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I would use the book The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield there is even a video of him reading his own book which I love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxoG6Eug7jI
I love using Chris Hadfield’s question and answer videos on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bCo
I used the book Aliens in Underpants save the World, here is a pic of my display this year. We used these books as inspiration to create aliens and rockets as seen in the image.
We used the book to write descriptive sentences- a colour, a size, a number, and a doing sentence about an alien.
I set up a role play area, we used Chris Hadfield videos to imagine life in space, how you brush your teeth, they loved the what food you eat in space video.
I also played this song before aistear so we could use the names of planets when we play. https://youtu.be/mQrlgH97v94
Racheal, thanks for sharing this, I could see the level of engagement for children would be high. Like how you incorporated the idea of a fair test as often this is something im guilty of not pointing out in younger classes.
I’ve added me themed corner to the thread. Children love when I set up a new role play area, adds fun, excitement and lots of playful learning can happen.
This was the themed corner I did for aistear.
I made a console using cardboard and printables from a well known teachers resource page. I using old sheep medicine canisters as jetpacks. I used a carseat for the rockets seat. To the right was the investigation station for the moon rocks, rocks or different shapes and sizes and tinfoil balls.
This was part of our aistear theme on Space. Children designed their own rockets or aliens using recyclable materials
Thanks for sharing these ideas Christine. They will be really helpful in my classroom, love how each day has a theme!
I choose Aliens and Space.
Here are some ideas I would or have used.
Role Play: Space rocket, i used black bags to black out an area, I used old sheep dosing containers and turned them upside down and attached straps as backpacks, I used some old keyboards and made a control panel. I used my child’s night projector. I used a high back booster seat as the rockets seat.
Sensory: we made moon sand
Creation Station: Create aliens from recyclable materials
Playdough: Use playdough and craft items such as googly eyes, buttons, matchsticks, pipe cleanerss to create aliens
Small world: I got a wooden rocket in Aldi
Literacy: Aliens in Underpants Save the World,
SESE
· Recognise the difference between day and night
· Recognise the differences between the streetscape during the day/night
· Identify and discuss the sun, the moon and stars within the context of night and day
· Recognise the difference between day and night
· Identify and discuss the sun, the moon and stars within the context of night and day
Art:paper plate aliens
P.E.:Space Walk and Alien Dance, Play music and children move like they are in space(slow, floating movements) and then like aliens (creative, silly movements)
Sensory: Create Alien Slime, make slime withglue, baking soda, saline solution, food colouring, glitter and some small alien toys.
Music: Alien Sound Hunt, pre-recorded sounds (space sounds, beeping, whoosing) Have children mimic the sounds and discuss what each sound might represent
Here are some learning stations focused on the topic: The Moon
1. Reading Station:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown,
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle,
Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch.
Man on the Moon by Simon Bartram
The Darkest Dak by Chris Hadfield
Someone on this forum also reminded me of the book Whatever Next by Jill Murphy
I would also add some non fiction books to the library.
2. Gravity Experiment: Provide small balls and a ramp to show how gravity affects objects differently. Explain that gravity on the moon is weaker than on Earth. –
3. Sensory Station: Moon Sand:Create “moon sand” using flour and baby oil.
4. Dramatic Play Station-Astronaut Dress-Up
5. Technology Station- Bee Bots, I saw this mentioned in Module 1 forum, printed map of the moon- get to the crator, get to the moon buggy, get to the rocket etc. Programme the Bee Bots
6. Music and Movement Station:Teach and sing songs about the moon. ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’, ‘The Man in The Moon; The Use instruments for a musical experience. Play space-themed music and let children pretend to be astronauts moving in low gravity.
I would also encourage children to record their observations of the moon over a week and we could record this. It would also open up discussions about the weather.
These stations will allow children to explore various aspects of the moon through hands-on activities, fostering a deeper understanding and curiosity about space.
I adore using stations in my infant classroom. These are great ideas and I can see my students would be very engaged in these activities
I remember doing this experiment on teaching practice maybe 15 years ago. The smell of vinegar lingering in the class for the week after. They loved it, pure excitement
Rocket Mice, i think my class would love this and i love seeing the individuality in each creation and the deign element would give a sense of ownership. Could be interesting to see the differences in those that add big ears, long tails etc and see is there a difference in the height. Great discussions to be had afterwards I reckon
