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I love using stories to introducing new topics. We use comprehension strategies with symbols for predictions and making connections in order to engage children further.
I would use the Rockets activity set to introduce pupils to the exciting topic of space exploration while developing their scientific inquiry skills. I would begin by reading the picture book “Photos Taken from the Far Side of the Moon” to capture the children’s interest and encourage discussion about rockets, astronauts, and why humans explore space. This would provide a meaningful context for learning.
Using the WonderLab Rocket Mice experiment, pupils would first predict what they think will happen when the rocket is launched. They would explain their ideas and discuss what might make the rocket travel higher or farther. Next, pupils would conduct an investigation by launching the rocket mice, observing carefully, and recording their findings. They would compare the results with their predictions and discuss what they discovered about forces and motion.
As a next step, pupils could investigate how changing the size of the rocket, the amount of air, or the launch angle affects the distance travelled, encouraging further questioning, experimentation, and problem-solving.I think this is a really great lesson. Some pupils this year struggled with the weather change and breaking the routine of their usual clothes choices (school jumper and even a coat). We chose to carry out some activities as gaeilge to explore the idea of what clothes we should wear and when but the roleplay would have been a fun edition.
I would use the Animals in the Cold set as an inquiry-based science lesson to help children understand how animals adapt to cold environments through the Prompt–Wondering–Exploring framework.
Prompt: I would begin by showing pictures of a penguin and a polar bear and asking the children what they notice about these animals and where they think they live. We would discuss different types of weather and compare hot and cold climates.
Wondering: I would encourage pupils to ask questions such as, How do these animals stay warm? and Why don’t they get cold? Their ideas and predictions would be recorded before the investigation.
Exploring: Children would investigate how blubber, fur and feathers provide insulation by completing the Vaseline experiment. They would observe, predict, discuss results and relate their findings to animal adaptations. The lesson would conclude with pupils sharing what they learned and making connections to how humans keep warm in cold weather.Activity Set: the planets and the moon
How I would use the activity set in my classroom:
Introduction: We will begin by learning the planets song
Development: Create a brainstorm using coggle.
Activity: Day and night activity to introduce the idea of day and night and recreate the idea physically in the classroom using a globe and light: https://vimeo.com/187243102?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=26523391
Closing: We will complete our coggle brainstorm using what we learned
Extension Art activity: Meet our neighbour’s moon https://astroedu.iau.org/activities/meet-our-neighbours-moon/
We will us the following materials:
- A printed copy of the two attached PDF files: Moon Features and Moon Featurless
- Fabric, e.g. grey felt (for surface of Moon)
- Thick fabric (for different mountains)
- Thin fabric (for mare features)
- Curved sequins (for craters)
- Pen (to write on the fabric)
- Scissors and glue
To build a tactile version of the Moon using cheap, household items. We can use this model to identify the different tactile characteristics of our satellite. This cheap, tactile version of the moon is a great resource to explore lunar features for both visually impaired and normal vision students.
If pupils are struggling during the brainstorm or need extra inspiration, the following is a very good video to help.
Watch the video: Video about the moon: https://youtu.be/w4U_cuF-_hI , adding to the brainstorm throughout or at the end.
I love this idea. Teachers using classroom dojo would have lots of inspiration for design. It could be a nice way of introducing it as a classroom rewards system.
Activity Set: Stars:
Childrens understanding of stars and how many there are can be taught through the esero activity : lots and lots of stars.
How I would use the activity set in my classroom:Introduce the activity by asking how many stars there are.
Compare to the number of stars in a jar, how many in a classroom etc.Read the book:
“A hundred Billion Trillion stars” by Seth FishmanArts and creative activity: art spatter painting.
Additional Activity: Making the plough in two ways. Make a star pattern and look at it from two different directions in order to learn that what we see in the sky is only from our point of view. This activity uses early maths and mathematical/scientific language. This is a UNAWE activity about the constellations.
Draw own constellation using the space week resource.Extension Drama Activity: Esero 19 “Act it out.” Children can identify what they think is special about life and act it out.
Finish by drawing an alien!I love the read aloud stories too. My personal favourite is “A hundred billion trillion stars” by Seth Fishman.
Hi my nane is Ciara. Next year I will teach 3rd class. My favourite space based fact is that there are A hundred billion trillion stars. It comes from the book of the same name by Seth Fishman https://youtu.be/OtMoDq5Git0 . The link to the book is on the Space week junior pdf download as suggested in module 1.
How I would use one inquiry based activity in my classroom:
I really enjoyed the activity teaching all about finger prints shown in module 1.
The teacher holds up an empty jar to the class and they decide that the jellies have been stolen. The children need to investigate the mystery.
They study the various types of finger prints.
They study their own finder prints using a variety of methods (Sellotape and dark coloured paper, balloons and magnifying glasses) etc.
They then carry out an investigation as to finding the culprit.
It would be important to teach scientific language throughout and preteach vocabulary if necessary. As I am in a Gaelscoil, this would be essential. As in any class, there are a variety of needs and reading abilities. Assistive technology could be used to help read/write/understand challenging volabulary.
Chromebooks could be used to record finding throughout the investigation. This could be recorded on google classroom and shared with the teacher once pupils feel the crime has been solved. Google docs are live and can be edited throughout if pupils are collaborating and feel that they have been misled or made a mistake.