I really like the Marvin and Milo comic style insructions for the rocket activities. I based a lesson on the balloon rocket.
WALT: We Are Learning To make a simple rocket and understand the basic principles of how rockets work.
Introduction
I would introduce the lesson by showing videos of rockets launching and ask the children questions to elicit any prior knowledge of how rockets work.
Marvin and Milo Comic:
I would then show the Marvin and Milo comic strip on how to make a rocket.
Discuss the instructions: what Marvin and Milo did and the basic idea of how rockets fly.
Making a Balloon Rocket
Setup:
Tie one end of the string to a fixed point (e.g., a chair or a doorknob).
Thread the other end of the string through a plastic straw.
Building the Rocket:
Inflate a balloon but do not tie it. Hold the open end.
Tape the inflated balloon to the plastic straw.
Launch Preparation:
Ask students to decorate their balloons with paper fins and drawings using markers.
Ensure all rockets are secure and ready for launch.
Launching the Rocket:
Pull the string tight and have students release their balloons, observing how the air escaping propels the balloon along the string.
Repeat the activity, allowing each child to launch their rocket.
Conclusion
Discussion:
Ask students what they observed during the rocket launches.
Encourage students to think about other objects that fly.
I would take videos and watch them as a whole class. I would also share the videos on Seesaw for the parents to see and to encourage the children to discuss this fun experiment at home.
There’s also an informative video showing how rockets work in a relatable way for children – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g0FehS0H1E
Integration: I would teach the song We’re going on a Rocket Ship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE0qcTPGCVs&list=RDwE0qcTPGCVs&start_radio=1