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Lesson on Stars for infant level.
I would use the book ‘Can you see the stars tonight?’as a starting point and introduction of the topic on stars. We would discuss what we see in the sky at night – the moon and the stars.
Using the ‘ar’ sound as a starting point find words that rhyme with star / what word can you find in star?
Explain that a group of stars is called a constellation and these groups are given different names depending on their shape or pattern. Using peg boards, provide the children with images of some constellations that they have to try and copy. Alternatively, they can recreate the pictures using black sugar paper and cotton buds/pipe cleaners.
Discuss the difference between night and day. Using two hoopla hoops in the centre of the room – one for day and one for night. Provide the children with pictures which they then must decide are for the day / night hoop. As an extension piece, some pictures could be used in both brushing your teeth so the hoops may have to overlap.
Using nursery rhymes to consolidate their knowledge on stars ‘twinkle, twinkle’, ‘star light, star bright’.Hi Michelle,
this sounds like a fantastic lesson, it’s so creative and inclusive to all ages. Really good ideas to engage the students and also allows for integration to lots of subject areas.
The Planets – in infant level .
I would begin by asking the children if they know the names of any of the planets and the colour associated with each planet. I would then introduce the planets to the children in order of size, going from largest to smallest or vice versa. I use a mnemonic to help them remember the order of the planets – one being ‘my very educated easy method just speeds up naming planets’. I would then get them to draw the different planets using circles/rings around the sun. An alternative sensory activity is to use play dough (correct colours and sizes needed) and instead of colouring in the planets around the sun they can place the balls of play dough to represent the solar system.
An idea to finish off the activity is by singing the song ‘The Solar System’ to reinforce what was taught that day.The children love this activity and it is a great one to use to introduce infants to the idea of shadows with the added joy of being able to use chalk in the yard!
Hi Michelle,
Brian Cox has a real way with words and has some fascinating videos and clips based on space.
My space fun fact for the day is that sunset on Mars appears blue!
I will be teaching senior infants in September and one lesson that I find always gets their interest and imagination going is floating and sinking. They love predicting and then the opportunity to test items out for themselves. They often compare the floating items to themselves floating in the swimming pool! There is also scope then for the conversation to lead into water and different materials that might be waterproof or not which could be a lesson for another day!
