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Rockets
Learning Intention:
1. Understand the basic principles of rockets
2. Explore the history of space travel.
3. Encourage creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.Hands-on Rocket Launch Experiment:
Students will build and launch simple rockets to understand propulsion.What we will need:
1. Baking soda and vinegar
2. Plastic bottles, paper, tape, and straws
3. Measuring cups, safety goggles
4 Space Week posters and worksheetsLesson:
1. Introduction
Show a short video about rockets and space travel.
Discuss famous rockets and astronauts.2. Hands-On Rocket Building
Divide students into small groups.
Provide instructions for building a simple rocket
Encourage creativity—decorating rockets to make them unique.3. Rocket Launch Experiment
Go outside for a safe launch.
Each group launches their rocket and records distance traveled.
Discuss which design elements helped the rocket go farther or stay stable.4 Reflection
Students draw and label their rockets in their science journals.
Link to real-world space explorationExtension Activities:
Maths: Measure rocket flight distances.
Sequence Activity: put the pictures in order of how the rocket launched
Art/STEAM integration: Build a cardboard space station
Julia Donaldson’s “Jonty Gentoo – The Adventures of a Penguin” is such a wonderful book and great for kids.
In first class, learning is best when we can see, touch, and explore! Young children understand the world around them by playing, experimenting, and using their senses. Hands-on activities help little ones build their fine motor skills, spark curiosity, and make tricky ideas easier to understand.
For our hands-on activity about animals in cold places, I set up a keep the ice cold experiment in class. I gave the children small ice cubes and different materials like cotton balls, foil, and fabric to see which ones would keep the ice from melting the longest. The children predicted which materials would work best and then tested them. They observed the ice slowly melting and talked about why some insulation kept it cold longer.
After the experiment, we discussed how animals, like polar bears and penguins, have thick fur, fat, or huddle together to stay warm in icy places. This helped the children connect what they observed in the experiment to real-life animals. The activity supported scientific skills like making predictions, observing, and sharing ideas.
Next, I plan to link it to a STEM-focused project by creating a simple class chart showing which materials worked best, helping children see patterns and practice early data skills.
lesson: Stars
Learning intentions:
1.To understand what stars are and why we see them in the night sky.
2. To introduce the concept of constellations.Success Criteria:
1. Children can identify stars as distant suns.
2. Children can name one or two simple constellations.
3. Children can make observations about the night sky.What we will need:
1. Pictures or slides of the night sky and constellations
2. Flashlights or small torches
3. Digital device for recording observationsLesson:
Lesson Steps:1. Introduction
Questions: Have you ever looked at the stars at night?
Show a picture of the night sky. Discuss:
Stars are huge balls of burning gas far away.
Some stars form patterns called constellations.2. Exploration Activity
Darken the room slightly or use a box with holes to simulate stars.
Give children star stickers to place on a large paper to make their own constellations.3. Observation
Show pictures of simple constellations
Discuss how people long ago used stars for navigation and stories.
Children can describe what shapes or patterns they see in the sky.4. Reflection
Children share their constellations with a partner or the class.
Record reflections digitally by taking photos
Children can say one sentence about their favorite star or constellation.5. Conclusion
Recap: stars are suns, constellations are patterns, and stars help us learn about space.
Hi Lorna,
I have never heard of the above book and have just had a look to see it online. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I am going to introduce this to my class this year when teaching the planets.
Lesson: Planets
To introduce children to the planets of the solar system in an engaging, cross-curricular.
Learning Intention:
1. Identify the eight planets of the solar system.
2. Describe one or two key facts about each planets.
3. Demonstrate understanding of orbit and rotation through movement activities.
4. Express creativity through art and drama activities related to planets.What we need:
1. Pictures or posters of the eight planets and the Sun
2. Hoops, mats, or floor markers for PE activities
3. Art materials: paints, pastels, collage paper, glue, scissors
4. Music: a simple planet songLesson:
1. Introduction / Circle Time
Begin with a question, What planet do we live on? and encourage discussion.
Introduce the eight planets in order from the Sun.
Show pictures of each planet to engage visual learners and spark curiosity.2. Music Activity
Teach a simple planet song
Include actions or body percussion to reinforce memory and sequence.
Encourage children to sing along and perform actions as they learn.3. Drama Activity
Assign each child/group a planet.
