Activity Set: Space and Aliens. This lesson encompasses many of the subjects in one.
Religion – To introduce the topic of planets, I would pre-teach the song from the Grow in Love Senior Infant programme ‘Thank You God For Our World’ which lists many different features of planet earth. The children would do a think-pair-share of their favourite features of earth e.g. the oceans, lakes, plants, trees, birds etc.
Geography- I would then use pictures of the planets as a stimulus to start the discussion on the differences between Earth and the other planets in our solar system, focusing on planet Mars. The children would be encouraged to think about how it looks different, how far it is from the sun, what they think might be on it. They would refer back to their discussion on their favourite features of Earth and discuss whether they think these things would exist on Mars.
English – the children will then read the book ‘Emma on Mars’, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG72QWL22Fw) which shows the landscape of Mars, how close it is to the sun etc.
Art – I would then pose the question of what they think a Martian would look like, based on the atmosphere and the environment of Mars. The children will be supplied with different materials in order to make their own Martian figure.
Drama – the children could use their Martian figurines to do a role play of life on Mars or a role play of the first meeting of humans and Martians.