite parts of Space Week.
Certificate of Participation:
Materials: Printable certificates.
Activity: Hand out certificates to each student for participating in Space Week. Take a group photo to commemorate the week dressed in space suits and/or hand-made rockets.