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Hands-on activity: Rockets
To begin this lesson I would read the story ‘The way back home’ to the class. We would then have a class discussion about Space and how people can go to Space from Earth. I will ask the children what they know about rockets and how they work or what makes them fly. I will then show the class clips on YouTube of NASA rocket launches. Following this I will explain we will make our own rockets using the rocket mouse activity. The children will choose a empty plastic bottle and will get a cut out sheet. Here they will cut out their paper, design them and roll and stick them into a cone shape. They will then place the cone on top of the empty bottle and squeeze the bottle to launch their rocket. We will then have a discussion about what happened and why it happened, how far they fly and why etc. The children will then be encouraged to investigate how to make them fly further. They can test this by using different sized plastic bottles and amounts of force used when squeezing the bottle. In groups the children can use Non-Standard units of measurement to measure of how far their rocket fly when using different bottles and force. They can then relay this information to the class at the end.
This sounds like a great lesson. The best way to engage the children is by giving them a problem to solve.
Hands-on classroom themed activity: Where do you live?
To begin this lesson I would start by showing pictures of different types of houses from all around the world. I would ask the children after each picture does it resemble their house and if not what is different about it. We would then have a classroom discussion about the different types of homes and things we find in our homes.
From here, I would give out a worksheet. On one half the children would draw the outside of their house and what it looks like. On the other half would be a template of a house and the children would divide the house into different rooms and they can draw or cut and stick different appliances, furniture etc that they have in their home.
Next, using Lego the children would build a small model of their home. They will add doors, windows, roof, chimneys etc. If they live in an apartment they can build the apartment block. Once everyone is finished they will put all their finished pieces together to create a small community. We will then discuss what is missing from the area such as shops, schools, churches, roundabouts, parks, playgrounds etc. They can then work together to make these things and add them to their community.
I believe this lesson is brilliant to develop their STEM skills as it incorporates lots of hands-on activities such as drawing, construction, critical thinking etc. In terms of SSE, we would display the Lego built local community in the school lobby for all the school and visitors to see. It might encourage other classes to do something similar or motivate them to take an interest in STEM subjects.
Activity Set: Stars
To begin this lesson I would use the song ‘Sky Full of Stars’. After this we could have a classroom discussion about stars in the night sky. We would talk about how many stars we can see in the sky and if some are brighter than others and why might this be. From here, I would show the children some pictures of different constellations without the lines joining them and ask if they notice any patterns. This will allow for a think-pair-share moment. Next, explain constellations through the idea of patterns and joining the dots. Show the same constellations with the lines highlighting them and the names of each. An activity we could do next is a join the dot worksheet of the different constellations. Following this, the children could design their own constellations on an A4 sheet black paper card and chalk or paint and give them a name. They could then construct a 3D version using straws and playdough/blue tack. Another activity would be to use the Stellarium web on I-Pad to explore constellations and star maps. At the end, we could have a class discussion about what we learned.
This could lead on to a lesson about what blocks and allows light through which would be another fun lesson.
Activity Set: The Sun and Shadows
To begin this lesson, the children would be divided into pairs and given flashlights. They would then work together to create different shadows around the classroom. Following this, we would go out to the yard and the children can have fun finding other shadows and even using their body to create different shadows on the ground. I would ask questions such as how can you make your shadow longer/shorter/wider/narrower etc. From here, we will discuss what a shadow is and how they are created as light cannot pass through a solid object. We would then discuss the Sun as a light source and how, many years ago, people used use the Sun as a way to tell the time. We will then conduct an experiment. Explain how although it looks as if the Sun moves across the sky it is in fact the Earth rotating which causes this effect. To highlight it, use a flashlight and spinning globe in the classroom. To investigate, each child will be given a cone and chalk. In a section of the yard, the children will place their cone on the ground and using chalk mark the top of the shadow with chalk and mark the time beside it. Every hour we will go back out and check if the shadow has moved and if so, mark the new point of the shadow and the time. At the end of the day we can have a class discussion about what we found out from this experiment i.e. did the shadows move? In what direction did they move? were all the shadows the same length? if not, what times were they shorter? etc. Lastly, this experiment could be repeated at a later stage, but instead of using cones the children could mark their own footprints and get their friends to draw their shadow outlines every hour. This would be a fun way to teach the children about the Sun, shadows and how the Earth rotates.
