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Hi Denise! Your lesson ideas sound wonderful. Using The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot as inspiration will surely engage the children. The alien creation activity and building homes are great for sparking creativity. Drawing maps and writing postcards will also help develop their descriptive writing skills. The approach you have used is both fun and educational. I enjoyed reading these ideas. Thank you 🙂
In my classroom, I would use the “Lots and Lots of Stars” activity pack as a multifaceted approach to engage students in both scientific inquiry and artistic expression. To start, I would initiate an open discussion about the vast number of stars in the sky. Using a relatable comparison, such as marbles in a jar, would help students grasp the concept of large numbers. We would begin with a small number, like 5 marbles, and gradually increase to a full jar, discussing whether the number of stars exceeds this.
Following this, I would integrate art by having students create star-themed spatter paintings. This hands-on activity would not only enhance their understanding of stars but also foster creativity and fine motor skills. I would then introduce constellations by guiding students through UNAWE activities 5.4 and 5.5. By making their own star patterns and observing them from different perspectives, students would develop spatial awareness and critical thinking skills. This approach ensures that students not only learn about stars but also appreciate the broader concepts of perspective and mathematical patterns in a fun and engaging way.
Digital records of their star paintings and constellation patterns would be kept to document their progress and to share their learning journey with parents and the wider school community. This reflective process highlights how integrating a cross curricular approach can create a rich and interactive learning experience.
Hi Robyn!
Your idea of exploring the Moon with “The Man on the Moon” by Simon Bartram sounds fantastic! It’s a great way to engage children’s imaginations and make the concept of space more relatable. I agree that the Moon is an excellent starting point for discussing space because it’s something children see often and satisfies their natural curiosity.
The way you plan to use the book encourages critical thinking and helps students differentiate between fiction and reality. The stunning illustrations will definitely help in visualising the Moon’s environment.
Integrating facts about the Moon and real-life space exploration afterward is a perfect way to bridge the gap between the story and actual science. Well done on a very thought provoking contribution 🙂 I intend to incorporate a similar lesson in the upcoming academic year.
For children up to first or second class, the ESERO outdoor activity (ESERO Activity 1) is a great way to introduce the solar system through movement and music. Students will use hula hoops to represent the orbits of planets and move around them while singing the ‘Family of the Sun’ song. To extend learning, they can create simple planet models using craft supplies like coloured paper and stickers, helping them visualise each planet’s features (similar to the visual representations in the ‘My Sky Tonight’ video) During music lessons, children could be encouraged to create their own songs or soundscapes to represent the different planets. To ensure and plan for inquiry-based learning the teacher is encouraged to guide the students with simple questions like “What do you think it’s like on Mars?” and encourage them to extend their ideas. I believe that this approach would make learning the planets enjoyable and age appropriate.
Hi Sinead!
I love your enthusiasm for space and materials science! Mars being our next destination for exploration is such an exciting concept, especially with its seasons that might be similar to Earth’s. It makes the idea of traveling to Mars feel even more real and tangible.
Your inquiry-based activity with Junior Infants sounds fantastic! Investigating materials for a teddy bear’s raincoat or umbrella is a wonderful hands-on approach to learning. The variety of materials you’ve provided—tin foil, paper towels, blue roll, plastic, and felt—gives the children a great opportunity to experiment and discover which ones are most effective at keeping teddy dry. I think it’s especially engaging to have the children not only test these materials but also think critically about why some work better than others, tapping into their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Hi everyone! My name is Katie, and I’m a Special Education teacher. I’m really excited to explore the topic of space with you all!
One of my favourite space facts is that Ireland and particularly Birr Castle was once home to the largest telescope in the world. It was so powerful that it could see distant galaxies long before most people even knew they existed. It’s amazing to think that some of the first big discoveries about our universe happened right here in Ireland.
In my classroom, I love using inquiry-based activities to spark curiosity and hands-on learning. One of my favourite activities involves a rainy day adventure with a teddy bear. We start by reading a children’s book about a teddy bear caught in a rainy day without a hat. The story sets the stage for our inquiry: How can we help our teddy stay dry?
To explore this, we turn to a practical investigation. Students work in small groups to find the best material to make a waterproof hat for the teddy bear. They test various materials using spray bottles as rain, observing which materials would keep the teddy dry. This experiment involves critical thinking and problem-solving as students analyse their results and draw conclusions.
The hands-on nature of this activity not only makes learning fun but also encourages students to ask questions, test their ideas, refine their designs and learn through discovery. By engaging with both literature and scientific exploration, students see how their creativity and curiosity can lead to real-world solutions. This lesson has proven enjoyable and meaningful.
