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I really like the Space Memory Game, with the addition of vocabulary and pictures as you move up the levels.
https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Games/Space_Memory_Game
A great range of engaging activities for Space Week Louise, I really like the home/school links, where pupils can share their learning at home with fun tasks and then feedback in class.
Rockets
What is the most effective way to launch a rocket the furthest?Engage:
– Read Whatever Next by Jill Murphy as a whole class and discuss the rocket made by baby bear.
– Think/Pair/Share ideas to make an effective rocket and feedback.Investigate:
– Make predictions, share and explain reasoning.
– Balloon Rocket – use the Marvin and Milo balloon rocket cartoon, in groups of three work together to make the balloon rocket.
– Straw Rocket – individually draw rocket/use rocket template and colour in and use straw to launch.Take the Next Step:
– Rocket races – groups to have rocket races, reflect on which rockets travelled the furthest, can amendments be made to increase distance? For example exert more force, stronger blow into straw etc., race again with improvements, evaluate and discuss findings.
– Read Sadie Rocket Builds a Rocket by Sue Fliess, contemplate tips you would give to Sadie based on the investigations.I was unsure of the best way to utilise the Stellarium resource as I felt it was more complex for the juniors but your lesson ideas are fantastic Helen. I really like how you will link to the new pupil from Australia which will be lovely for her and a great learning experience for the rest of the class.
Online Resources and Tools
Marvin and Milo Cartoons:
I think the Marvin and Milo cartoons are a super resource, I can imagine the pupil’s joyous reaction to the cat and dog team! I particularly like the ‘Do try this at home’ motto, which would be really appealing to pupils. With over 155 to choose from the possibilities are endless! To link in with teaching space I would like to try out the investigations relating to properties of matter, forces and motion and earth and space including Alka-Seltzer Rocket, Wobbly Stick, Bouncing Balls, Homemade Sunset, Festive Star, Spinning Rocket, Anti-Gravity Maltesers and Falling Bubbles. The pdf of the cartoon could be printed out as a guide for groups to refer to when investigating.European Space Agency for Kids:
The range of interactive games on ESA Kids is great. I would use in Aistear stations for pupils to work in groups on the IWB and individually on ipads. They will really enjoy moving through the different levels which also facilitates in reinforcing the relevant vocabulary and facts.This is a fabulous lesson Rachel, I really like the collaboration of the whole class drawing a range of stars in a shared piece of art and also using the glow in the dark paint to bring to life in a darkened classroom. I can see how effective this would be and would like to use with my class, many thanks!
Activity Set: Space and Aliens
It was very useful to see the DPSM/ESRO Framework for Inquiry applied in The Classroom Resource Booklet on Mars. I think this would work really well during Science Week where pupil’s complete challenges:
Challenge 1 – Can you create a landscape like Mars?
– Explore Google Mars on ipads.
– Discuss and investigate landscapes using different trays containing soil, sand with duplo small world space characters.
– Use play dough to experiment making Mars with modelling accessories, then groups take tour of each others work.Challenge 2 – Can you create an alien to live on Mars?
– In pairs look at a range of books including Moving to Mars, Toys in Space, Aliens in Underpants Save the World, Here Come the Aliens, then brainstorm ideas in groups.
– Complete individual designs.
– Use clay to make alien and paint.
– Name alien and hot seat as character, pupils to ask questions about their life on Mars etc.I really like your aistear station ideas Claire, very fun and engaging in particular the moon walk station, I will definitely be ‘borrowing’ that one! Thanks so much!
I found the My Sky Tonight video on the Sun’s Energy lesson really beneficial. I have taught lessons about the sun previously but particularly liked the use of the terminology ultra violet and how the safety element was incorporated into the lesson in a very practical non-threating way but at the same time getting the important message across about the dangers. Using the ‘sun ball’ at the start to determine the children’s existing knowledge was a fun and inclusive introduction and a useful way to ascertain any preconceived misconceptions. The use of role play worked very well to reinforce understanding and again all pupils were involved in the process. Making their own UV bracelets was a great activity and the pupils could see first-hand the effects of ultra violet light. By the end of the lesson every pupil was confident in the effects of ultra violet. I will definitely be using this lesson in my senior infant class and think it would work really well in Aistear stations:
1. Role Play – at the beach, pack uv accessories, tick off checklist including sun cream etc.
2. Video – in groups record a sun safety video on ipads
3. Junk Art – individually/pairs design and make uv accessories sun hat, sun glasses etc.
4. Sun Facts Poster – in groups draw and/or write facts about the sun and compile in A3 poster
5. Sun Safety Quiz – complete twinkl sun safety quiz IWBI really like this lesson Sinéad and was immediately drawn in by the inquiry question, ‘How to grow a rainbow’ which I think will be intriguing for children, thank you!
Inquiry-Based Activity in the Classroom:
In senior infants we carried out an investigation to find out which materials would be best suited to make an umbrella and then had great fun making them! The pupils suggested a number of materials including plastic, tinfoil, cardboard, paper and felt and made predictions about which they thought would be most effective and why. They carried out in small groups so everyone got to be involved in all aspects of the inquiry-based activity. Then each group presented their findings to the whole class and we reflected on the results.I like the lesson in module 1 investigating how to clean up the spill and the use of The Curious Minds/ESERO Framework for inquiry which I wasn’t familiar with prior to the course. I will definitely be putting into practice going forward in my planning and utilising the fantastic classroom resources and activities.
My name is Ciara and I will be teaching senior infants in September. I have really enjoyed teaching space in the junior end of the school and incorporated as an Aistear topic. However I felt that I could do so much more to bring this vast topic to life and I’m looking forward to gaining a greater insight and strategies on this course. The younger pupils really enjoy fun facts and are hooked when they find out that astronauts can’t burp in space!
