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ASSIGNMENT
Choose from one of the activities or activity sets outlined in this module:
- Activity Set: Stars
- Activity Set: Space and Aliens
How would you use the activity in your classroom? Post a reflective piece (150 words min) to the forum as a reply to this post. You may include digital records of the activities.
Also, please respond to at least one other participant’s post. -
My coggle by module 3 https://coggle.it/diagram/am2tE6asr6otYAgT/t/what-is-space
I would do Activity 19 ‘Special Life’ with my class.
I think it would be useful in exploring the conditions for life as met by planet Earth, and also note the differences between Earth and the other planets that we know about. At this age, children can either believe that aliens are, or aren’t real. Others can be quite scared by the idea.I will also do the ‘Seeing Star’ activity (looking at The Plough In Different Ways) **yes I am super excited and motivated about this one!!!**
Step 1:
The Plough activity will be made with class assistance and observation, – largely led and modelled by myself but with much child-input.
Step 2:
I plan to split the children into groups and use constellations that allow me to tailor the activity for different abilities, due to the requirements of different constellations.
I would help the children to use Cassiopeia and Southern Cross for the abilities needing to focus on simpler shapes with fewer stars to be made: a ‘W'(5stars) and a ‘Cross'(4 stars) respectively.
I would help other groups benefiting from a more challenging/time consuming activity, to use Orion and Leo – this range covers 7-9 stars).
Step 3:
We can keep the display active under a few tables/ or share along the corridor/ other display area and invite different classes to view and talk about our work!-
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Hi Francis,
thank you for sharing your activity and mindmap, I appreciate you pointing out how special Earth is in our own Goldilocks zone.
The differentiated constellations for the Seeing Stars activity is lovely way to keep the whole class working on the same concept across ability levels. The corridor display sounds fabulous, definitely the kind of thing the kids will be proud to show off to their friends.
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I would use the activity “Make a star lantern” with an older class. Having looked at real constellations, I think it would be exciting for the pupils to make their own constellation and name it. Taking ownership of their own project helps to engage the pupils and the majority have a huge interest in space already. I like the design and creativity used to make this star lantern, and that they can bring home something they may like to use in their room.
It may also be a good idea to keep it flat, similar to the plough investigation, so they can shine a torch behind it to see their constellation light up on a wall. A good website I found is Constellations – Mayo Dark Sky Park where they have descriptions of all the major constellations. There is also an art page based on the constellations available to download.
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Activity Set: Stars
I would use the Stars activity set with my Second Class pupils to introduce them to stars and encourage them to become curious about the night sky. I would begin by asking the children what they already know about stars and what questions they have about them. I would record their ideas and questions so that we could return to them at the end of the activity.
I would allow the children to explore images and information about stars and discuss what they notice. We could then investigate questions such as why we can see stars at night and whether all stars are the same. The children could work in pairs or small groups to share their ideas and make simple observations.
I think this activity would work particularly well because it encourages children to ask questions and find answers rather than simply being given information. I could also use technology to support the learning by allowing pupils to create a digital record using photographs, drawings, voice recordings or short sentences. This would give children different ways to show what they have learned and would make the activity enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
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I really like how you give the children responsibility for their own learning by allowing them to ask their own questions and explore the topic themselves. I also think offering different ways for the children to show their learning is a great idea. Having the option to use drawings, photographs, voice recordings or writing means that children can choose a way that suits their learning style and strengths. This would help to keep all of the children engaged and make the activity more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
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I would use the activity set on Stars to encourage curiosity and help the children understand that stars are more than small points of light in the night sky. I would begin with a “What do you notice? What do you wonder?” activity using photographs of stars and constellations. The children could share their existing ideas, questions and any misconceptions they may have. These could be recorded on a KWL chart and revisited at the end of the topic.
As an inquiry activity, the children could investigate why some stars appear brighter than others. They could explore how distance, size and temperature affect a star’s appearance. I would also introduce some familiar constellations and invite the children to design their own using black card, chalk, stickers or torches. They could name their constellation and create a story explaining how it came to be. This would provide meaningful links with art, literacy, history and mythology.
The children could keep a short stargazing diary at home, recording the date, weather conditions and what they could see. Digital tools could support the activity through a child-friendly stargazing app or website. They could upload drawings, photographs or voice recordings to Seesaw or Book Creator to document their learning.
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I really enjoyed reading your post. I like how you start by finding out what the children already know using the “What do you notice? What do you wonder?” activity. This is a great way to encourage curiosity and gives the children a chance to share their own ideas. I also think the constellation activity is lovely as it combines science with art and storytelling, making the learning more enjoyable. The stargazing diary is another great idea because it encourages the children to continue their learning at home and involve their families. Using digital tools like Seesaw or Book Creator is a nice way for the children to record and share their work. It sounds like a fun and engaging way to teach about stars while developing a range of skills across the curriculum.
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I like the idea of the KWL chart at the beginning and checking new discoveries at the end of the lesson. Seesaw and BookCreator app are also good ways to incorporate technology for recording learning. I like the idea in the activities, of a dark page and using paint spattering (toothbrush and a comb) to show how there are millions of stars.
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Hi Geraldine, I think this idea is fab! I think the children would really enjoy creating their own constellations and making up stories about them. The stargazing diary is a great way to get them involved outside the classroom too. It sounds like a really fun activity that would keep them curious and interested in space!
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I chose the Activity Set: Space and Aliens because I think it is a topic that really captures children’s imagination. As I will be teaching Second Class, I would use this activity to encourage the children to ask questions, think creatively and develop their science skills through play and investigation.
I would begin by asking the children what they already know about space and whether they think there could be life on other planets. We would discuss their ideas and record their questions. The children could then work in small groups to design and create their own alien using recycled materials. They would decide what planet their alien lives on and explain how its features help it survive in that environment. This would encourage the children to think about habitats, adaptation and the different conditions that might exist in space.
To extend the learning, we could read a story about space, create alien fact files and use tablets to research the planets in our solar system. The children could also present their aliens to the class and explain the reasons behind their designs.
I think this activity would be a great way to link Science, Art, English and STEM. It encourages creativity, teamwork and problem-solving while allowing children to use their imagination. Most importantly, it makes science enjoyable and helps children become more confident in asking questions and exploring new ideas.
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I love the integration into the visual arts. I would further extend this into observing planets and their characteristics . Children in teams could design a planet using fabric and fibres and then use clay to create a creature that lives on the planet. This could be developed into literacy and creative writing and create enthusiasm across a wide range of subjects.
