Content Activity chosen: Aliens
Special life: life in space
I think this activity has a lovely reflective aspect to it, and can help celebrate the unique ideas and creativity of each pupil.
When asked to consider meeting an alien, I would initially envoke their feelings about such an encounter, reassuring them that this is a positive and safe imaginary space we are going to visit, not to be feared.
When considering the responses of pupils, whether orally initially or subsequently in written or drawn media, it is important to respect the views of each individual response as to what they think is unique in their world. There could potentially be a wide variation here, and some very interesting responses.
A comparison with The Snowman book by Raymond Briggs would be beneficial here, to demonstrate that what might seem mondain to us, could be of interest to someone who has yet to have such an experience.
One example is cold, and the freezer for the snowman. Or the motor car -how normal it seems to us.
Further analysis for older pupils could involve potential dangers for visitors and safety warnings that would be required.
I would close this lesson with some quiet self-reflection of experiences that I am grateful to have had that others may not have, in a very broad sense.