[Deirdre Walsh]

Learning Outcome:
To introduce infants to the concept of space, planets, and the idea of aliens in a fun and imaginative way.
Introduction

I will get the children together n a circle and start by discussing space. I will ask questions like, “What do you think is in space?” and “Have you ever seen pictures of planets or stars?”
I will show pictures of planets and explain briefly that planets are in space and each one is different.
I will then read a storybook about aliens. A good example is “Aliens Love Underpants” by Claire Freedman.
After reading, I will ask the children questions about the story to spark their imagination, such as “What do you think aliens look like?” and “What would you do if you met an alien?”
Alien Craft Activity
I will give each child with a piece of construction paper, glue, googly eyes, and markers or crayons.
I will ask them to create their own alien by drawing a body and using googly eyes and other craft materials to decorate it. I will encourage them to give their alien a name and describe what their alien likes to do.
Space Adventure Song and Movement I will teach the children a simple song ‘Five Little Aliens’
The children will act out the song by pretending to fly like aliens in a spaceship and exploring planets.
Conclusion: The children will sit in a circle again and I will ask them to share their alien crafts.
I will ask each child to say one fun fact about their alien.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Collette I described a similar activity and would use a book also at the start of the lesson. I had forgot about the book The Day I Met My Shadow. This would be an ideal book for this topic and age group.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Activity: The Sun and Shadows
Learning Outcome: The children will be able to understand the concept of shadows and how they are formed by the Sun’s light.

Introduction:
I will introduce the concept of shadows by reading a storybook about shadows or discussing what they already know about shadows. I will explain that shadows are created when an object blocks light.
Exploration:
I will bring the children outside on a sunny day or to a well-lit area inside. I will show them my own shadow and move around to demonstrate how it changes shape and size.
Hands-On Activity:
I will give each child an object to explore shadows with. I will demonstrate how to place the object on the ground and observe its shadow.
I will encourage the children to move the objects around and notice how the shadows change when they move the object or when the angle of the light changes.
Shadow Tracing:
Using chalk (if outside) or tape (if inside), I will help the children trace the outlines of the shadows of their objects.
They can then colour in or decorate the traced shadows on the large sheets of paper.
Conclusion: The children will discuss what they observed. I will ask questions like:
What happens to the shadow when you move the object closer to the light?
What happens to the shadow when the light source is moved?
How do the shapes of the shadows compare to the shapes of the objects?
Shadow Dance
If time allows, the children will use their bodies to make different shadow shapes. They can try making animal shapes or other fun forms with their shadows.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Grace this is a lovely activity especially for infants. By using their teddy bears they are really engaged and interested in the lesson.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Hi, I’m Deirdre and I will be teaching SET in September with the junior end of the school.

My favourite Space fact is Venus which completes one rotation every 243 Earth days has the longest day of any planet in our solar system.

One inquiry based activity that I would use in my classroom is exploring the concept of floating and sinking.
Activity: Float or Sink?

Introduction:
Gather the children in a circle and introduce the activity. Show them the tub of water and the collection of objects. Ask them if they know what “floating” and “sinking” mean, demonstrating with a couple of objects.
Present each object one at a time and ask the children to predict whether they think it will float or sink. This encourages them to make guesses and engage with the concept.
Experimentation:
Each child will get a turn placing an object in the water. Encourage them to observe what happens.
Recording Results:
After each object is tested, help the children place a sticker or mark on the chart under “Float” or “Sink” corresponding to the object’s outcome.
Review the chart together, discussing any patterns they notice.
Conclusion:
Revision of the the activity by talking about why some objects float and others sink, introducing simple concepts like weight, density, and material properties.

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