Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Question: How do trees help keep our school playground cool on hot days?
Seven year olds are naturally curious and enjoy learning about the world around them. They can easily observe their surroundings and notice how weather changes affect their daily lives. This research question is designed to help young students understand the role of trees in moderating temperatures and making outdoor environments more comfortable even on hot days. By focusing on a familiar setting like their school playground, the topic becomes more relatable and engaging.
1.Temperature Observation:
How does temperature feel in the shade of a tree compared to areas without trees?
Can students measure temperature differences using simple tools like thermometers?
2.Tree Characteristics:
What types of trees are found on the playground?
How do the leaves and branches of these trees provide shade?
3. Cooling Effect of Trees.
How do trees help cool the air?
Whys is it more comfortable to play under a tree on a hot day
4. Other Benefits.
Discuss additional benefits of trees, such as providing oxygen, homes for animals, and beauty
Discuss the characteristics of each tree, such as leaf shape and size
Five statellites that pass over Ireland are
Sentinel 1 which provides all day weather, day and night radar imagery for land and ocean services.
International Space Station: this is a station that is a space environment research laboratory
NoAA-20, This satellite provides data for weather forecasting, extreme weather predictions and environmental monitoring.
Terra, It carries instruments that monitor Earth’s climate and environment, including the atmosphere, land and oceans and is crucial for understanding ling-term climate change and environmental shifts.
MetOp-B, this is a European meteorological satellite operated by EUMESTAT. It provides data on atmospheric temperature and humidity, ocean surface wind speed and direction and data for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.
‘Home’ by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a visually stunning and powerful documentary that provides an overview of the environmental challenges facing our planet. With its breathtaking areal footage and poignant narration, the film explores the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems and highlights the impact of human activity on the environment. It’s a compelling call to action for sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
In the classroom, I would begin by explaining that you are going to watch parts of a beautiful film about our planet. Emphasizing that it shows many different places on Earth and talks about how important it is to take care of them. Ask the students if they have ever thought about how all the different parts of the world are connected. For example how the trees in a far away place can affect the air we breathe here.
After showing each part, pause and discuss:
-what did you see?
-How did it make you feel?
-Why is it important?
When introducing climate to 6/7 year olds I would explain that the world’s weather is changing in ways that can sometimes be harmful to people, animals and plants. Use examples like, ‘Have you noticed how some summers are much hotter than other?’ or ‘Sometimes it rains a lot more than usual’. Read stories or show pictures of animals and plants affected by climate change.
I would begin the lesson by showing the children the Paxi video on greenhouse gases, engaging in talk and discussion with the children. I would show pictures of common greenhouse gases like car exhaust, factory smoke and cow methane. We would then do a science experiment to explain how the green house effect works. For this experiment I would place a container under a lamp and cover it with plastic wrap, this will represent greenhouse gases trapping the heat. I would then ask the children to predict the weather. I would give them a blank weather prediction chart for the week. They would then draw a symbol into each box which represent the weather. Each day we would compare their predictions with the weather.
Having reviewed the paper ‘Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ I can see clearly the STEM that I use in my class and areas where I can introduce STEM and use it cross-curricular. Also the amount of resources that I have now banked from this Module that I plan to incorporate into my lessons next year.
Weather or Climate? I really liked this activity. It works well and straight away the children would learn the difference between weather and climate. When this is made very clear and it allows the children to learn more about each topic without confusion. I would use this daily as a talk and discussion exercise.
Weather Detectives: I like that the children are the ones who are collecting the data. This allows them to have ownership over the exercised and helps retain their interest for longer. The children will also be able to make comparisons between different locations.
Using the ‘i wonder what would happen’ question is a great way to spark the interest of the children and a good way to encourage them to predict for themselves what will happen- super idea.
Criona, your right to use hands on activities. I find the children love being included in the lessons and get such enjoyment from doing things for themselves.
This is a great way to use a song that they already know and make a comparison for them to easily understand.
I really like this book, I always use it in class. Never thought to use it with a theme of Space. Thanks
Activity: Straw Rocket Launch
Materials Needed:
A drinking straw
Construction Paper
Tape
Scissors
Markers or Crayons
Safety Goggles
Begin by cutting out a triangle shape from the construction paper. This will be the main body of the rocket. Help the child to make it about 4-5 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide.
Encourage the child to decorate the rocket body with markers or crayons. They can draw windows, flames or any other design they like.
Once the rocket body is decorated, roll it into a cone shape and secure it with tape. This will be the nose of the rocket.
Cut small triangular fins out of the remaining construction paper. Three fins will be needed for stability.
