Activity Set on the Moon
I would like to use stations in Aistear to explore the topic of the moon with my senior infants class. These stations would provide a hands-on approach to learning about the moon, integrating sensory play, art, literacy, and science.
Station 1.Exploration Station: Moon Surface Sensory Bin
Objective: To explore the texture and appearance of the moon’s surface.
Materials: Kinetic sand or moon sand, small rocks, toy astronauts, rocket, and moon rover toys.
Activity: Children can use their hands to explore the sensory bin, burying and finding moon rocks. They can create craters and imagine what it might be like to walk on the moon using the toy astronauts.
Learning Outcome: Understanding the moon’s surface and encouraging sensory play.
Station 2. Art Station: Moon Phases Craft
Objective: To learn about the different phases of the moon.
Materials: Black paper, white chalk or paint, round templates, and images of moon phases. Use Moon support materials from Universe in a Box Resource pgs 31-32.
Activity: Children can use the templates to trace and colour the different phases of the moon on black paper. They can create a moon phases chart to take home. This could be used as part of their homework: looking up at the moon at night time.
Learning Outcome: Recognizing and understanding the phases of the moon.
Station 3. Reading Station: Moon Stories and Facts
Objective: To foster reading and comprehension skills through moon-themed books/Teacher read aloud book such as Moon by Stacy McAnulty/Go for the Moon by Chris Gall
Materials: A selection of moon-related books (fiction and non-fiction), comfy cushions, and a reading corner setup.
Activity: Teacher can also read aloud to the group, discussing interesting facts and stories about the moon.
Learning Outcome: Enhancing literacy skills and gaining knowledge about the moon through storytelling.
Station 4. Science Station: Moon Crater Experiment
Objective: To understand how craters are formed on the moon’s surface.
Materials: Flour, cocoa powder, small balls or marbles, shallow trays.
Activity: Fill trays with a layer of flour and sprinkle cocoa powder on top. Children can drop balls from different heights to create craters. Discuss how meteorites impact the moon’s surface.
Learning Outcome: Learning about the formation of craters and basic scientific experimentation.