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I really like the idea of making 3D models with recycled materials that could be displayed for other classes to see
Consider how many Songs / Poems /Art can you think of to connect us with the Night Sky
Songs Inspired by the Night Sky
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
When You Wish Upon a Star
Moon River
Fly Me to the Moon
The Sky Is Full of Stars (did this with 2nd class last year as Gaeilge)Poems About the Night Sky
The Star by Jane Taylor
Silver by Walter de la Mare
The Moon by Robert Louis Stevenson
Poems from Mary Oliver about nature and the night
Various Haikus about stars, moon, and night (short and kid-friendly)Art Inspired by the Night Sky
Vincent van Gogh – “Starry Night”
Vincent van Gogh – “Starry Night Over the Rhône”
John Constable – “Night Sky” sketches
Astronomy illustrations – historical star charts, planet drawingsI like the sound of the picture book and think this would be a useful way of explaining light pollution to a younger class
Start with Local Wildlife
Begin by introducing children to the animals and plants they might see around MeathNature Walk & Observation
Take a short walk around the school yard, local park, or nearby field.
Encourage children to look and listen for signs of wildlife: footprints, bird calls, insects, or nests.
Children can draw or tick off what they see on a simple observation sheet.Introduce Light Pollution
Explain that sometimes bright lights at night can make it harder for animals to find food or sleep. Use examplesShadow & Light Experiment
In class, use a small torch to simulate light at night.
Use toy animals or cutouts to show how light can change their shadows and make it harder for them to hide or hunt.Classroom Art
Let children draw a night scene with animals under a dark sky vs. under bright lights.Simple Solutions
Teach small actions that help wildlifeI like the idea of focusing mainly on wildlife and think your idea of bringing the children on a discovery walk would be really well received and motivate children to explore and learn
Detail how light pollution is impacting your local area and how you would engage your learners to explore this
Athboy, a small town in Co. Meath, has been affected by increasing light pollution. Streetlights, shopfronts, car parks, and security lighting all contribute to a brighter night sky, which means fewer stars and planets are visible to the naked eye. Where once residents could look up and clearly see the Milky Way stretching across the sky, it is now often hidden behind a veil of artificial light.
Engaging 1st Class Students with Light Pollution
Start with a Story
Tell a short story contrasting “The Town Sky” and “The Countryside Sky.”In the town, only a few stars can be seen.
In the countryside (or at a dark-sky reserve), the sky is full of twinkling lights.
Use pictures or simple drawings to help them imagine the difference.Hands-On Activity: Star Counts
On a clear evening (as homework with parents), ask children to look up and count how many stars they can see from their garden or window.
Next day, collect their results on a class chart. Some may only see a handful!
Compare it to an image of a dark-sky location in Ireland (like Kerry Dark Sky Reserve).Shadow Play
In class, switch off the lights and use a single torch. Show how shadows look in the dark.
Then switch on lots of lights — notice how shadows disappear or blur.
Discuss: “What happens to stars in the sky when we have too many lights?”Art & Imagination
Children draw two skies: one “Town Sky” with just a few dots, and one “Dark Sky” full of stars.I really liked the idea of incorporating fun activities from this lesson into the children’s homework as this reaffirms the learning that has taken place throughout the day and it also gives parents the opportunity to become involved in their child’s learning.
Create an observing plan for autumn that shows which planets are visible in the evening sky
It seems as though the three planets which are the easiest to view in Autumn are Jupiter, Saturn and Mars
What the Children Do
Point and name: Teacher guides them—“That bright dot is Jupiter! See how steady it glows?”
Draw and tick: On their worksheet, children can draw a circle/dot for each planet as they spot it. Use yellow for Jupiter, pale yellow for Saturn, red for Mars.
Colour and ask: “Which was the brightest? Which looked red?”Compare Night to Night
Invite children to look again over several evenings and notice:Does Jupiter move or stay still?
Does Saturn change position?
When does Mars join the sky?I love the idea of integrating the Pixar animation. I will definitely use that when carrying out this lesson with my 1st class this year!
Plan how your students could “observe and record the positions of the sun when rising and setting and at different times of the day”
Preparation
Place a classroom compass on the window ledge or outside on the yard.
Create a large observation chart (morning, midday, afternoon, sunset).
Give each child a Sun Diary (a simple worksheet with space for drawings).Daily Observations
Morning (as school begins):Teacher points out where the sun is in the sky.
Children draw the sun’s position relative to a landmark (e.g., “above the big tree”).
Midday (around lunch):Go outside. Observe shadows (shorter at midday).
Children mark or trace their shadow on the ground with chalk.
Afternoon (before home time):Observe again. Compare the sun’s position and shadows (shadows longer again).
At Home (sunset):Homework task: Ask children to notice where the sun sets from their house/garden. Parents can help them draw or describe it.
Recording Ideas
Drawings: Children draw the sun’s position at different times of the day on a picture of the sky/landscape.
Shadow Tracing: On the yard, chalk outlines of shadows at different times (label with the time).
Class Chart: Teacher updates a big poster showing “Morning Sun / Midday Sun / Evening Sun.”Discussion & Reflection
End of the week: Compare drawings and class chart.
Discuss patternIt could also be a nice idea to make a human sundial with the children on the yard, I know my first class would love that!