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Activity 1: Stars
To run the ‘Lots and Lots of Stars’ lesson, I would start with the kids on the rug using three clear jars and marbles. I would begin with five marbles, move to a jar with enough for every student, and finish with a jar filled to the top. This gives them a clear picture of huge numbers before we discuss how our Sun is a star and why stars shine in the night sky. Next, the students would move to the art station. They would paint a dark backdrop and flick toothbrushes over lolly sticks to splatter colourful star patterns across their paper. Afterwards, we would work through a star-counting worksheet to practice reading and writing numbers. The marble demonstration helps make abstract concepts clear, while splatter painting lets students explore space creatively. -
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Activity – Space and Aliens
I envisage doing this as an extension lesson after teaching about the planets and the solar system
I would introduce the topic by reading the book Aliens Love Underpants. The children would then draw a mind map to encourage thinking on what we have already learned and know about other planets.
I would then encourage them to use their imagination and to think about what kind of life forms they think might exist in outer space. We would have a discussion about this. We would consider what we have previously learned about other planets – are they gas giants, rocks, how far from the sun – hot, freezing cold, solar storms etc.
The children would then choose a planet and design an alien that might live there, complete with habitat.
As an extension we could build our aliens and their habitats as a construction lesson in art. We could write a character profile in English and present it to the class. We could write a poem about out alien. The children could act out a scenario of their alien landing on planet earth and having to interact with humans for the first time!
The topic of space and aliens really integrates the curriculum – STEM, language, PE, art, Drama, Geography, History.
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Lesson: Exploring Constellations and Stars (Senior Infants)
For this lesson, I’d start by asking the children if they’ve ever looked up at the night sky and noticed the stars. We’d have a little chat about what stars are and how, long ago, people joined them together to make pictures called constellations.
To get everyone involved, we’d sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” before looking at a few simple constellations, such as the Big Dipper and Orion.
The children would then create their own constellation pictures using black paper and white chalk or crayons. They could copy one we’ve looked at or use their imagination to design their own. As they work, we’d talk about how people once used the stars to tell stories and help them find their way. I would encourage the children to name their constellations.
To finish, we’d share our constellations with the class and, if they wanted, the children could tell the story behind the pattern they created. I’d record their explanations on Seesaw so families could see their learning and hear them talking about their work. -
I would use the Space and Aliens – Special Life activity with my class because it encourages imagination, questioning, and early scientific thinking. To introduce the topic, I would read Whatever Next, which is a lovely way to get children talking about Baby Bear’s journey to the moon, what he packed, and what he discovered.
We would create a simple mind map comparing life on Earth with life in space. This naturally leads to questioning, such as “What would someone living in space need?” and “What would we want to show them about Earth?” These questions help children think more deeply and share their ideas confidently.
The creative tasks — drawing pictures, acting out scenes, and designing their own aliens — make the lesson highly engaging. Younger children are always fascinated by aliens, so this imaginative element works well. The activity also links nicely with English, drama, science, and art, making it a strong cross‑curricular lesson.
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Hi Gráinne,
Thanks for sharing your activity, these are great questions to spark the children’s imagination. One thing you could try is giving them a fact about another planet and asking them to imagine what an alien from there might look like. For example, Neptune is made mostly of gas, so what kind of creature could survive on a planet with no solid ground to stand on?
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Space and aliens.
Hypothetical lesson,
I’d make this lesson all about friendly aliens and the different planets they might live on. We would start by chatting about the Solar System and learning one or two easy facts about each planet. For example, Mercury is really hot, Mars is called the Red Planet, Saturn has rings and Neptune is very cold. I wouldnt spend too long on each one, just enough so the childrens have a few facts to use in the activity. Perhaps even leave them in plain sight to help support children who may need that, or even leave a fact book down to allow children to further their info.
For the main activity I’d bring the class outside and hide pictures of different aliens around the yard. Each alien would look a bit different, maybe one has thick fur, another has really big eyes, long arms or even rings around its body. The children would work in small groups to find an alien and decide which planet it belongs on. They would have to explain their answer using the facts they learned about the planets. For example, they might say a furry alien belongs on Neptune because its so cold, or an alien with rings would be happier on Saturn. I think using the outdoor classroom would make the lesson much more fun because the children are moving around, talking together and using their imagination while learning about space.
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Module 3
Using ESERO’s Space and Aliens pack with Junior or Senior Infants is such a fun, easy way to mix play-based learning with a bit of science. Young kids are already obsessed with the idea of space and funny creatures, so using aliens as a hook instantly gets them hooked!
- Hands-on & Math Skills: Getting them to build aliens out of playdough or junk art is awesome for fine motor skills and early math. You get them counting without even realizing it (“Look, my alien has six eyes and three legs!”).
- Sparking Big Questions: It naturally opens up lovely, simple chats about what living things actually need to survive—like food, water, and air—without getting bogged down in heavy science terms.
- Building Language through Play: Turning the role-play area into a space station gets them talking, making up alien languages, and acting out stories together, which is brilliant for oral language.
Combining creative imagination with real space facts works like a charm for this age. It keeps things fun and builds that early interest in STEM. Next time, I’d love to do a mini “Alien Parade” where the kids can show off their creations and tell the class all about their alien’s home planet!
Link to Mind map
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Resource: Design a Martian (from Mars Booklet) (2nd Class)
I would begin by asking the children, “If life existed on Mars, what might it look like and why?” I would show images of Mars and encourage them to observe its surface and temperature. Rather than providing answers, I would use open-ended questions such as, “How would a Martian move?”, “What would it need to survive?”, and “How might its body help it live there?”
I would encourage the children to investigate these ideas through discussion, sketching, and sharing their predictions. I would scaffold them by questioning do we know animals that live in very cold habitats, do we know any animals that live with very little water and talking about how these animals are adapted for these environments. I would then ask them to design and create their own Martian using a range of materials such as playdough and fabrics, explaining how each feature helps it survive on Mars. I would facilitate opportunities for pupils to compare ideas with their peers and refine their designs based on new thinking. To conclude, I would organise a gallery walk where the children present their Martians and answer questions from classmates. I would finish with a reflection on what they liked about other children’s ideas and whether these could be incorporated in their own designs.
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Hi Donal,
I really like the idea of doing a gallery walk with the children after they have finished making their Martians, with time for their peers to also ask questions about their work too. It sounds like a great way for the children to do some self-reflection on their own work, and give reasons why they made their Martian the way that they did.
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<span style=”font-size: 15px;”> I’m going to be teaching Junior Infants in the new school year so I’m basing my activities around that! For my space and aliens activity I would use a stimulus such as a picture book(I love The Smeds and the Smoos or Aliens Wear Underpants). Oliver Jeffers also has some fab space themed picture books and I find its a topic that really inspires awe and wonder in the children.
