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I really enjoyed reading your post. I think the rocket launch activity is a brilliant way to introduce forces in a practical and engaging way. I like how you encourage the children to make predictions and test their ideas, as this helps to develop their scientific thinking. I also like the cross-curricular links with Maths, English and Art, which would make the learning even more meaningful. Overall, it sounds like a fun activity that would really capture the children’s interest during Space Week.
For Space Week, I would plan a range of fun, play-based activities that allow the children to explore space through investigation, creativity and imaginative play. Space is already a theme that we cover in Junior Infants for playfull learning (Aistear), so this course has given me lots of new ideas that I can include in my planning.
I would transform the role-play area into a space centre with a rocket where the children can become astronauts preparing for a mission. The children could use flashlights to search for hidden aliens and space objects, encouraging exploration and problem-solving through play. I would also include books about space, opportunities to create rockets and aliens through art, and simple science activities, such as exploring why the Earth is round or investigating the Sun and shadows.
Throughout the week, I would encourage the children to ask questions, make predictions and share their ideas. I think this course has shown me that young children learn science best through hands-on experiences and discussion rather than simply being told facts. Overall, my aim would be to make Space Week enjoyable, engaging and full of opportunities for curiosity and discovery while developing the children’s understanding of the world around them.I really enjoyed reading your lesson. I like how you begin with a story, as it is a lovely way to introduce the topic and encourage the children to make predictions. The blubber investigation is also a great hands-on activity that allows the children to experience how insulation helps keep animals warm. I think this would make the learning much more meaningful and memorable. Overall, it is an engaging lesson that develops scientific skills while encouraging discussion and curiosity.
Teaching Junior Infants, I would use the Hot and Cold activity with my class as it gives the children the opportunity to investigate and predict through hands-on learning. I like that the lesson begins by encouraging the children to share what they already know about the Sun before carrying out the experiment. This would allow me to identify any misconceptions while promoting discussion and oral language.
The ice cube investigation is simple but effective. Before placing one ice cube in the Sun and one in the shade, I would ask the children to predict which one they think will melt first and explain their reasons. I think this is a great way to introduce scientific enquiry skills such as predicting, observing and discussing results. Taking the children outside to feel the difference between standing in the Sun and in the shade would also help them make real-life connections with what they have observed.
I also like the Hot or Cold sorting game, as it encourages movement and keeps the children engaged while reinforcing the concepts learned during the lesson. Overall, I think this activity is well suited to Junior Infants because it combines play, investigation and discussion, making science enjoyable and meaningful while developing children’s curiosity about the world around them.I really enjoyed reading your lesson. I think it is a great way to encourage imagination and creativity while also developing the children’s oral language skills. I especially like the idea of comparing the alien world with the children’s own school environment, as it helps them understand the difference between real and imaginary settings.
The extension activity is also a lovely idea because it gets the children outside observing their surroundings before adding their own creative twist. I think this lesson would be very engaging for Junior Infants and would encourage lots of discussion, creativity and fun.
I would use the Space and Aliens activity with my Junior Infant class because I think it would really capture their imagination. Children of this age are naturally curious about space and love pretending and role play, so I think they would really enjoy this lesson.
I would begin by talking about Earth and explaining that it is our home planet. We would discuss what makes Earth special and what we would like to show a visitor from another planet. I think this would encourage lots of conversation and give every child the chance to share their own ideas. The children would then draw something they think is special about Earth before acting it out for the class. I like that this activity combines art, oral language and drama, while also building confidence as the children take turns guessing each other’s drawings.
I also like the alien drawing activity because there are no right or wrong answers. It gives children the opportunity to use their imagination and be creative while also reinforcing that, as far as we know, no real aliens have been found.
Overall, I think this lesson would be very engaging for Junior Infants. It encourages creativity, discussion and active participation while helping children to appreciate what makes Earth such a special place to live.I think the Sun and Shadows activity is a great choice for Junior Infants because it is practical, engaging and encourages children to learn through play. I like that you begin by asking questions to find out what the children already know before introducing the concept of shadows.
The flashlight activity is a lovely idea as it allows the children to experiment and see how shadows change when they move objects. I also like the idea of taking the class outside to observe real shadows, as it makes the learning meaningful and enjoyable. Overall, I think this is a fun activity that would really encourage curiosity and exploration.
I would use The Spherical Earth activity with my Junior Infant class because I think it is a fun and practical way to introduce children to the idea that the Earth is round. At this age, many children might wonder why people don’t fall off the Earth or think that there is a top and a bottom. I think this activity is a great way to encourage them to ask questions and explore these ideas for themselves.
I would begin by asking the children what they think the Earth looks like and listening to their ideas. I think this would be a good way to find out what they already know and any misconceptions they might have. I would then use a globe to show that the Earth is spherical and explain, in a simple way, that gravity keeps us on the Earth wherever we are. The role-play activity with figures or puppets would also be ideal for this age.
I especially like the Earth mosaic activity. Working together to put the sixteen pieces together would help the children see the shape of the Earth while also encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. I also like the activity showing that there is no real “top” or “bottom” to the Earth, as I think this is a concept that many young children find interesting.
Overall, I think this activity would work really well with Junior Infants because it is hands-on, encourages discussion and makes a difficult idea easier for young children to understand. It would also help to develop their curiosity about space and the world around them.Hi Mary,
I really like this activity as it is so hands-on and engaging. The “Magnetic Detective” idea encourages children to make predictions, test their ideas and communicate their observations, which fits well with an inquiry-based approach. I also like the cross-curricular links, particularly the opportunities to develop oral language and mathematical skills alongside science learning.
One inquiry-based activity I would use in my Junior Infants classroom is investigating how shadows change throughout the day. I would begin by asking the children, “Why do we have shadows?” and “Do shadows stay the same all day?” The children would share their ideas and make predictions before going outside to observe their own shadows.
At different times during the day, the children would look at their shadows, notice any changes and record their observations through drawings or photographs. We would then come back together to discuss what we noticed and compare our findings. This would encourage the children to ask questions, observe carefully and communicate their thinking.
I think this activity reflects the inquiry-based approach because it begins with the children’s own ideas and encourages them to investigate through first-hand experiences. As a Junior Infants teacher, I know that young children learn best by exploring and talking about what they see. This activity also develops scientific skills such as observing, predicting and communicating while helping children to build an understanding of how the Sun affects our everyday lives.