Attach the fins to launch the rocket. Have the child put on safety goggles to protect their eyes.
Ask the children to place the straw at the bottom of the rocket, with the open end of the straw facing downwards.
Hold the rocket in one hand, making sure its pointed away from people and objects.
Instruct the child to blow forcefully into the straw, launching the rocket into the air.
Encourage the child to experiment with different blowing strengths to see how high they can make the rocket fly.
Dressing for Different Weather Adventures.
Introduce the topic to the children and explain brifelt each of the five stations.
1. Dress-up Relay Race: Divide the children into teams and set up stations representing different climates (e.g. Sunny, snowt, rainy, windy) At each station, place a basket of clothes suitable for the climate. The first player from each team runs to the station, puts on the appropriate clothing as quickly as possible, and returns to tag the next player. The team that completes the relay race first wins! Afterwards, discuss each climate and the specific clothing items used.
2. Weather Dress-Up Game: Create weather cards representing various conditions like sunny, rainy, snowy, windy, and cloudy. Spread the weather cards on the floor. Have the children take turns picking a card and dressing up in clothes suitable for the weather. Encourage them to explain why they close those clothes and how they protect against specific weather elements.
3 Match the Outfit: Prepare flashcards with images of different clothing items and weather conditions. Mix them up and lay them face-down on a table. Each child takes turns flipping over two cards. if the clothing items matches the weather condition, they keep the pair. The player with the most pairs at the end wins. Use this activity to discuss why certain clothes are suitable for specific weather conditions.
4. Weather Charades: Write different weather condition on slips of paper and place them in a hat or bowl. Each child takes a turn choosing a slip and acting out the weather condition without speaking. the other children try to guess the weather by acting out. Afterward, discuss appropriate clothing choices for each weather condition.
5. Create a Weather Wardrobe. Provide each child with a large piece of paper and art supplies. Ask them to draw a wardrobe with several doors or compartments. Label each door with a different weather condition. Then, have the children draw or cut out pictures of clothing items then would be suitable for each weather condition. They can stick or take the clothes behind the appropriate door.
Activity: Alien Craft
Materials Needed
-Construction paper
-Scissors
-Glue Stick
-Googly Eyes
-Markers or Crayons
-Pipe Cleaners
-Popsicle Sticks
Instructions: First, cut out various shapes from the construction paper. The children will use their imagination and create alien body parts such as circles, squares, triangles, and ovals. They can also create spaceships, planets, and other outer space objects.
Once they have their shapes ready, they will use glue sticks and glue the shapes onto a larger piece of construction paper to create their alien characters. They can mix and match different shapes to create unique aliens.
After sticking the shapes, the children will get googly eyes to add to their alien’s face. They can choose the number of eyes their alien has and stick them on using glue.
The children will use markers or crayons to draw additional details on their aliens such as mouths, noses, antennas and any other features they like.
To make the aliens even more interesting, the children will use pipe cleaners to create arms, legs, or antennas. They can twist and bend the pipe cleaners into different shapes and stick them onto their aliens.
Finally, popsicle sticks will be glues to their aliens. This will allow them to plat with their creations and make then ‘Fly’ around like real aliens.
Once the aliens are complete, encourage the children to use their imagination and come up with stories or adventures for their aliens. They can pretend the aliens are exploring outer space or visiting Earth.
Introducing the activity for 5 year old children in the classroom can be fun and engaging so to spark curiosity in the children and foster their imagination. The following is how I would approach this lesson.
Introduction: Begin by discussing the moon with the children. I will show them pictures, videos or books about the Moon and explain that it is a celestial body in space, the Earth’s only natural satellite.
Moon Walk: Set up a creative Moon Walk station where the children can experience walking on the Moons surface. I will create a simulated lunar landscape using cushions, foam Maths. I will show them how to take small, slow steps mimicking an astronaut.
Lunar Art: Art supplies such as paper, paints, crayons and glitter will be used. The children will creat their own lunar landscapes. The class will chat about colours and shapes and say what they notice in pictures of the moon.
Dress up: I will set up a pretend play area with astronaut costumes and props. this children will dress up and engage in imaginative play while pretending to be on the moon.
Moon Rock Exploration: The children will receive a rock each. they will touch and examine the rocks. The teacher will encourage the children to talk about the colour, feel and shape of the rock.
Moon books and songs, read age appropriate moon books and sing songs. The group will create a simple rhyme together about the moon.
Hi, my name is Karen and i will be teaching the junior classes this year. I have previously taught in the senior end of the school. I really enjoy teaching about space so it will be great to gather information and resources for the the junior side. Fun Fact: A year on Mercury is less then a day on Earth.