1. Introduction
Gather the children in a circle. Look through a toy telescope at a picture of a starry galaxy. Ask the children what they think lives far away in space. Introduce the concept of a friendly alien.Maybe even give it a name or use an alien puppet
2. Designing and Making
Provide each group with an array of art materials such as: Googly eyes (encourage them to use three or four eyes), pipe cleaners twisted into fun shapes,mini pom-poms, shiny tinfoil scraps, and markers for mouths.Children practice fine motor skills by peeling stickers, gluing materials, and bending pipe cleaners.
3. Sharing
Each child holds up their creation. Help them give their alien a funny space name and share one thing their alien loves to eat or do. I have done a similar activity with my class over the years. Simple but very effective! </span>
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Activity Set: Stars
One activity that really stood out to me was “Stars, Seeing Stars! Looking at the Plough in Two Different Ways.” I think it would be a lovely way to introduce the topic of Stars to a class because it encourages children to become curious about the world around them. I like that it combines science with storytelling and shows that different cultures have their own interpretations of the same group of stars, making the learning much more meaningful.
I would begin by discussing what the children already know about the night sky before sharing different stories about the Plough from Ireland and other parts of the world. The children could then use an app like Stellarium to locate the Plough and record their observations. I also like the idea of extending the activity at home by encouraging children to explore the night sky with their families.
I think it would be lovely to display the children’s star maps, drawings and observations around the classroom. Not only does this celebrate their work, but it also gives us something to refer back to later in the year when learning about space or other STEM topics, helping children make connections across their learning.
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Hi Cáit,
Thanks for sharing your lesson with us, what a fabulous way to connect the stars to other places by exploring the different stories the same constellation holds across different cultures. Stellarium is a fantastic tool to use too, it lets the children see exactly what’s overhead on any given night, so it could be a lovely way to check whether the constellations you’ve discussed are actually visible from Ireland at the moment, and to let them explore the sky for themselves beyond the lesson.
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As I will be teaching senior infants in September, I am basing my activities around that specific class. I choose the activity based on Stars, as they are such a fun and curious group that I know they would love to engage and wonder. I would begin with the song twinkle twinkle little star to get the topic going, thinking, wondering. Where are the stars, when do we see them etc. The children can then share their ideas, thoughts and get the discussion going. An interactive star gazing activity on the board would really allow for attention and discussion. I would then integration an art lesson into the topic and have them create their own stars. I will provide a black card backdrop, giving each child a fork we would dip these into the yellow paint, to give a flickering star affect. I would provide opportunity for oral language on what star they created and why.
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Activity set: stars. I really like looking up to the sky on a dark night and gazing at the stars. As a child I always remember imaging what the shapes in the sky could be or what story they could tell. The activity that I have chosen to try in my classroom is the draw your own constellation activity that was outlined in the OneDrive as part of module 3. Children have great imaginations and I think younger children would love to do this activity. They would be given a few examples to discuss as part of a pair or in a small group. They would form their ideas and share them with the class. I would then get them to create their own and allow the children to identify what they think others have created. As a concluding activity, I would create a dark space in the room by closing blinds and turning off lights and get the children to examine constellations on the IWB.
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I would choose the Space and Aliens activity set. I think this would be a really fun activity to do with my First Class children as they would be interested in the idea of aliens and what life might be like on another planet. I would start by asking the children if they think there could be life on other planets and what they think an alien might look like. The children could then work in small groups to create their own alien. They could decide what planet their alien lives on, what it looks like, what it eats and how it survives. They could draw their alien and write some simple facts about it. The children could then present their aliens to the rest of the class. I think this activity would encourage the children to use their imagination while also getting them to think about space and the conditions needed for life. It would also give them opportunities to ask questions, share ideas and work together. I could take photos of their aliens and use them as a digital record of the activity.
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Mars Classroom Resource – Designing a Martian
I particularly like the Mars Classroom Resource from spaceweek.ie, especially the lesson where the children investigate how they might design a Martian. Although the resource is aimed more towards the Junior and Senior end of primary school, I would adapt the lesson slightly to make it suitable for First Class.
I would link the activity closely with a Mathematics lesson on 2D shapes instead of 3D shapes, allowing the children to apply their knowledge of different 2D shapes in a creative and meaningful way.
I would begin with the starter question: “What would a Martian look like?” We would discuss the different body parts a Martian might have and encourage the children to use their imaginations. I would then introduce the mathematical element by asking questions such as: What 2D shapes could we use to make a Martian? Would its head be a circle? Could its eyes be ovals? Could it have a triangular body?
The children would then be encouraged to sketch their own Martian, thinking carefully about the different 2D shapes they could use in their design.
For the main investigation, I would provide each child with a sheet and a selection of pre-cut 2D shapes that we have been learning about during our Mathematics lessons. The children would use these shapes to create their own Martian. At the bottom of the sheet, I would include a grid with the names of the different 2D shapes, such as circle, oval, triangle, square and rectangle.
The children would then complete a recording how many of each shape they used in their Martian. For example, they might record that they used five circles, two ovals, three triangles and one rectangle. This would allow them to practice counting, recording data and recognising 2D shapes while also engaging creatively with the Mars theme.
To conclude the lesson, we would share our Martians as a class and discuss the different shapes that were used. We could then conduct a simple class survey to find out which 2D shape was the most popular when creating our Martians.
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I will be teaching Second Class this year and I would use the Stars activity as part of a space-themed project, focusing particularly on constellations. I think this would be a lovely topic to explore with the children as we, humans, are curious about space and I think they would enjoy looking at the night sky and discovering different patterns made by stars. I would begin by asking the children what they already know about stars and whether they have ever looked at the night sky and noticed any patterns. I would then introduce the idea of constellations and show them examples such as Orion and the Big Dipper. We could discuss what shapes the children can see and talk about how people have used their imaginations to give these groups of stars names and stories. For our project, I would ask the children to create their own constellation. They could use dark paper and paint, chalk or stickers to create a night sky and arrange their stars into a pattern. They could then give their constellation a name and write a short story or description about it.
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The activity I would like to complete with my class is from the activity set: space and aliens. The lesson I would like to complete is to design their own martian.
To start the lesson, I would play the alien arrival music from Youtube. I would ask the children to guess what they are going to be learning about. When the children have identified aliens, we will fill in a KWL chart. I will read a storybook called Aliens in Underpants Save the World. We will look at the different types of aliens in the book. I will inform the children that they will be designing their own alien or martian. To get thr children started, I will ask questions such as “what will your alien look like?” Children will be provided with clay, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and straws. Each child will create their own martian. These will be displayed on a moon display.This lesson is a great lesson to link with differences subjects. Maths could be linked by asking about how many arms, legs and eyes their martians have. Children would work on oral language by describing their martians to their classmates. The lesson itself is an art lesson. After the lesson, we could sing a song about aliens such as Going on an Alien Hunt.
