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Wow Louise, so many suggestions and ideas here, thank you. I will definitely utilise these going forward.
Module 5 assignment
Consider how many Songs / Poems /Art can you think of to connect us with the Night Sky?
The night sky art ideas
– create constellations using tinfoil, string and paper as suggested in an earlier module,
– create planets, constellations, the moon or the sun using clay,
– create a starry night using black paper and white paint, flicking the paint brush to splash onto the paper.
– use glow in the dark paint to transition your picture from a day image in the light to a night sky when the lights are turned off.
– on cardboard paint an night scene with light sources/light pollution – after a lesson on light and creating circuits – the children could puncture the cardboard and push small bulbs through. This can be used to demonstrate to younger classes how light pollution affects the night sky etc.
– create a sun, moon and earth orbit model
– create a night sky using scratch art technique
– create the planets, moon & sun using paper macheHaving a nature trail so close to your school grounds sounds incredible. Such an amazing platform to teach all about habitats and biodiversity.
How you would engage your learners to explore biodiversity in your local area and
the possible impacts of light pollution on local biodiversity.Introduction to Biodiversity- To get the children invested and interested in the topic I would begin with a book featuring local animals and plants, introducing them to the concept of biodiversity in a way that resonates with their local environment. eg. The Great Irish Biodiversity Book by Eanna ní Lámhna
Following this we would play Biodiversity Bingo: Create bingo cards with images of local plants, animals, and insects. Take the children on a walk around the school grounds or a nearby field, encouraging them to find as many of the species as possible.
School Garden or Bug Hotel: Set up a small garden or build a bug hotel on the school grounds. Have the children help plant native flowers and shrubs, which can attract insects and other wildlife. Over time, they can observe how the garden changes and how it attracts different species, learning about the roles these species play in the ecosystem.
Introducing Light Pollution
Simple Experiments: Conduct an experiment where the children observe a well-lit area versus a darker area at night, if possible. Discuss with them how different animals (like moths, bats, or owls) behave in both settings. This can be done through observations or using videos and pictures if nighttime outdoor activities aren’t feasible.Connecting Light Pollution to Biodiversity
Class Discussion and Reflection: After the nature walks and experiments, have a discussion about what they observed. Ask questions like, “Why do you think some animals prefer the dark?” or “How could lights affect the animals we saw?”Creative Projects: Encourage the children to create posters or dioramas showing the difference between a healthy, dark environment and one affected by light pollution. They could also write short stories or draw comic strips about animals navigating the challenges of light pollution.
Local Expert Visits: Invite a local ecologist or conservationist to speak with the children about local biodiversity and the impact of light pollution. They can bring in examples or even take the children on an additional nature walk.
Awareness Campaign: Help the children create a simple awareness campaign for the community about reducing light pollution, perhaps by designing posters or a short video to share with parents or the local community.
Hi Emma, I really like your inclusion of ICT in this project and especially whereby the children upload a video weekly to compare and contrast findings.
I have grown up and now teach in the rural Cooley Penninsula. over the past few decades I myself can see more and more light pollution impacting our skies. With more and more builds and businesses being set up there are more street lights, or blinding lights lighting up yards or farms as security measures.
To get the attention of my students I would show them the too images, one form 1997 and the other 2015 to show the huge increase in light pollution. We would then identity our own locality on the map.
We would do a survey of our school and also the children would do one for homework regarding their home and outdoor lighting situation.
We would then look at places such as our local GAA pitch and club, golf club, the port, and local shop.
Once all our information is gathered we would examine results and see what the most common causes are and if they could be amended to be friendlier on our environment. A follow on activity could be to write a persuasive piece and send it into our local council office or to a local councillor highlighting our concerns of light pollution in the area.Hi Donnacha,
I really like how much you are planning to incorporate into your teaching of the moon. The challenges faced getting their and the first people to walk on the moon. I really think children will be so invested in your lesson and it also covers so much of the curriculum.
Observing the moon.
I think the moon is something that fascinates us all be it chid or adult. It could be because it is so remarkable to observe.
To begin this lesson, we would go outside and look for the moon.
The first quarter of the moon will be visible in the morning times in September 2024.We would then discuss the moon and record all the children prior knowledge including misconceptions and also any questions they may have about the moon.
Following this we would then watch the Paxi video explaining how we see the moon and how it moves around the earth.Then we would take part in the ESERO lesson 62.
Children will be put into groups and given a ball (Moon) and a
chair with a torch (Sun) .
Explain to the children that the Moon is a sphere. That is
why we are using a ball for this task.
After the experiment, explain to the children the following six phases of the
Moon and name them.
children the use the ESERO worksheets to fill in their report and consolidate their learning.
You could also send home a moon phrases worksheet for homework that month whereby they observe the moon weekly and record their findings.Hi leanne I work in a junior school and I’m also trying to expand my own knowledge of space to enhance teaching and learning. I love how much you integrated the creation of planet tubes across so many curricular areas, literacy, art, maths, science and geog to name a few. An activity I look forward to doing some time next year myself
Creating a sun dial
Firstly, I would pose the question “how come the sun shines in our classroom in the morning but not in the afternoon?”
obviously this lesson is very tailor made to my own classrooms positioning and experience.
After the children try answer this with their own ideas we would conclude that the sun must move.We would look and sun dials and how people used them before wearing watches or having a clock indoors. we would create 1 large sundial and place it outside in the morning. Every hour we would go out and check it recording where the shadow is falling and the time it is. This is a fantastic visual for all the children regardless of ability. The children would then make their own sundials to take home and experiment with at home. Their homework that week/ day could be to record themselves using their sundials at home.
This activity can be tailored to suit any class level in the school. Making sun dials is such a wonder hands on learning experience.