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Hi, I really like how you’ve broken the lesson into clear, manageable steps. Starting with a KWL chart is a great way to build on the children’s prior knowledge, and I love the idea of letting them explore the TEAL tool freely first. I think that would really spark their curiosity and get them excited before moving on to the group task.
I really enjoyed Activity 3 – Climate Reporters. I thought the Paxi video was a great way to introduce the topic because it explained the greenhouse effect in a simple and engaging way. I think it would really capture the attention of a 2nd class and encourage lots of questions and discussion.
I would use parts of this activity with my class, focusing more on talking about the weather we experience every day and simple ways we can help to look after our planet. We could go outside to observe the weather, record what we see and chat about how looking after the environment is everyone’s responsibility. I would also encourage the children to come up with ideas for small changes we could make in school, such as recycling, saving electricity, planting flowers or reminding each other to use reusable water bottles. I think some of the climate data and graphs would be too difficult for a 2nd class, so I would leave those out and focus on the practical, hands-on parts of the activity instead.
Hi Lea, I really enjoyed reading your reflection. I agree that focusing on positive actions is so important, especially with younger children. I also like your idea of linking the learning to the local community and Green Schools, as it makes the topic much more meaningful and relevant for pupils.
I found the ‘Home’ video really thought-provoking. It was also the name of my wedding song recently, so I loved the title instantly! The images of our planet were beautiful, but they also highlighted how much of an impact people are having on the environment. It definitely made me stop and think about the importance of looking after the world around us. I also watched Greta Thunberg’s TEDx talk, and although her message is incredibly powerful, I feel that some of it would be quite overwhelming for a 2nd class. At that age, I think it’s more important to focus on giving children hope and showing them that even small actions can make a difference.
If I was teaching this topic, I would begin by asking the children what they already know about climate change and what they notice about the weather and the environment around them. I think children are much more engaged when they can make connections with their own lives. We could then use age-appropriate resources, such as the Paxi videos, to introduce the topic in a way that is easy to understand and encourages lots of questions. Rather than focusing on the problems, I would encourage the children to think about the positive things they can do every day, such as recycling, turning off lights when they’re not needed, using reusable water bottles and lunch boxes, planting flowers or trees, and walking or cycling to school where possible. I think it’s important that they come away from the lessons feeling that they can help, rather than feeling worried about something that seems too big to change.
I’d also include of practical activities and discussions, linking the topic with SESE, SPHE and Art. I think my 2nd class would really enjoy creating posters, taking part in simple investigations and talking about ways we can all look after our environment. My hope would be that they not only learn about climate change but also begin to see that the small choices they make every day can have a positive impact on the world around them.
Hi Fiona, I really liked your idea of creating a whole-school weather station. It’s a great way to involve all classes and make STEM meaningful.
Before introducing Paxi and the greenhouse effect, I would spend some time helping my 2nd class understand the role of the Sun and why it is so important for life on Earth. I think it’s important that the children have this background knowledge first, as it will make it much easier for them to understand what the greenhouse effect is and why it matters.
Once the children have explored how the Sun provides heat and light, I would introduce the Paxi video on greenhouse gases. I really like this resource because it explains a complex topic in a way that is easy for young children to understand. As we watch the video, I would pause at different points to discuss new vocabulary and give the children the chance to ask questions or share their own ideas. I think this topic would lead to some really interesting discussions, particularly around the different ways people can help to protect the environment. One link I would make is to something the children are already familiar with. The trees outside our school are currently being removed to make way for new cycle lanes, and this has been a big talking point with the children. I think it would be a great opportunity to discuss how environmental issues are not always straightforward. On one hand, cutting down trees has a negative impact on wildlife and the environment, but on the other hand, creating safer cycle lanes encourages people to choose greener ways of travelling. I think this would help the children understand that sometimes there isn’t just one simple answer and that we need to think about different perspectives. Although I think the video is an excellent resource, I wouldn’t try to cover everything in one lesson. I would break the topic into a series of shorter lessons so the children have time to explore each idea, ask questions and make connections with their own experiences. I think this would make the learning much more meaningful and would help the children develop a better understanding of how they can play a part in looking after our planet.