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Hi sarah, I really like this lesson idea! It sounds like a fun and engaging way to get the children interested in space while also allowing them to use their imagination. I especially like how you have linked the activity with different subjects such as Maths, Art and Oral Language and music with the song at the end of the lesson.
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I would choose the activity set: Space and Aliens for my junior classroom. I think this would be a fun and engaging way to introduce children to space and encourage their curiosity. I would gather all of the children at the carpet area. I would begin by asking the children what they already know about space and aliens. I would then show them pictures of planets, stars, rockets and astronauts and allow them to share their ideas and ask questions. I would then use the activities to encourage the children to explore and ask questions about what they see.
I would give the children opportunities to work together and share their ideas. For example, they could design their own alien or create a picture of what they think an alien’s planet might look like. I would ask open questions such as, “What do you think is on your planet?” and “Why did you choose these features for your alien?” etc. This would allow the children to use their imagination while also developing their communication skills.
I feel this activity would work well because it is hands-on, creative and allows children to learn through play. It would also help me to see what the children already know and use their questions to guide further learning.
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In order to teach Stars and Constellations to first class I would first brainstorm what we know about stars and the sky. I would introduce some picture of stars from a wide range of sources and write up some of the words we use to describe stars e.g. bright, shiny, night-time, the sun, twinkling. We would then talk about star patterns and the constellations. I would teach concepts and ideas, e.g. stars are huge balls of burning gas that make their own light and heat. Our closest star is the sun it gives heat, light, and helps plants grow.
We would discuss the colours of the stars: Blue stars are very hot, yellow stars (like our sun) are medium, and red stars are cooler. This could be played as a P.E lesson using hoops called Burning stars, where children have to run to hoops of a certain colour.
We would observe the constellations and do dot-to-dot picture shapes in the sky like the Big Dipper/ the plough or Orion.
Some fun arts and crafts ideas could include:
Constellation Tubes: Poke holes in the bottom of empty cardboard tubes, children could do them in the shape of a constellation or design their own, then they can shine light throw them or look at the window and observe the patterns.
Marshmallow Constellations: Use mini marshmallows and toothpicks to build 3D shapes of star groups.
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I like how you use a range of methods to teach about stars and integrate it into different areas of the curriculum, such as the PE game. It sounds like a fun way to get the children moving. I have used marshmallows and toothpicks before to teach about consellations but some of the children didn’t like the feeling of the marshmallows so I also had pegboards for them to use.
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I enjoyed both Activities. I believe both will keep the children really engaged.
I would do the activity : Aliens
We are lucky to have a projector in our sensory room, i would get the children in and lay them on the floor and project the planets up on the ceiling. We would talk about the planets. the difference in each of them. I would bring up earth last and explain that we have people living on this planet.
We would than discuss that even though it has never been proven but can we imagine if there was aliens what would they look like. i would get them to draw an alien they imagine, with recycled materials they could make a 3d model alien. this would lead onto what would you show them if they came to planet earth what would you show them i would either do the act out what you would show them or they can role play it and i would dress up as my alien and they can be on planet earth. they may even dress up as what they wanted to show me
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I would use the Stars activity set with my First Class because I think it would really interest the children. Most children enjoy learning about space, so it would be a good way to get them involved. I would start by talking about what they already know about stars and constellations and then show them some pictures of the night sky. After that, we could make our own constellations using black paper and star stickers. I also like the idea of making up stories about the constellations because it links in well with English and oral language.
I think this activity would also work well with maths as the children could look at shapes, patterns and position. They would be working together, sharing ideas and asking questions, which is really important in science. Overall, I think this activity is a fun way to teach about space and it would keep the children interested while learning across a few different subjects. -
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I would use the Space and Aliens activity set with my First Class because I think the children would really enjoy it. The topic is fun and gives them lots of chances to use their imagination. I would begin by talking about what all living things need to survive, like food, water and air. Then I would ask the children to think about what an alien might need if it lived on a different planet.
The children could design and draw their own alien and explain why it looks the way it does. I think this would help them think about science in a simple way while also improving their speaking and drawing skills. They could also work in pairs to create a home for their alien and share their ideas with the class. I like that this activity mixes science, art and oral language together. Overall, I think it would be an enjoyable lesson that would encourage the children to ask questions and be creative while learning. -
Module 3 Forum Post
At the end of a unit of work on Space, I would create an exciting “Alien Landing” maths, art and oral language mission. Children build a custom alien using rolled-up foil, measure its height with counting cubes, and count its paper spots. They then draw a matching planetary home on a crater-dotted paper background.
Introduction:
Discuss what we have already learned about Space as part of our unit of work. Explain to the class we are going to create our own alien landing.
Activity:
Give each child a ball of aluminium foil to sculpt a small alien body.
Provide googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and coluorful paper shapes to glue on.
Set out interlocking math cubes and crayons.
Sculpt the Alien: Twist and shape the foil into a funny alien with tentacles or extra heads.
Count the Features: Glue on 3 googly eyes, 4 pipe-cleaner arms, and 5 paper spots. Write down each number.
Measure Height: Snap together plastic counting cubes to match the height of your alien. Count how tall it is in cubes.
Design the Planet: Draw a purple planet with black craters on a dark blue paper sheet.
Share and Tell: Show your alien to a partner and share what language your alien speaks.This lesson could also integrate literacy by giving the class an Alien Profile template and getting to create a profile for their alien based on age, where they live, who is in their family and so on.
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I would introduce this activity by creating a darkened space in the classroom and using small lights or star shapes to represent the night sky. I would ask the children what they notice and encourage them to talk about what they might see when looking at the sky at night. This would allow me to find out what they already know about stars.
We would then explore the idea that stars can appear to form patterns in the sky. I would show the children a few simple examples and ask them what shapes or pictures they can see. Rather than focusing on remembering the names of constellations, I would encourage the children to use their imagination and think about what the patterns look like to them.
For the main activity, the children would work in small groups to make their own star patterns. They could use paper, stickers, paint or small star shapes to create a picture of their own night sky. Once finished, each child could give their star pattern a name and tell the class what they think it represents. I would link by using a video on you tube and reading the story Aliens love underpants this is always a firm favourite.
To conclude, we would display the children’s work together as a classroom “night sky”. This activity would encourage curiosity, creativity, communication and observation while introducing the children to the fascinating world of stars and constellations.
