[Barbara Sadlier]

I have often taught Rocket lessons with the older classes, so it has been really helpful to get some ideas on how to use these themes with the younger classes.

I would introduce the topic with some storytime incorporating the theme of aliens. Then I think I would use the stimulus of watching an ESA Rocket launch as shown in this module which would be a brilliant way to engage the younger students and peak their interest.

I would definitely use the Mouse Rocket lesson to start them off on their rocket launching journey and then possibly move on to making some fizzing rockets in small groups with adult supervision and possibly balloon rockets would also work in a small group setting. These are all fabulous ideas that would really engage the children and I’m sure lead to plenty of follow up discussions

[Barbara Sadlier]

S9me fabulous ideas here Sinead, thanks so much for sharing 😀

[Barbara Sadlier]

Hi Sharon,

I have used the dramatic play idea with my class before with Space as a theme and they absolutely loved it.

I do love your idea of a Space themed Sensory Bin and will certainly use it next year also.

Thanks.

[Barbara Sadlier]

The ‘What Clothes to Wear’ lesson would tie in nicely to the Materials lesson I focused in on earlier. In that lesson the children did further work on what materials would not soak up a spilt liquid to what material would be used to design a waterproof coat for teddy. Further work on this topic would lead to designing coats for the different types of weather we get here in Ireland.

We would discuss the practical uses for the coats depending on the type of weather we have chosen to design it for and this would lead to a lot of discussion on different materials and designs.

I like the way that this could also tie in with the lessons based on the polar bear and penguin and how they could argue over who would fall off the Earth because of where they are living (building a simple model of the Earth) and introducing the idea of gravity as a force.

We could talk about people living in warmer and colder climates also to extend this further and design clothes that would be suitable for their climates.

There is a lot to learn in this area about our planet and how where we live on it impacts out lives in different ways.

[Barbara Sadlier]

I might just steal your ideas for Aistear Aoife. They are three interesting stations that I think the children in my class would really enjoy and learn alot from.

[Barbara Sadlier]

I like the lesson Design a Martian. I feel like I will definitely use this lesson next year with my Infant class.

I would first ask the children to use their imaginations and draw what they think a Martian would look like. In groups I would ask the children to act out in small groups how their aliens might move and communicate with each other.

To extend this lesson the children could then use play doh to make 3d models of their Martians.

To link this lesson with Maths these 3d models could be used as concrete materials in the teaching of classifying, pattern and number work.

We would explore further the topic of aliens through reading stories about aliens and looking at artists’ impressions of aliens.

[Barbara Sadlier]

I like this idea aswell Aoife. I think it’s important for children to become familiar with the planets in our solar system From a young age. I like the song and visuals with this lesson too.

[Barbara Sadlier]

I will focus on the lesson Sun and Shadows here.

I would introduce the concept of shadows using a torch and toys for the children to see shadows forming and illicit from them that light is needed for this to happen.

Then I would split the class into two smaller groups with an adult to each group to explore two activities based on shadows in greater detail. The first activity would be the activity based on the bear’s shadow using the pond scene, toy bear and a torch…the children would explore how to manipulate the bear’s shadow using the torch and come to conclusions based on their findings.

The second activity would involve the children going outside to a sunny part of the yard and standing in a particular spot and an adult to draw around their shadow with chalk. This area of the yard would be revisited later on in the day and the child’s shadow would be drawn around again and this would illicit discussion around why the child’s shadow has moved.

As a whole class the children will then discuss their findings and we will draw conclusions around these findings.

To extend this lesson we could talk about UV light and sun safety and this would tie in nicely with SPHE.

[Barbara Sadlier]

Hi Sharon,

I really like this idea. It’s a fun and engaging way to introduce the topic. I will use this next year, thanks.

[Barbara Sadlier]

I really like the inquiry based activity on Materials in this module. I will use this with my Infant class in the first term next year. 

I would open with a spill as an introduction and discuss how we could clean it up. Then working in groups I would get the children to try out a few different materials to see how effective they are in soaking up the spill. I like the smiley faces worksheet as a way to record their findings.

I particularly like the scope this lesson gives for further investigation into what other uses materials can have, and if they are not good for one purpose what can they be used for eg: designing a waterproof coat for teddy. This gives plenty of scope for integration across the curriculum into the areas of Geography, Art aswell as Oral Language.

I look forward to working on this with my class.

[Barbara Sadlier]

Hi. I’m Barbara Sadlier and my favourite Space fact is that 68% of 3000 living  tardigrades survived 12 days in Earth’s orbit on the outside of a rocket. I love that further studies are being done on these little Earth dwellers’ ability to survive in Space.

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