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I really like your idea of introducing the activity with an “alien egg.” It’s a fun way to spark the children’s curiosity and get them thinking before the investigation begins. I also like how you’ve included opportunities for the children to make predictions, work together and talk about what they observe. It sounds like a very engaging lesson that would make learning about solids, liquids and gases both fun and memorable.
The Balloon Rockets activity is an activity I think my infant class would really enjoy it. It is a simple, hands-on activity that would get the children excited about science.
– I would start by showing the class a balloon and asking them what they think will happen when I let the air out. I would encourage everyone to share their ideas before we tried it.
– We would then set up the balloon rocket together and watch it travel along the string.
– I would ask the children questions like, “Did it go fast or slow?” and “Do you think a bigger balloon would go further?”
– We could test different balloons and compare what happened. This would help the children see that we can learn by trying things out and talking about what we notice.The activity would give the children lots of opportunities to develop science skills such as observing, predicting and investigating. It would also link with maths as we compare which balloon travelled further and use words like longer, shorter, near and far. As a follow-up activity, the children could make and decorate their own rockets during art or use tinfoil printing to making space rocket scenes.
I would consolidate the learning by listening to their ideas, watching them work together and talking about what they noticed. I think this activity would be a lovely way to encourage curiosity and help the children see that science can be fun and part of their everyday learning.
A digital portfolio using pictures is a great engaging way or children to document their progress, I found with my infants this year they loved looking back on photos and it really sparked their memory and recall skills.
I chose the Investigating Children’s Coats activity because it is fun, practical and links to the children’s everyday lives. We would start by looking at different coats and talking about what we notice. The children would describe the colours, materials and different parts of the coats, such as zips, buttons and hoods. We would talk about when we wear different coats and why. Next, I would ask simple questions like, “Which coat will keep us dry?” and “Which coat will keep us warm?” The children would make a guess before we carried out a simple investigation. We would test different materials by putting a few drops of water on them to see which ones let the water through and which ones stayed dry. The children would watch carefully and talk about what they noticed.
The children would develop science skills such as observing, questioning, predicting and investigating. They would also practise listening, talking and working together. At the end of the lesson, the children would draw a coat for rainy or cold weather and tell the class why they chose certain materials or features.
I would assess the activity by watching the children as they worked, listening to their ideas during discussions, and looking at their drawings. I think this activity would help the children enjoy science while learning through play and exploring something that is familiar to them.The activity I chose to reflect on using in the classroom is The Planets and Planet Song activity set. As a Junior Infant teacher, this is something that I have experience in teaching as an engaging and interactive way to introduce children to the Solar System. I would begin the lesson by asking the children what they already know about space and the planets to build on their prior knowledge. We would then listen to and learn the Planet Song together. Music is an excellent way to support young children’s memory, and I believe the song would help them remember the names and order of the planets in a fun and meaningful way. Repetition during transitions and break times is a great way to learn songs.
Following the song, I would use pictures, models and simple facts about each planet to encourage discussion and develop scientific vocabulary. As an extension activity, the children could work in small groups to create colourful planet posters or make their own planets using paper plates, paint or clay. We could also create a classroom display of the Solar System, allowing children to revisit their learning throughout the topic.</p>
This activity supports inquiry-based learning by encouraging children to ask questions, explore new ideas and make connections between what they hear in the song and what they learn during class discussions. It also integrates Science with Music, Art and Oral Language, making the learning experience enjoyable and accessible for all children. I feel this activity would foster curiosity about space while developing communication, creativity and collaboration skills in an age-appropriate way. Overall, I believe the Planet Song is an effective starting point for introducing astronomy and inspiring children’s interest in the wider universe.I also used this story with my Junior Infants as a way of introducing space topics and they loved it!
Activity Set: Space and Aliens
For this reflective exercise, I chose the Space and ‘Create an Alien’ activity. This activity would be an excellent way to encourage children’s imagination and creativity thinking about life in space. I would begin by discussing the different environments and landscapes found on Earth: deserts, oceans and forests, and ask the children to identify what animals live in these different environments. This would lead into a discussion about whether life could exist on other planets and what an alien might need to survive in a completely different environment.
The children would then design and create their own alien using arts and crafts materials. As they create their alien, they would explain the purpose of its features, such as why it has large eyes, scaly skin or special feet. This encourages children to think critically and justify their ideas using simple scientific reasoning rather than creating an alien based only on imagination.I believe this activity supports inquiry-based learning because it encourages children to ask questions, predict, discuss and explain their thinking. It also provides valuable opportunities to integrate Science with Art, Oral Language, as children can present their creations and listen respectfully to the ideas of others. Reflecting on this activity, I think it is an enjoyable and inclusive way to develop creativity while helping children understand that living things have features that help them survive in different environments. It would also encourage curiosity about space and inspire further learning about our Solar System and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
I would agree this is a great engaging way to introduce students to the solar system and the fact that they can see the moon in real life makes it more relevant to every day life.
The activity I chose to reflect on using in the classroom is The Planets and Planet Song activity set. As a Junior Infant teacher, this is something that I have experience in teaching as an engaging and interactive way to introduce children to the Solar System. I would begin the lesson by asking the children what they already know about space and the planets to build on their prior knowledge. We would then listen to and learn the Planet Song together. Music is an excellent way to support young children’s memory, and I believe the song would help them remember the names and order of the planets in a fun and meaningful way. Repetition during transitions and break times is a great way to learn songs.</p>
<p class=”isSelectedEnd”>Following the song, I would use pictures, models and simple facts about each planet to encourage discussion and develop scientific vocabulary. As an extension activity, the children could work in small groups to create colourful planet posters or make their own planets using paper plates, paint or clay. We could also create a classroom display of the Solar System, allowing children to revisit their learning throughout the topic.</p>
This activity supports inquiry-based learning by encouraging children to ask questions, explore new ideas and make connections between what they hear in the song and what they learn during class discussions. It also integrates Science with Music, Art and Oral Language, making the learning experience enjoyable and accessible for all children. I feel this activity would foster curiosity about space while developing communication, creativity and collaboration skills in an age-appropriate way. Overall, I believe the Planet Song is an effective starting point for introducing astronomy and inspiring children’s interest in the wider universe.Reflective Piece:
Inquiry-based activities in junior classes are effective in allowing children to take an active role in their own learning. I would use a “What is in Space?” investigation, where children explore questions about planets, stars, and astronauts through discussion, books, videos, drawings, and hands-on activities. I would begin by writing the word space on the board and asking students what words they think of when they hear the word space. I would then present a question mark and write up questions that students have about space. Their questions would guide the direction of the activity and encourage curiosity and creativity.
Inquiry-based learning would help children develop problem-solving skills, communication, and confidence when sharing their ideas. It would also allow me to observe their interests and support learning through play. Rather than simply giving children information, I would act as a facilitator, encouraging them to investigate, explore, and discover answers together. This approach would create a meaningful and engaging learning experience.