Get them to act out some facts about the planets.
Introduce scenarios like ‘the Sun is shining move your planet closer or further away’ to build imaginative play.4. Art Activity
Children create their own planet using paints, pastels, or collage.
Encourage them to choose colours and patterns that represent their planet’s unique characteristics.
Display their planets around a large paper Sun to create a visual classroom solar system.5. PE Activity / Planet Game
Place hoops or floor markers around the hall to represent each planet.
Call out planet names and have children move to the correct one using different movements (jump, skip, tiptoe, run).
Children practise orbiting their planet around the Sun by walking or jogging in a circle.
Integrate spatial language, Stand behind your planet, Sit next to Mars, Orbit the Sun clockwise.Plenary:
Ask them to share one interesting fact about their planet or what they enjoyed most.
Recap the order of planets and revisit the song or chant to consolidate learning.Kate I totally agree with you. Floating and sinking activities are a winner for kids especially the junior end of the school and yes the warmer weather also is perfect for doing this activity as it can be donwe outside.
Hello everyone!
My name is Emma, and I teach 1st Class in Kilrane NS. I’m excited to be part of this course and to bring what I can to the classroom this year. I love to learn from other teachers who share a passion for sparking curiosity and wonder in the classroom, especially when it comes to space!Here’s one of my favourite space facts:
There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.When teaching space to 1st class, I would use an inquiry based activity around the question, “Why can we only see part of the Moon sometimes?”
Instead of beginning with a fact, I would give children a simple hands-on task using a torch, which represents the sun and small balls, representing the moon. Working in pairs or small groups, they would shine the torch on the Moon and move it around themselves to see how different parts light up.
At this age, inquiry works best when it is active and visual. I would encourage the children to ask questions, make predictions, and talk about what they see. For example, What happens if I turn the ball this way? or Why is only one side bright? My role would be to guide them with prompts and celebrate their discoveries.
I think inquiry based learning is powerful for younger learners because it makes space feel exciting, hands-on, and accessible, while also encouraging curiosity and collaborative learning.
It is the same in out little village in Kilmore Quay. They also use selective fishing gear and the local fisheries follow EU quotas and regulations to avoid overfishing.
Caring for the environment starts with small actions that people in our community do every day. For example, many families recycle their waste, help to keep local parks and streets clean, and buy produce from nearby farms. These simple habits not only protect nature but also encourage healthier lifestyles and create a safer, more sustainable place to live.
For pupils, seeing these efforts first-hand can be very powerful. I would plan local trips such as visits to recycling centres, nearby farms, beaches, and community parks. Experiences like these help children connect what they learn in school with real-life examples of environmental care. They can see how they can all play a role in keeping the planet clean and safe.
Inside the classroom, children could take part in activities that make environmental care part of their daily learning.in our school we plant vegetables and care for them in a school garden which gives them a sense of responsibility and shows them how living things grow. We sort out classroom recycling and this helps them understand the importance of reducing waste. Lessons on saving energy like turning off unused lights or conserving water can also make pupils more aware of their own impact.
These experiences link closely to the curriculum in subjects such as science, geography, and SESE. They also support broader skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility.
By engaging in these activities, pupils begin to realise that even small changes—like picking up litter, reusing items, or choosing to walk instead of drive—can have a positive effect on the environment. Most importantly, they develop pride in their community and an understanding that protecting the Earth is a shared responsibility. Learning these values at a young age prepares them to become environmentally responsible citizens who can contribute to a sustainable future.
I have a similar experience where I live. I live in a small fishing village where fishing is the main employment in the area and I really found an interest in the different types of fish and their benefits growing up.
I live in a small fishing village in south east Ireland and many people come form near and far for the fresh fish that is brought in from sea each day. There is nothing like fresh fish and the benefits it has to the human body. It helps us grow strong and stay healthy. Many fish are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, seafood also provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation. Reflecting on this, I realise how valuable it is to share this knowledge with pupils so they can make more informed food choices from a young age.
In the classroom, learning about seafood can be integrated into science lessons on nutrition, geography lessons, or even looking at cookery demonstrations where children can explore different ways of preparing fish. By linking nutritional information with real-life applications, children not only gain knowledge but also develop an appreciation for the cultural and environmental aspects of seafood consumption.
