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I choose the theme of rockets in infants. I feel it is such an engaging topic and have endless opportunities for different subjects. I would begin with introducing the story ‘zoom to the moon’ to have the children thinking and exploring. We would have a discussion on rockets, whats involved, how do they work etc. I would show some interactive videos of the rockets in action. We would then allow for our creative side to shine and begin creating our own rockets. Children would be invited to work in pairs or on their own to create a rocket. They each would get a plastic bottle which has an A4 white sheet around it. This allows the children to design, colour add whichever they wish to the rocket. We would then place the rockets on a piece of string, and they would move up and down on either side, having a rocket race (Maths) or using our imaginations to create a class story (Literacy).
Some really lovely ideas and suggestions listed here Grainne, thanks for sharing. The planets song is always a real hit in infants.
I choose the theme of ‘Where do you live?’. While teaching in Junior Infants over the past few years, the children have really loved engaging with this theme/topic. I base it all around the story of the three little pigs. We begin a discussion on where we live, what type of accommodation, with who etc. I read the story of the three little pigs and we sequence the story to gain more of an understanding of each step. The children love it. They know each house is made out of different materials. To allow for more STEM opportunities, I bring in hands on materials for each type of house. It allows for active, hands on learning and integration of arts and crafts, allowing the children to be creative. They use straw, lollipop stick and foam bricks. It’s a really lovely and effective lesson where many different houses are created by each child.
Really great ideas shared here Frances, I like the group work ideas but also the whole school approach, very information ideas
As I will be teaching senior infants in September, I am basing my activities around that specific class. I choose the activity based on Stars, as they are such a fun and curious group that I know they would love to engage and wonder. I would begin with the song twinkle twinkle little star to get the topic going, thinking, wondering. Where are the stars, when do we see them etc. The children can then share their ideas, thoughts and get the discussion going. An interactive star gazing activity on the board would really allow for attention and discussion. I would then integration an art lesson into the topic and have them create their own stars. I will provide a black card backdrop, giving each child a fork we would dip these into the yellow paint, to give a flickering star affect. I would provide opportunity for oral language on what star they created and why.
Thanks for sharing about the story of how to catch a star Christine, sounds great! Love the linkage of twinkle twinkle too, very cute
The planet song is such a great stimulus and introduction for the topic. As I will be teaching in infants this coming year, they would love to engage with it and learn from it. I would first play the song to get their attention and focus on prior knowledge of the different topics. Then, we would have a discussion on the board using our mind map to question prior knowledge on the different planets. After that I would play the song again to aid there learning and having them engage in words and language. There are endless opportunities for integration of oral language, art, maths etc into the topic. I would then provide children the opportunity to create their own planets during play time using many different supplies and materials available in the crafts corner. This would allow them to create a planet of their choice and showcasing it for the whole class to see.
Oh sounds like a fun book for infants Sarah, thanks for sharing. Will certainly be looking at getting it for the children, they would love it.
The inquiry based activity I have used the past 3 years in junior infants is the skittles rainbow experiment. The children really enjoy it, nice and simple and lots of fun. We usually do it in small groups, where each group gets a plate and a bag of skittles. Then taking turns, the skittles are placed around the edge of the plate in a colourful pattern. Then we slowly pour the hot water into the middle of the plate. We wait and watch to see what is happening. The skittles colours move towards the centre of the plate, creating lovely rainbow streaks. We have a discussion on why we think this is happening? Would it happen if the water was cold? What is happening the coating on the coloured skittles? It always poses for lots of discussions and an activity the children really enjoy and engage with, while also having a treat of a left over skittle at the end.