While teaching a younger class during space week , this is the rough lesson plan spanning the 5 days in which I can promote space , encourage an interest in it and how it can be both educational and fun to learn about . I created this lesson plan using ideas from not only the previous modules but also online resources.
Monday: Galaxy
Discuss our galaxy , contents ? Solar system ? Aliens ? How much do we know about our galaxy ? How big is it ? Following the discussion I would recreate a hands on activity to further engagement. For this topic , creating Galaxy glow-in-the-dark sensory bottles.
Tuesday : Stars
To begin the lesson , I would encourage the exploration of what stars are. What are they made of ? How old are stars ? What do they look like ? What are constellationms ? Yet again following this discussion, another hands on project would be recreated, in this case being creating our own constellations using paper, pens beads etc
Wednesday : The Solar system
For the start of this lesson , I would have the children discuss and exchange their ideas and opinions of what a solar system is ? How big they are ? How many planets are in a solar system ? And how big they are / small ? Following this I would recreate another experiment and the children could design and create their own physical solar systems from either styrofoam, clay or play dough . After this they could present their creations to the class.
Thursday: The Moon
First off I would have the children explain to me their knowledge of our moon. It’s changing stages , effects on earth (eg ocean) and what they think its importance is. We would then read stories about the man on the moon, watching the short movie as well ‘La Luna’ . https://youtu.be/7UMecxjQAvk?si=eWIsGcjo1UXxZnDK . Following on from this we could continue into the topic of rocket ships and spacecrafts . I would discuss with the children what makes a good rocket ship and have them each design and create their own rocket ships following the basic outlines I would provide. They could then display these around the classroom or hallways in honour of space week.
Friday : Aliens
I would first of all kick off the lesson by reading the popular children’s book ‘Aliens love underpants ‘ . Following reading we would then begin the discussion over what is an alien ? How do we know they’re aliens ? Where would you find an alien ? Etc . Children could write their opinions /answers on paper and hold on to it for later in the lesson .As a fun activity then I would have the children divide in to pairs and close their eyes. They would take turns to pretend that their partner is a
Martian visiting earth . They have to ask each other what the physical
appearance of a Martian looks like. What size are you? What colour are you? Do you have arms/legs/eyes just like humans? Allow the children to then sketch their version of what their Martian will look like. Finally they could decorate them further, display around the school and we would revisit the earlier questions (what is an alien etc) and correct our mistakes.