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Activity Set: Stars
To begin this lesson I would use the song ‘Sky Full of Stars’. After this we could have a classroom discussion about stars in the night sky. We would talk about how many stars we can see in the sky and if some are brighter than others and why might this be. From here, I would show the children some pictures of different constellations without the lines joining them and ask if they notice any patterns. This will allow for a think-pair-share moment. Next, explain constellations through the idea of patterns and joining the dots. Show the same constellations with the lines highlighting them and the names of each. An activity we could do next is a join the dot worksheet of the different constellations. Following this, the children could design their own constellations on an A4 sheet black paper card and chalk or paint and give them a name. They could then construct a 3D version using straws and playdough/blue tack. Another activity would be to use the Stellarium web on I-Pad to explore constellations and star maps. At the end, we could have a class discussion about what we learned.
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Hi Keith,
This sounds fantastic. I absolutely recommend stellarium for this lesson. This resource might be useful too.
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I would begin the lesson for Junior Infants by reading the storybook The Stories of the Stars: Constellations for Kids.
After reading the story, I would ask the children to explain what they think the word “constellations” means. I would record their feedback on the board.
Using pre-made packs, I would ask the children to create a saucepan shape using the measured matchsticks and pom-poms. They would then try to create the “Big Dipper” as accurately as possible. I would support the children where necessary by providing a printed diagram of the Big Dipper for them to copy.
I would then introduce the line:
“I used to be a saucepan, now I am…”
I would encourage the children to use their imaginations to create their own star constellation based on the Big Dipper, transforming it into something completely different in the night sky. The children would think of an imaginative name for their new constellation. I would act as a scribe, writing the names of the various “new” constellations onto cards.
The children’s individual constellations and their names would then be displayed together on a large classroom night-sky display.
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I would use the “Draw Your Own Constellation” activity with my First Class pupils as I think it would be a lovely way to introduce the idea of stars, constellations and patterns in the night sky. I would begin by reading How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers. I think this would be a great story to capture the children’s imagination and get them thinking about stars and what they might look like up close.
After reading the story, I would ask the children what they already know about stars and what they notice when they look at the night sky. We could look at some photographs of stars and simple constellations and talk about how people have imagined shapes and pictures by joining stars together.
I would then give the children the opportunity to create their own constellation. They could draw their stars, join them together, give their constellation a name and create a short story about what their shape represents. The children could then share their constellation with the class and explain how they came up with their idea.
I think this activity would work particularly well with First Class because it combines science, creativity, language and numeracy. The children could count the stars in their constellation, compare their designs and talk about the shapes they have created. They could also use a digital drawing tool or take a photograph of their finished work and record themselves explaining it.
I like that the activity allows the children to use their imagination while learning about stars and constellations. Starting with How to Catch a Star would make the topic accessible and engaging, while the inquiry activity would encourage the children to ask questions, make observations, be creative and share their own ideas.
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I would like to do the activity from Esero called ‘lots and lots of stars’, partly because I am fascinated myself by the number of stars! I think this lesson gives a broad scope for all children to be included. The opening discussion is open ended, to an extent, and allows the children to really explore what they know about stars. I really like the idea of using the marbles in growing quantities to give the children a visual idea. I love the cross curricular aspect of the lesson too. Using art in a fun and interesting way, but yet giving the children a good inside into the concept of the large number of stars in the sky. The picture for discussion at the end is a nice conclusion to the lesson. They can compare the picture to their own creations and also to the night sky they say each night.
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Space and aliens activities: sensory play
A great way to engage young children when learning about space and aliens is through sensory play. It provides plenty of opportunities for developing oral language ,fine motor and early numeracy skills while enhancing communication skills. Children enjoy exploring the various materials used and it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
I would begin with the story Aliens Love Underpants, always a firm favourite. After reading the story together we would then focus on the aliens and what they look like. Using playdoh I would get the children to make their own alien using a variety of materials, googly eyes, buttons, feathers, pipe cleaners etc , bringing in some early numeracy skills by asking for example.. “how many eyes will she have? will you give him one nose or two?”
Then the children can bring their aliens to space, which will be a large container with either black beans or dyed salt\sugar. You can use a variety of materials that don’t cost much to enhance your sensory bin for example using tinfoil to make meteors, painting stones, picking up small space themed toys from charity shops. Adding other items like containers, spoons will encourage the children to fill, pour, empty which will strengthen their fine motor skills and develop language skills. This sensory rich activity not only provide lots of fun but also many learning opportunities.
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Lovely ideas Elaine regarding the play doh aliens and the sensory element of bringing them to space. Open-ended art activities always go down a treat and add an element of playfulness. In the past I have also used rice, lentils, weetabix and other inexpensive materials to create sensory experiences too.
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Hi Elaine,
This sounds fab! I find model magic in addition to or instead of play dough to be really useful when doing activities like this. For inspiration for what aliens might look like it can be useful to look at creatures on earth living in extreme environments .
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Hi Elaine,
<div class=”” data-turn-id-container=”33368959-8b39-427f-90de-62ca6b242308″ data-is-intersecting=”true”>I really like this idea, especially using Aliens Love Underpants as a starting point! The sensory play would be such a fun way for younger children to explore the topic while developing oral language and early maths skills at the same time. I also love that the activity uses simple, inexpensive materials and could easily be adapted depending on what is available in the classroom.</div>
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I would like to do the activity Special Life – Life in Space with my class. I would introduce life on earth with the story “Here We Are” by Oliver Jeffers. It is a really nice way to open the idea of all the different elements and things that are found on planet earth. I would encourage the children to think of an animal on planet earth that is special to them. The children would be introduced to an alien who has never heard of these animals before. They must illustrate their animal before acting out how their animal walks, moves or sounds. The other children must help their new alien friend to identify the animal in question. As a class, the children would brainstorm about aliens and what they could look like. They would then use their imagination to create a drawing of their alien. Linking with literacy they could write a short description of their alien and what they enjoy doing. This activity could also work across different art strands such as clay, fabric and fibre or construction. Using a range of materials the children could bring their alien ‘to life’ in further lessons.
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I would use the Activity Set: Stars in my primary classroom to develop pupils’ curiosity and understanding of space through inquiry-based learning. I think this activity would be particularly engaging for children because stars are something they can observe in the night sky, making the learning feel relevant to their everyday lives. I would begin by asking pupils what they already know about stars and what questions they have about them. This would allow me to identify their prior knowledge and encourage them to think like young scientists.
I would then allow pupils to investigate questions such as why stars appear to twinkle, why some stars look brighter than others, and whether all stars are the same. Pupils could work in small groups to research their questions, record their findings and present them to the class. I could also incorporate technology by using a digital planetarium or star-gazing app to allow pupils to explore constellations and identify stars that may be difficult to see from Ireland.