Hi Deirdre, I really like the visual effect of using a globe and torch to show the children the Earth rotating and signaling day and night for half the world.
Hi, my name is Keith and this year I will be teaching Junior Infants. My favourite space fact is just how vast space really is and how we describe distance in light years. To describe a place as just 1 light year away means we would need to travel at the speed of light for 1 Earth year to reach that destination.
Inquiry-based activity:
I think a good lesson for Junior Infants is to learn about biodiversity in their local area. This is a great way for children to learn about plants and animals and also how to care for their environment. To begin the lesson I would use a story such as ‘Don’t Hog the Hedge’ to engage the learners. We would discuss the different animals, insects and plants discussed and illustrated in the book. Following on, we would go on a nature/biodiversity walk around the school grounds, using a worksheet to check boxes of plants, animals and insects we found. We will then discuss the environment in which we found such things and what best suits each living thing. As a group we can then work on maintaining the area and reducing factors that impact or harm local biodiversity. The class can brainstorm with prompts ways to protect it such as; leaving certain areas of grass/plants grow longer throughout the year, building bird boxes or bat boxes, reducing light pollution by removing or reducing unneeded artificial light and even designing posters to promote good thinking around local biodiversity. We can then return to check our school garden throughout the year then to see if biodiversity has increased and we can reflect on what worked or perhaps on what did not work.
I like the idea of making posters about the dark sky place. It could become a whole-school activity where all year groups get involved. This would create real interest in the locality to create an actual dark sky place in the area.
Describe how you could implement a version of “Design Your own Dark Sky place” in your school/classroom?
I think this lesson is ideal for infants as it involves lots of role-play, drawing and groupwork. To begin, we would have a whole-class discussion on a few key topics. Firstly, we would discuss what dark skies are, what can we see on a clear dark night and why are they so special. Secondly, we would talk about light pollution and its impact on dark skies. And thirdly, we would talk about how we could have a positive impact on reduce light pollution to improve dark skies in our locality. From here, I would introduce drama and role-play. I would split the class into groups and each child in each group would have a role such as local resident, stargazer, conservation ranger and lighting planner. We would go for a walk around the school grounds and decide on an area we think would be best suitable to create our own dark sky place. Once back in class, the children can come up with ideas for creating such a place. The teacher can give prompts if needed such as; how do we ensure the area is safe for people but also reducing artificial lighting? how do we make the experience even better for stargazers? (benches/telescopes/foot trails etc.) and how do we not impact on local biodiversity? To support the children’s plan they can work together to design a map of the dark sky place and also brainstorm their ideas on the back of the page. At the end, each group can give a presentation of their work to the rest of the class. This gives an opportunity for other groups to share feedback and ask questions.
Great idea to get the children thinking of ways we can reduce light pollution in our own lives to help the environment.
How you would engage your learners to explore biodiversity in your local area and the possible impacts of light pollution on local biodiversity.
This year I am working with Junior Infants, so therefore, I would look at a hands-on, interactive and play/story style approach to this. To begin, using a powerpoint we would look at different animals, insects and plants we find in our local area. After this we would go on a nature/biodiversity hunt on the school grounds or even local park. The children would be have a sheet with pictures of the animals, insects and plants we might find in the area and they can check the box beside each if they find them. While we are there we can sit and discuss what reasons the animals, insects and plants might choose to live in that particular environment (lighting/food/safety/comfort etc.). From here, we can discuss light pollution. As the children have previously learned about it, we could have a group discussion and how it might affect the animals, insects and plants in the locality. We can then talk about nocturnal and diurnal animals. Finally, once back in the classroom, the children can role-play and build dens using cushions/blankets etc. like animals and insects and can use flashlights to investigate what impact artificial lighting would have on them. From here, we can discuss ways to help reduce light pollution in our locality.