[Ciara Hayden]

Content Activity chosen: Aliens

Special life: life in space

I think this activity has a lovely reflective aspect to it, and can help celebrate the unique ideas and creativity of each pupil.

When asked to consider meeting an alien, I would initially envoke their feelings about such an encounter, reassuring them that this is a positive and safe imaginary space we are going to visit, not to be feared.
When considering the responses of pupils, whether orally initially or subsequently in written or drawn media, it is important to respect the views of each individual response as to what they think is unique in their world. There could potentially be a wide variation here, and some very interesting responses.
A comparison with The Snowman book by Raymond Briggs would be beneficial here, to demonstrate that what might seem mondain to us, could be of interest to someone who has yet to have such an experience.
One example is cold, and the freezer for the snowman. Or the motor car -how normal it seems to us.
Further analysis for older pupils could involve potential dangers for visitors and safety warnings that would be required.

I would close this lesson with some quiet self-reflection of experiences that I am grateful to have had that others may not have, in a very broad sense.

[Ciara Hayden]

This is a great website to learn about  – thank you Frances for sharing it.  I have located my nearest one – so often near the coast – and will review how to use them before my next outdoor adventure.

[Ciara Hayden]

The use of an activity set in my classroom – The Planets

Continuing on from the musical theme I used in introducing the topic of space (Sound in space – Chris Hadfield singing in space, and showing clips of life in space). I like the use of music, song and movement in this activity set.
To begin with, students would sit in a circle on the floor, and I would facilitate a discussion based around their place within the wider world and solar system:

Question:
What is the name of the town where we live?
Do they know what country this town is in?
And what planet this country is on? On Earth.
Can they name any other planets?
Briefly talk about the names of the eight planets in our solar system

I would continue by introducing the names of the planets through this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-63Xx7jK26A

This is a simple and repetitive song listing the 8 planets by name, with a simple fact after each one. This song is appropriate for up to 2nd class.

With all names known, I would introduce the suggested song which gives some detail on each planet, again appropriate for 1st or 2nd class pupils.

The planet game and dance outlined in this activity set lend themselves to a nice bit of movement and a change of pace for the pupils. Some students are active learners and the activity using hula hoops rotating around gives an excellent representation of the rotation of the planets.

To close, I would review information the have gathered.

In the exploration stations outlined by another course member, I would invite children to create a visual representation of the solar system offering a variety of balls, spheres, morla, playdoh of differing sizes to open discussion and practical learning on the topic.

[Ciara Hayden]

Emma I love this idea of ‘Exploration Stations’ to start the day, based in science, but rooted in a book or story.  The children in first and second classes would welcome this investigative start to their day, and they would subsequently be in a learning mindset and ready to continue their day after a positive start.

[Ciara Hayden]

Hi all
My name is Ciara and I teach some very inquisitive boys in 1st and 2nd classes.
One of my favourite space facts is that in space, sound cannot travel because there is no air or other medium to carry sound waves. Astronauts can only hear music inside their spacecraft or through headphones.
I love sharing Chris Hadfield’s videos and songs from space with children.

Beginning with this topic of life in space, and specifically Music in Space, we discuss how astronauts listen to music inside the spacecraft.
I play a recording of music and ask students to imagine how it might feel to listen to their favorite songs while floating in space.
I then introduce the String Telephone, inviting the children to use plastic cups and string to create a simple string telephone. Subsequently, I let students experiment with speaking and listening through the cups to understand how sound travels through the string.
There is great chatter and engagement as they try to hear their partners across a busy room, or outside into yard if necessary. Advice is shared with each other on how to fix problems, or why one is functioning more successfully than another.

Finally I encourage students to ask more questions and think about other challenges and solutions for living and working in space, finishing up with some more clips of Chris Hadfield and the practicalities of life in space.

[Author]

Posts