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I really like your rockets lesson. Showing a launch video is a great way to grab the children’s attention and spark discussion. I like how you have a hands-on element with the paper rockets and straw tests, and that the children get to experiment in groups. Recording and presenting their findings makes the activity really interactive and encourages problem-solving.
For Space Week I would definitely use the Rockets activity set because I know children love anything hands-on and exciting, and rockets are always a hit. I would start by having a chat with the class about what they already know about rockets and space travel. We could watch some short videos of rockets launching and talk about what makes them fly, using simple language about thrust and gravity.
Then I would split the class into small groups and let them plan and design their own model rockets using things like paper, straws, or balloons. The children could draw their design and think about how each part might affect how far or high their rocket flies.
After building the rockets, we would have a launch session either in the classroom or outside. The children would measure and record the results, discuss what worked best, and reflect on why. I think this activity combines science, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in a way that is really fun and memorable for primary children.
I love your hot and cold activity, it is so practical and easy for the children to relate to. The ice cube experiment is a brilliant way to spark predictions and curiosity. I especially like the movement game at the end, it keeps the lesson active and fun.
For this module I would go with a hands-on activity because I think children always engage so much better when they are actively involved. I feel this lesson would suit all classes at the junior end of the school as it is very easy to adapt to different levels.
I would choose the “What Clothes to Wear” lesson from the Weather activity set. To start, I would bring in a mix of clothes such as hats, shorts, jumpers, jeans and t shirts. The children would be invited to sort them into summer or spring and winter or autumn piles. I would ask them to explain why they placed each item where they did and encourage them to think about the materials and how that might affect the time of year they are worn.
Next, I would divide the class into four groups and give each group a season. They would design a piece of clothing for their season and then present it to the class, explaining their choices. I think this would make the lesson active, creative and a lovely way to link everyday experiences with seasonal change.
Hi James,
I really enjoyed reading your idea about creating a Martian with the junior classes. It sounds like such a fun way to get the children using their imagination while also linking in maths and science without them even realising it. I like how you included observation questions at the start to get them thinking about shapes, numbers and details. The modelling part will definitely keep them engaged and I think the follow-up discussion about what their alien needs to survive is a brilliant way of connecting it back to real life science. The communication element at the end is lovely too as it gives them a chance to share proudly what they have made. I think the children will absolutely love this lesson.
Activity set: Stars
One activity I would love to try with my class is making star lanterns using the resources from Spaceweek.ie. It is such a simple but really effective way to bring the night sky into the classroom.
I would start by chatting with the children about what they see when they look up at the sky at night. I would see if they know what constellations are and if not, explain what they are by showing pictures/videos of them. Then we could link this to stories about how people long ago made shapes and myths from the stars.
The children could design their own lanterns by cutting out constellation patterns and then adding little LED lights inside. When the lights are switched on the lanterns would glow and look just like the night sky. I think the children would be really proud of their creations and it would give us lots of opportunities to talk about why stars shine, why some look brighter, and how the sky changes across the year. It feels like a lovely mix of creativity and science and something that would work really well in a primary classroom.
Hi Orla,
I love this idea of exploring how seeds grow with 1st and 2nd class. It is so hands-on and really gets the children thinking about cause and effect. I like how you start with a paired discussion because it is a great way to get them talking and sharing ideas before diving in. Letting the children choose the seeds and observe them daily makes it really inquiry-based as they can test their own predictions and notice changes themselves. I also like the connections you make to basic needs and life cycles. Adding comparisons to different plants around the world is a lovely touch for extending their learning.
In my classroom, I would use an inquiry-based activity where the children explore a “mystery planet” to spark their curiosity about space. I would show them a picture or model of a planet they haven’t seen before and ask them to observe carefully and ask questions about it. They might wonder what it’s made of, if anything lives there, or what the weather is like. Then, in small groups, they could come up with ideas and try to find out the answers through books, videos, or safe online research. I would encourage them to record their observations and share their thoughts with the class. Afterwards, we could have a discussion about what they discovered and reflect on how asking questions helped them learn more. I believe this approach would make learning about space exciting, build teamwork, spark creativity, and help children feel proud of discovering things for themselves.
Hi everybody,
My name is Caoimhe and I am going into my second year of teaching.
I will be teaching 1st class this year.
My favourite space fact is that a day on Venus is actually longer than a year on Venus! This is because it takes 225 Earth days for Venus to rotate the Sun whereas it takes 243 days for Venus to spin once on its axis.
Hi Triona,
I really love this idea. I think that playing the song at the beginning of the lesson is a great idea to elicit prior knowledge! This will help you understand where the children are at and if they do know anything about the solar system.
This is something I will be trying in the new school year.
Activity: Spherical Earth.
I really like this activity because it’s fun, engaging, and teaches an important concept. I would use it to help children understand that the Earth is round and that gravity works the same no matter where you are. A lot of younger children often imagine the world as flat or wonder why people don’t fall off.
To help explain gravity, I’d use a simple role-play with a globe, a penguin at the South Pole, and a polar bear at the North Pole. The animals could ask each other why they don’t fall off. This would encourage the children to think about it and come up with their own ideas.
Since I have 1st class this year, I’d keep it very clear and simple. I’d explain that wherever they are on Earth, their feet always point down toward the ground. To make it more interactive, I’d ask the children to jump and notice how they always land back on the floor. This gives them a clear and easy way to understand how gravity works.
Hi Aine, I agree with you. The video was so impactful and also made me question my own carbon footprint.
I agree that by showing children some of these clips, they may also feel the same way and therefore try to reduce their carbon footprint.
The film ‘Home’ by Yann Arthus-Bertrand in Module three really struck me. It is a great video which offers a visual representation of climate change here on Earth. When I am teaching the topic of ‘climate change’ to my class in the new school year, I would show the children part of this video to give them an idea of climate change. The video has various important and interesting facts which are very beneficial and interesting for children to learn.
We will also investigate climate change activists such as Greta Thunberg, by introducing Greta Thunberg, the children may be able to see the issue of climate change from a different perspective with somebody that they may be able to relate to. We would watch Greta Thunbergs TED Talk.
We would measure our carbon footprints as brainstorm ways in which we can reduce it. We would have a class discussion on how we can reduce our carbon footprint both in the classroom and at home.
