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Lesson: Paper Rockets
The aim of my activity is for children to understand that rockets move because of a push. I would ask them to make predictions before making and testing the rockets and record their predictions e.g. my rocket will fly from the door to the window. I would use the Marvin and Milo cartoons as a stimulus and for discussion before we begin investigating and making. I would also show the children pictures of rockets and gather their prior knowledge of rockets.
The resources I would provide would be card, paper, straws, scissors, sticky tape, crayons or markers. We could also use bottles and make a rocket mouse as shown in the slides, a simple recording sheet where they could write, use a scribe or draw what may happen. They could also voice record their predictions using ICT.
They would then have time to design and make their rocket. I usually allow children to decide during designing and making if they would like to work alone or in pairs. We would then test our rockets in the hall if possible or in the yard on a dry , calm day.
Theme: Where Do You Live?
- Children discuss their homes with a partner or small groups(colour, roof, type of home, garden, how many windows, storeys, terrace, semi detached etc).
- Walk and learn- children will walk around the room, when I say stop they tell the person beside them about their home. I would support and scaffold for children who find speaking to a group challenging.
- Children complete a cut and stick/ drawing making it similar to their home- apartments, houses, boat house, mobile home.
- Linkage to art and Englis- read The House that Grew.
- Children build a model of their home using playdoh, blocks, design using ict if possible
- Children create additional model buildings (e.g. school, shop, park, library).
- For lesson and theme progression we would look at different homes animals live in- nests, burrows and then bigger habitats.
- STEM and SEE opportunities- creating model homes using materials available in the classroom and testing their structures.
Activity set: Space and Aliens.
I would introduce this topic or lesson with a story stimulus e.g. There is an alien in your book or Aliens love underpants. During the read aloud I would gather vocabulary in a word jar and stop to discuss those words.
After this I would ask open ended questions using think- pair- share approach so the children have an opportunity to tell their peers their ideas.
Moving on I would use the What is special activity from the Life in Space lesson. Depending on class level, ability and keeping inclusion in mind I would allow the children to draw, write, voice record what they would like to show about the earth that is special.
Following on from this we would discuss that as far as we know there are no people living on other planets but if so what would they look like and what would their home be like. They could then create their alien using arts and craft materials.
Activity set: The Planets
I would use the Planets game as my introduction to my lesson. This will get the children active and there is also cross curricular opportunities with PE. I would keep reminding them they cannot land on the sun. As they are landing at the different planet I would get them to say the planet name or say a planet rhyme to practice and remember the names.
After this we would sing the planets song and play Spin your own Planet. To extend this lesson I would get the children to observe pictures of the planets and make them with playdough or draw them.
Depending on my class level and ability I would then use a see- think- wonder template. They would observe pictures of the solar system and record their “wonder questions” which we could then return to during our next lesson. Children often have great knowledge and interest in planets so I would ask them for any interesting facts they have to share with the class.
This lesson sounds very interesting. I always find using a story as a stimulus draws the children in and is a great starting point.
Hi my name is Hannah. I will be teaching senior infants next year. I dont know a huge amount about Space so hoping I will know plenty of fun facts by the end of it. Please see below my IBL responce.
For an inquiry based learning approach I would use picture stimulus. For example if I was planning a STEM lesson on bridges I would give each group (3 or 4 children) a picture of a famous bridge around the world. I would use the See- Think -Wonder template and they could record their ideas or I would act as scribe for smaller children. Then I would distribute materials- cardboard, carrots, spaghetti blue tak, jaggo blocks and children could plan and build their bridge factoring in something- e.g it must be able to hold a toy car or it must be a certain height. Then we would test our bridges and record using drawing, photos or record on Seesaw. I would consult the NCSE documents to be sure I am mindful of inclusion for all learners.
Hi Niall,
How can I post an original post and not just replay to othoers? i want to post my idea for IBL.
Hi evelyn,
i will be teaching senior infants next year. I do not know much about Space hence doing this course so i do not have a favourite fact yet!