This activity would support the development of questioning, collaboration, communication and critical-thinking skills while also linking with the SESE Science curriculum. Most importantly, it would encourage pupils to be curious about the world beyond Earth and recognise that science involves asking questions, investigating and developing explanations based on evidence.
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I would use the Activity Set: Stars in my primary classroom to develop pupils’ curiosity and understanding of space through inquiry-based learning. I think this activity would be particularly engaging for children because stars are something they can observe in the night sky, making the learning feel relevant to their everyday lives. I would begin by asking pupils what they already know about stars and what questions they have about them. This would allow me to identify their prior knowledge and encourage them to think like young scientists.
I would then allow pupils to investigate questions such as why stars appear to twinkle, why some stars look brighter than others, and whether all stars are the same. Pupils could work in small groups to research their questions, record their findings and present them to the class. I could also incorporate technology by using a digital planetarium or star-gazing app to allow pupils to explore constellations and identify stars that may be difficult to see from Ireland.
This activity would support the development of questioning, collaboration, communication and critical-thinking skills while also linking with the SESE Science curriculum. Most importantly, it would encourage pupils to be curious about the world beyond Earth and recognise that science involves asking questions, investigating and developing explanations based on evidence
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For an infant class I would use the ‘Stars activity’ as part of a space-themed project. Young children are naturally fascinated by the night sky, making this an engaging topic that encourages curiosity and imagination and a great conversation starter.
To introduce the topic, I would read The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson. We would discuss the story and talk about the different planets, stars, and space settings featured in the book. This would provide a fun and engaging context for exploring the night sky.
Following the story, the children would create their own night sky picture using black paper and materials such as paint, chalk, glitter, or star stickers. To extend it I would show them simple constellations and their names which some might like to copy. They could arrange their stars into a simple pattern and talk about what their pattern looks like. The completed artwork could then be displayed together to create a class night sky, celebrating the children’s creativity and interest in space.
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Activity Set – Space and Aliens: Create an Alien
This activity will be carried out in pairs.
I will begin the lesson by reading The Smeds and The Smoos by Julia Donaldson to the children. Following the story, we will have an oral discussion about what the children think an alien might look like. We will explore questions such as: How many arms, legs, eyes and heads might an alien have? Would it have a nose, and what might it look like? What colours could it be? Would it have spots, stripes, spikes, fur or scales? Would it have skin? Would it wear clothes?
The children will then return to their tables and work with their partners to discuss and decide what they would like their alien to look like. They will also discuss how they could create their alien in 3D, thinking about which materials and techniques might work best for their design. They will have access to a variety of materials, including playdough, marla, clay, wire, tinfoil, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, felt, paper, fabric and wool, as well as any other suitable resources they would like to use.
Once they have agreed on their ideas, the children will sketch and design their alien on paper. They will consider its different features, colours, textures and how these could be represented using 3D materials. -
I would use the Stars activity with my class as I think children are naturally curious about stars and the night sky. I would begin by asking the children what they already know about stars and what they think stars are. We could talk about what they can see in the sky at night and make some predictions.
I would then show them some pictures of the night sky and allow them to look closely at the different stars. We could talk about why some stars look brighter than others and whether they think all stars are the same. I would also use a simple star activity where the children could make their own star patterns or constellations. They could use black paper and chalk or paint to create their own night sky.
I think this would be a good inquiry-based activity because the children would be asking questions, making observations and sharing their ideas. We could also use the interactive whiteboard to explore the night sky. I would take photographs of their work and keep them as a digital record of the activity. -
I would choose the Stars activity and adapt the constellation activity to suit Junior and Senior Infants. I think creating constellations using paper, string and tin foil would be possible for them to do instead of adapting to straws. We could choose a simple constellation like the Big Dipper and use black paper as the night sky. They could place small pieces of tin foil to represent the stars and use string to join the stars together to create the constellation.
For Junior Infants, I would keep the constellations very simple with only a small number of stars and short pieces of string. Rather than expecting children to measure accurately, I would have pre-cut lengths of string. For Senior Infants, I would introduce simple measuring with a ruler and let the children measure and cut the string with support.
I would explain that the distances on our models are not the real distances between stars. The focus would be on recognising patterns, measuring and developing an understanding that people have connected stars to make recognisable shapes called constellations.
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The activity set I choose is :Space and Aliens, Special Life.
I would start my lesson by reading the book: “There’s an alien in your book” by Tom Fletcher. I think the children would love this book as it’s very interactive and get all the children involved. We would then have a class discussion on our thoughts about aliens.
I would then ask the children what they think an alien would look like and how they would make their own alien look.
Each child would be given a sheet of paper and drawing/colouring materials to create their own alien.
The children would then present these creations to the rest of the class explaining why their alien looks like they do.
To integrate maths we would count up how many eyes/legs etc each alien has. How many children coloured their alien green/red etc..
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I would use the Space and Aliens activity in my junior infant classroom. I really enjoyed this module as it showed how the topic of aliens can be integrated into the curriculum. Last year, when I was teaching Junior Infants, the first thing they wanted to talk about when I mentioned space was aliens, and I didn’t know how to incorporate the topic into the curriculum.
I would use the storybook ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ to introduce the topic. I read this story with my class last year and they loved it. I would then use the knowledge from the previous lessons on planets to ask the children which planet they think the aliens come from. The children will then be given a range of materials, such as playdough, the junk art box, paper, and colours, to create an alien/martian for a planet. For a digital literacy aspect, they could use the sketch app on iPads to design an alien, but we currently don’t use iPads with our infants.
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I would use the Stars activity in my classroom as an engaging way to introduce students to space, observation, and scientific thinking. I think this activity would be especially useful because students are naturally curious about the night sky and can connect the lesson to things they may have already seen or wondered about. I would begin by asking students what they know about stars and what questions they have about them. This would allow me to assess their prior knowledge and encourage them to share their ideas.
During the activity, I would give students opportunities to observe, explore, discuss, and record their thinking. Students could work together to identify patterns, make observations, and create representations of what they learned. I would encourage them to ask questions and explain their reasoning rather than focusing only on finding the “right” answer.
I would also use digital photos or student work as documentation of their learning. At the end, students could share what surprised them or something new they discovered. Overall, I think the Stars activity would create an interactive learning experience while developing students’ curiosity, communication, observation, and critical-thinking skills.
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One activity from this module that I would use in my classroom is the “Create an Alien” activity. I think this would be a fun activity for younger children as it allows them to use their imagination while also learning about space. It could also be used across a number of different subjects, which would make it a useful activity in the classroom.
