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Activity: Design and make a rocket
Curious minds have some great ideas. These are the ideas I have in mind for a first class.
Trigger: What are rockets? How do they work? What are they used for? Show class a video of a NASA rocket launch. Whole class discussion on the launch of the rocket into space.
Investigation: which item can fly the furthest in the air. Children in groups select items to test eg. foam javelins, balloons, paper etc. After the children have made predictions and given reasons to support their predictions we will discuss how we will make it a fair test.
Plan: After the investigation, the children in groups will start to plan their own rocket. Using different materials eg. milk carton, bottle or some of the previous tested materials, children will sketch their rocket with as many labels as possible.
Make- the children make their rockets in groups according to their plan.
Evaluate – the children test their rockets and evaluate what worked well? What can we improve? What did we see in another rocket that we also worked well?
I really like how the opportunities for subject integration and development of scientific skills have been presented.
I am looking forward to using the great tools in this module in the classroom next year.
Stellarium – I would use this software as a virtual planetarium. This is a wonderful tool for the classroom. The children would be very excited to see the night sky and point out star patterns, once they had been introduced to constellations previously. This could also be a very calming tool for the classroom with music playing also.
ESA Kids- is also an excellent tool for use in the classroom. I really liked the videos provided on the website especially the video which is the view of earth from an astronauts perspective. I would use the video to introduce the space theme to the class. ESA Kids could also be used for story time.Activity set: The Stars
Hook: Story- Can You See The Stars Tonight?
Introduction: Whole class Mind map – what do we know about stars.
Display a photo of a farmer ploughing a field for group discussion. What shape is the tool? Can we use geoboards and bands to create the shape?
Introducing constellations: display the constellations of the Leo and Draco without identifying them by name. Children in pairs/ groups name name the constellations. Background on constellations. How they get their name? Can you suggest a better name?Looking at a variety of items from different perspectives eg. A tree as we see it and a bird’s eye view, a leaf as we see it and an insect.
Photo/video of constellation of the plough.
Create the constellation with string, blue tack or with skewers and mini marshmallows.There are many different ways and materials that children can use to create star constellations. I think peg boards would work fantastically.
I have explored the planets with a junior infant class. The children always love learning about space. I love the story Whatever Next by Jill Murphy. There are also brilliant videos on YouTube to engage the children’s interest.
For Aistear, a space area is set up. The children in groups of 5 or 6 dress up as astronauts by putting on a space helmet and pretending to put on boots and space suit. They pack their freeze dried food made from play-doh and do the checks in the space shuttle before lift off. Each session, the children learn about a different planet of choice and watch pre downloaded video clips on iPads. The children then land the space craft safely and report back on the planet they have visited and there is some whole class discussion.
Towards the end of the lesson the children complete an Intergalactic passport and draw a picture of their favourite planet.
I really like the station ideas from another course participant of having other space related stations happening at the same time.I really like learning stations ideas all based on the moon. What fantastic and engaging ideas for infant classes. These activities could absolutely also be adapted for a first/second or even third class learning unit. Thanks for sharing!
Inquiry unit for an infant class that I really enjoyed teaching this year was investigating materials. We used the story of Paddington for stimulus and to engage the children’s interest.
Problem to solve: Paddington is going on a long journey to England. It is very rainy in England (in Ireland too) , how can we help Paddington keep his fur dry?
Introduction: we brainstormed the clothing that Paddington could wear. We spoke about and introduced the term ‘waterproof’.
Development: We tested to see if our coats and jackets were waterproof. We looked for the waterproof symbol on some clothing. We explored the materials that were best for keeping water/ rain out. Had we any materials in the classroom that would be good? Which materials should Paddington not wear if he wants to stay dry?
For art, we designed and made a coat for Paddington or a bear of choice.
Going further: Children brought in two items from home and we tested to see if they were waterproof.I love the hook of the lesson The Three Little Pigs. It is so helpful to have a thematic unit and a story for stimulus for science/art etc. I know infants would love this! Thank you for the fantastic ideas.
ÁineHi, I’m Áine. I have taught Junior Infants for the last two years and will be teaching lovely 1st class next year. My Junior Infants loved learning about Space. It’s one topic that always captured their imagination and I am always amazed at their knowledge and space related facts.
My favourite space fact is that one million Earths could fit inside the Sun.
