I will use the activity set:Rockets
To introduce the lesson, I would start with 3 images (rocket/helicopter/hot air balloon) per outline on Explorify and ask children to discuss in groups: https://explorify.uk/en/activities/odd-one-out/funky-flyers
This activity is great for promoting observation and discussion skills. 1. Show the three images above and ask everyone to come up with as many similarities and differences as they can. If they get stuck, prompt them to think about:
appearance
what they do
where they might be found
2. Then, everyone needs to decide which one is the odd one out and why. Encourage a reason for every answer and there is no wrong answer!
I will ask the children how long they think rockets have been in existence and share the fact that a rocket is a craft that burns fuel to propel itself. Rockets have existed since 13th century China, when they were used as fireworks but modern rockets have been used for space research and to send people into space. We will look at where China is on the globe of the world and I have Ireland marked with a little sticker so they can identify how far away or close Ireland is to the country we are locating on the globe.
Next, I will engage the groups in the rocket mouse if they have no prior experience of this (if they do I would start with the balloon one using a long balloon as recommended and testing this at home in advance and move on to the alkasetzer rocket instead as an extension activity) , I will double-check with previous teacher as to which experiments they have already engaged with. I feel starting with a simple one is best to try and encourage discussion from all pupils.
We would discuss the results and I would show a different container to what they have used for the mouse rocket and ask each group to come with a starter inquiry before we try the different container and how this may impact the outcome. We will discuss & compare.
If it is the balloon activity will compare the random movement of the balloon as the air rushes out of it compared to the addition of the string and straw where the movement is controlled.
Extension Activity: Designing and making rockets from recycled materials (Art)
Literacy: Reading Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton to the class – asking them to record
verbs (action/doing words) as I read it.