I would begin by talking to the children about aliens and asking them what they think an alien might look like. I would show them some examples and encourage them to come up with their own ideas. The children could then design and draw their own alien, thinking about things such as how many eyes, arms or legs it might have and what kind of planet it could live on.
I would encourage the children to explain their alien to the rest of the class and talk about why they chose certain features. They could also give their alien a name and write a few sentences about it. I think this activity would help children develop their creativity, communication and language skills while also encouraging them to be curious about space. It would be a simple but enjoyable way to introduce the topic of space and aliens in the classroom.
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This lesson would work well in my junior classroom because it encourages imagination, creativity, and communication. I would begin by discussing Earth and space in simple language, encouraging the children to share ideas about what makes our world special. The drawing activity would allow every child to express their own ideas, while the drama element would build confidence, listening skills, and turn-taking. Acting out their drawings would be enjoyable and promote language development as children describe and guess each other’s ideas. The alien drawing activity would further develop creativity and curiosity, helping children understand that space is still full of mysteries and possibilities.
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I would focus on the activity Special Life as I will be teaching junior and senior infants and I feel that it is a very accessible lesson for that age group have a high level of engagement.I would start with story Aliens Love Underpants either on whiteboard as read aloud or in Big Book format,using the images to assess childrens thoughts on the idea of aliens.Then we would focus on reasons an alien might visit our planet.Using think-pair-square children will share what it is they love about living on our planet and what they would like to share with a visiting alien.Then we might workin pairs ,one child as alien and other child telling them about for e.g. what a rose is and why it is special,then they could swap over. As a conclusion children could use clay to create a mode3l of their own imagined alien. This activity offers great opportunities for cross curricular links/integration in art,oral language,drama and maths. I have previously used a maths page from Busy at Maths Infants (P.C.M.s sheet) with aliens on it, that I have laminated and used as a fine motor and counting activity that would be perfect with this lesson.
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Hi Dolores,
I really enjoyed reading your post. I think this would be a lovely activity for infants, especially using Aliens Love Underpants to capture their attention and encourage discussion. I really like the think-pair-square approach as it gives every child an opportunity to share their ideas. The role-play activity sounds like great fun too, and I love the idea of finishing with the children creating their own aliens using clay.
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The activity set would use with my first class would be stars. I would introduce this topic with a gripping activity to immediately capture the children’s attention. I would use our class puppet, Murph, who could arrive in the classroom carrying a small box filled with star-shaped objects and explain that he has been looking up at the night sky but has lots of questions about the stars. I would ask the children to become “Space Detectives” and help Murph find out more. This would encourage the children to share what they already know and come up with questions of their own.
I would then use station teaching to allow the children to investigate different facts about stars. The stations could include photographs, short information passages, videos on iPads and activities where the children match facts or images. This would allow them to explore the topic in different ways and work collaboratively.
Following the station work, I would bring the class together for some whole-class teaching on constellations. We could look at familiar constellations and discuss how people have created pictures and stories from groups of stars. The children could then design their own constellation and explain what they think it represents.
To finish the activity, I would have the children make a star lantern. This would provide a creative, hands-on way to consolidate their learning. They could decorate their lantern with stars or their own constellation and then use it to create a “night sky” display in the classroom.
I think this activity would provide great opportunities for integration across Science, Art, Literacy and ICT. The children could record new facts in their Science journals, write a short story about their constellation and use photographs or videos to document their learning. This combination of inquiry, collaboration and creativity would make the learning about stars meaningful and memorable for the children.
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I would choose the Stars activity set, particularly the Draw Your Own Constellation activity. The module includes a number of hands-on activities around stars and constellations, including making the Plough, exploring constellation shapes and stories, and creating your own constellation. I think this would work really well with 6th Class because it combines Science with creativity and imagination. I would begin by exploring some well-known constellations with the class and discussing how people have identified shapes and created stories around groups of stars. Pupils could then work individually or in pairs to look at a random arrangement of stars and decide what shape or image they can see. They would connect the stars to create their own constellation, give it a name and write a short story explaining its meaning. The module provides a specific template for this activity, which would make it very easy to introduce in class.
I would then have pupils present their constellation to the class and explain the thinking behind their design. This could also be extended digitally, with pupils recreating their constellation on their Chromebooks and adding it to a class slideshow. I particularly like this activity because there is no single correct answer, so every pupil can participate successfully. It combines scientific learning with creativity, communication and spatial awareness, while still allowing pupils to explore stars and constellations in an enjoyable way. The module also highlights links between STEM activities and both Maths and Science skills, which I think this activity could support really naturally.-
I really like your point Aisling on the fact that doing the constellations activity means that you’re allowing for differentiation . There is no right or wrong answer when the children themselves are creating them and gives every child a chance to feel success. It’s a lovely idea to have each one on a class slideshow which could be presented to other classes or at a school assembly.
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Next year I will be teaching senior infants and I think teaching about stars will be much more interesting after completing this module. It’s great to have practical examples of simple lessons and activities to use in the coming year. I would start showing the class a set of showing the class a set of 5 marbles and discussing if they think there are more stars I. The sky than there are marbles in the jar. We would develop this by asking are there more stars in the sky than children in the class. Then placing an Equal number of marbles to the childrenin the class in a separate jar and ecolaing that there are even more stars in the sky than marbles in this jar. We would continue our investigations using videos and pictures to explain that stars give off light and can be seen during the night when not cloudy and that the sun is a star. We would tie this into visual arts by creating s painting of a sky fill of stars using a splatter painting technique. I think that s class of senior infants would enjoy this simple and clear approach. We would finish by discussing what the class might like to learn sbou t stars next.
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I would use the activity set on stars.
I would begin by using childrens natural curiousity to develop a deeper understanding of the mystical lights in the sky. I would start with questions such as “what do you notice, what do you wonder” using a video of stars and consellations. I would ask questions such as “when do we see stars, what colour are they, are they big or small” I would use a KWL chart to record their exisiting knowledge, ideas and also some misconceptions.As the main activity, we could delve deeper into constellations. I would begin by explaining that constellations are like patterns in the sky. We could explore familiar constellations, look at their shapes, question how they got their name. I would focus on the big dipper, little bear & orion. The children could then create their own constellations using chalk, star stickers and black paper and name them to present to the class.
As a follow up activity the children could record some stargazing activities at home using see saw.