I really enjoyed Activities 1 and 2. I think they are very suitable for younger children as they encourage observation and discussion rather than focusing on learning facts. The Weather Detectives activity, in particular, is one I can see working really well with my 2nd class. Children are naturally interested in the weather, especially when it changes from day to day, so I think they would enjoy observing the weather outside, recording what they notice and talking about how it changes over time. I also liked how the activities encouraged children to use scientific vocabulary in a meaningful way. Instead of simply telling them the difference between weather and climate, they are given the opportunity to think about it for themselves and discuss their ideas with others. I think this would lead to some lovely conversations in the classroom.
One thing I would probably add is a simple weather diary that the children could complete over a week or two. I think this would help reinforce the idea that weather changes every day, while climate is based on patterns over a much longer period. It would also encourage children to become more aware of the world around them and make connections between what they are learning in school and what they see at home. Overall, I think these activities are practical, engaging and very easy to adapt for a 2nd class.
I decided to focus on the Rockets activity because I know it is something that would really capture the interest of my future 2nd class. Anything to do with space immediately gets children talking, and I think the opportunity to build and launch their own rockets would make this a lesson they would be excited about. I also like using the Curious Minds Framework as it encourages children to explore, ask questions and learn through doing rather than simply being told the answers.
To introduce the lesson, I would show the class a short video of a rocket launch and ask them what they notice. I know there would be lots of interesting observations and questions, so it would be a nice way to get everyone involved from the beginning. We could chat about what helps a rocket get into space and introduce some simple vocabulary like launch, fuel and force. The part I think the children would enjoy most would be making and testing the mouse rockets. Before launching them, I would ask the class to predict which bottle they think would send the rocket the furthest and explain their thinking. I would also use this as an opportunity to introduce the idea of a fair test by asking questions like, “Would it be fair if one group had a much bigger rocket than another?” I think this would help them understand the concept in a simple, practical way. To finish off, I’d let the children design and decorate their own rockets and investigate whether different shapes or designs affect how they fly. I think this would be a lovely way to combine Science with Art while encouraging creativity and teamwork. This might be a lesson my 2nd class might really enjoy. It is practical, fun and gives every child the chance to explore, make predictions and learn from their own discoveries, which is the kind of learning I want to encourage in my classroom.
I would choose the Hands-on Classroom Themed Activities because I know from my experience that kids learns best when they are actively involved in their learning. I find that children are much more engaged when they can build, test and explore for themselves rather than being told how something works.
One activity I would definitely try with my 2nd class is a simple building challenge using everyday materials. I think the children would really enjoy working in small groups to design and build a bridge or tower. Before they started, I would encourage them to chat about their ideas, decide on a plan and make predictions about which design they think would work best. Once they had tested their structures, we could come back together to talk about what they discovered and what they might do differently next time. What I like most about this type of activity is that every child can contribute in some way. Some children enjoy building, others are great at coming up with ideas, while others are happy to explain what their group has done. It creates a really positive atmosphere where children learn from each other and realise that it’s okay if something doesn’t work the first time. In fact, those moments often lead to the best learning. I would love to include more activities like this throughout the year because they fit naturally into the classroom and can be linked with other subjects as well. I think they help children become more confident in asking questions, solving problems and working together. Most importantly, they make learning fun, and I know my 2nd class would really enjoy the opportunity to investigate, experiment and learn through doing.
I would choose the Activity Set Space and Aliens because I know it is a topic that would instantly grab the attention of my 2nd class. Children love talking about aliens and space, and I think starting with something that sparks their imagination is a great way to get them interested in science.
I would begin by asking the children if they think aliens exist and encourage them to explain why they think that. I know there would be lots of different opinions, and I think that would lead to some great discussions. From there, we could explore what living things need to survive and compare those needs with what we know about other planets. I like that the activity encourages children to think about their answers rather than just guessing. I would also include a creative follow-up where the children design their own planet and an alien that could live there. I think they would really enjoy explaining why their alien has certain features and how it survives in its environment. It would be a lovely opportunity to link Science with Art and oral language, and I know my class would love sharing their ideas with one another.