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Hi Claire,
I really like your practical ideas of using construction and Lego to create a model for the classroom. This would really get all of the pupils engaged, including those that sometimes feel overwhelmed by written work or even discussions. The treasure game is also a great idea and I wouldn’t have thought of. I will definitely try this with my class next year.
<p data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”>For younger classes, describe how you would plan and conduct a lesson on map making and explain how you might incorporate some online tools such as Google maps or Geohive. </p>
For younger classes, I would plan a simple map-making lesson based on familiar places within the school grounds. I would begin by discussing what maps are, why we use them, and the different features they include, such as symbols, keys, and directions. The children would then explore the playground, identifying landmarks such as the entrance, trees, benches, garden, and play equipment. Working in small groups, they would create their own maps using symbols, colours, and a simple key. This hands-on activity would develop spatial awareness, observation skills, and geography vocabulary.
To extend the lesson, I would use Google Maps to compare the children’s maps with an aerial view of the school and surrounding area. We could also use Geohive to explore facts about our local area, such as population or county boundaries. This lesson integrates geography, maths, oral language, art, and digital skills while making map-making engaging, relevant, and meaningful for young learners.
Hi Alyson,
I love the idea of a STEM journal, suitable for all age groups. I’ll definitely try doing one this year. I love getting out with my class for nature walks so the journal will tie in nicely with that.
If I were teaching a lesson on mirrors, lenses and telescopes to a primary school class, I would begin by asking the children what they already know about mirrors, magnifying glasses and telescopes and encourage them to make predictions about how they think they work. The children would then work in small groups using mirrors, torches and magnifying glasses to investigate how light reflects and how lenses make objects appear bigger. I would encourage them to ask questions, share their ideas and record what they observed. As I teach in a school close to Birr Castle, I would use the Great Telescope as a real-life example to make the lesson more meaningful and relevant. We would discuss how the telescope helped scientists to study the night sky and why Birr is famous for its contribution to astronomy. I would organise a visit to Birr Castle so that the children could see the telescope for themselves and make links between what they had investigated in the classroom and an important landmark in their own community. Throughout the lesson I would guide the children with questions rather than simply giving them the answers, helping them to develop their scientific skills of observing, predicting, investigating and communicating. I feel this approach would encourage curiosity and help the children to see that science is all around them and is closely connected to their own local environment.