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I have chosen to use the “Design a Martian” investigation with my class. I think this investigation would suit a junior class very well. I would begin the lesson by introducing the topic of Aliens to the class through the use of “Aliens love Underpants” as a stimulus. I would then invite the children to take part in a whole class discussion based on Aliens – “What might they look like?” “Where might they live?” “How do they communicate with one another?” etc. This would allow children to use their imagination, share their ideas and listen to what their classmates think. After the whole class discussion, children would get the opportunity to design their own alien using a range of materials including paper, crayons, paint or playdough. They would decide how many eyes, arms or legs their alien has and choose its colours. When they are finished, I would give each child the opportunity to present their alien to the class and do a Q and A based on their creation.
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I would use the activity set; stars for my class.
As I am teaching second class next year I think that maybe using Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting may be a good stimulus or introduction to the children to spark their interest in the night sky. We could discuss as a class what’s up there, what we see at night and what they already know about the stars. This could be taken down on a class KWL chart.
We could then do a class investigation using our Ipad time on stars brightness, where they appear and why. Delving deeper into constellations. They could each research a constellation and present facts about their chosen one to the class. This could be a great space for student led and peer led learning.
The children could then create their own ‘Starry Night’ during art – drawing a constellation that they have learned about during our lesson or creating one from their own imagination.
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Activity Set – Space and Aliens
I have chosen the Space and Aliens activity set, focusing on the Design a Martian task from the Mars Classroom Resource Booklet. I plan to adapt this activity for my group by integrating it with Maths (2D Shapes) and Science (Living Things & Habitats).
I would prompt discussion and engage interest with open questions about what Mars would be like to live on, and how a creature would survive on Mars. Students would then draw their ‘martians’ using 2D shapes, before constructing their alien using play doh, fabric, junk art or clay. Students would record how many of each 2D shape they used and notice the 2D shapes that their peers used in their design, and we would have a guided reflective discussion of each alien. -
For 2nd class, I would explore space and aliens through a creative investigation where the children design an alien. I would begin by asking, “If life existed on another planet, what do you think it might look like?” We would discuss how planets have different conditions and how this might affect what an alien could look like. The children would draw and label their ideas, thinking about features such as the number of eyes, legs, size and colour, and why their alien might need these features. I would then challenge them to create a 3D alien using recyclable materials such as cardboard tubes, boxes, bottle tops, yoghurt pots and foil. This activity allows the children to be imaginative while developing their STEM skills in a fun and meaningful way. They could present their aliens to the class and explain how their design would help their alien survive on its planet.
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That sounds like a gorgeous book! I had forgotten about Laura’s Star. It would be a lovely way to introduce the topic of stars while also exploring friendship, loneliness and caring for others. It offers great opportunities for discussion, creative writing and drama, creating a meaningful link between Science, English and SPHE. I will definitely keep it in mind—thank you for the suggestion!
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Reflective Forum Post – Space and Aliens Activity
I would use the Space and Aliens activity with my class as it combines scientific exploration with imaginative play. Young children are naturally fascinated by space, making this an engaging way to introduce simple scientific concepts while encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
To begin read a story such as ALIENS LOVE uNDERPANTS, I would invite the children to discuss what they already know about space and whether they think aliens exist. This would encourage questioning, prediction and respectful discussion of different ideas. We would then complete the activity, allowing the children to imagine what an alien might look like and consider how it would survive in space or on another planet.
As a follow-up activity, the children could design and create their own aliens using a variety of art materials before working in pairs to describe their alien’s appearance, habitat and special abilities. This would develop oral language skills and encourage creativity. Small world play, construction materials and role-play could then be provided so the children could build rockets, space stations or imaginary planets, extending their learning through play.
The activity provides some opportunities for cross-curricular integration. It links with Science by encouraging observation, questioning and investigation, with Visual Arts through designing and creating aliens, with Oral Language through storytelling and discussion, and with Drama through role-play. .
Overall, I feel this activity would create a highly engaging and inclusive learning experience. It values children’s imagination while developing scientific thinking, communication and collaboration through meaningful, hands-on activities. I believe it would inspire curiosity about space while fostering confidence and enjoyment in learning. -
I love your idea to use the sand analogy to explain how many stars are in the universe! It is such a clever, tactile way to help young kids wrap their heads around an absolute mind-blowing concept.
<p data-path-to-node=”1″>The whole plan flows so naturally—starting with Peppa Pig to get them hooked, letting them draw their initial ideas, and then having them revisit those drawings after exploring the ESERO pictures is top-tier teaching. Plus, those DIY toilet roll star lanterns are going to be such a hit at home. You’re going to have a room full of wide-eyed, mini astronomers!</p> -
The Activity Set I would use with a class would be the Space and Aliens activity set. I would complete the Design a Martian investigation. I think this would suit both Junior and Senior Infant classes equally well.
I really like the book The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. I would read this book as an introduction and discuss the alien and the story with the children. Our starter question for the activity therefore would be what would an alien look like? The children could chat together to generate ideas. Each child could then make their own prediction by drawing what they thought an alien would look like. The children would then make their Martian by using 3D materials.
By showing their alien to other children and talking about its features the children will practice their oral language skills. Early math skills can be introduced through discussion of the alien features, for example, number of eyes, number of legs. Comparative language could be used, for example, taller, shorter, smaller, larger.
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Hi Denise.
I love that you’ve started the lesson with the book Aliens Love Underpants. Children alwasy enjoy this book , finding it amusing and enagaging! Creating aliens using art materials is something that the class would thoroughly enjoy while also developing oral language skills and using their imagination.
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Hi Denise
I really like this Space and Aliens lesson! It’s such a fun way to mix simple science with everyday play. Kids are already obsessed with space, so it instantly gets them excited to learn and solve problems.
<p data-path-to-node=”3″>Starting with a silly book like Aliens Love Underpants gets everyone talking, asking questions, and sharing cool ideas. Making their own craft aliens lets them practice speaking with partners, while building blocks and dress-up gear keep the hands-on fun going.</p>
<p data-path-to-node=”4″>It easily connects science, art, speaking, and drama. Overall, it’s an awesome, super engaging way to build kids’ confidence and teamwork!</p> -
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I really like the idea of using The Way Back Home as an introduction, as I think the children would really enjoy the story and it would get them thinking about what an alien might look like. I also like how you have linked the activity with maths and oral language, especially comparing the different aliens and talking about their features. It sounds like a really fun hands-on activity for Infants.
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I really like your idea of using The Way Back Home as an introduction to the Design a Martian activity. I think it would be a great way to encourage the children’s imagination and get them excited about creating their own aliens. I also like how you connect the activity to both oral language and early maths skills. Asking children to compare the different aliens using words such as taller, shorter, larger, and smaller is a fun way to develop their mathematical language naturally. It would also be interesting to see how different each child’s Martian is and hear them explain why they chose particular features. This activity seems like a great opportunity for creativity, communication, and learning through play.
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