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For this lesson, I would choose the Weather Activity Set: Animals in the Cold.
The aim of the lesson is to help children explore the Arctic environment by learning about the animals that live there and the adaptations that enable them to survive in extremely cold conditions.
The book Polar Animals by Wade Cooper would be used to introduce the topic and encourage discussion. Children would be asked questions such as, “Can you name an animal that lives in the Arctic?” and “Why do you think these animals live in the Arctic instead of somewhere warm, such as Australia?”
Following the discussion, the children would examine pictures and short video clips of Arctic animals, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, seals, walruses, and snowy owls.
Together, we would identify the unique adaptations of each animal, such as thick fur, blubber, camouflage, and specialised body features.
A map would be used to locate the Arctic and explore how the harsh climate influences the animals’ survival.
To consolidate their learning, each child would research an Arctic animal of their choice and write a short report outlining its habitat, diet, adaptations, and one interesting fact before presenting their findings to the class.
Love these ideas Kieran! I think a space week would be so much for the kids and inspire lots of imagination, exploration and creativity in the classroom 🙂
Engaging Children with Space Week
Objective: Students will explore and learn about space, the solar system, astronauts, and space exploration through interactive and engaging activities.
Trigger: What do you know about space? and What would you like to learn about space?
Discuss responses briefly to gauge their interests.
Activity 1: Exploring the Solar System :
1. Presentation:
– Show pictures and a model or poster of the solar system.
– Briefly describe each planet, focusing on one or two interesting facts about
each.
– Introduce the concept of the sun as the center of our solar system.2. Interactive Discussion:
– Ask questions like: “Which planet is closest to the sun?” and “Which planet is
known for its rings?”
– Encourage students to share any fun facts they know about the planets.Activity 2: Crafting Our Own Solar System (20 minutes):
1. Solar System Mobile Craft:
– Provide each student with materials to create their own solar system mobile.
– Instructions:
Cut out circles for the planets from construction paper.
Color and decorate each planet.
Attach planets to strings and hang them from a hanger or a paper
plate to create a mobile.– Play space-themed music in the background while they work.
Activity 3: Storytime and Video (20 minutes):
1. Book Reading:
– Read aloud “There’s No Place Like Space” by Tish Rabe.
– Pause occasionally to discuss the story and ask questions.2. Space Video:
– Show a short, age-appropriate video about space exploration or astronauts
(e.g., a clip from a space documentary or an animated educational video).
– Discuss what they saw in the video and what they found most exciting.Activity 4: Space Quiz and Games (15 minutes):
1. Space Quiz:
– Prepare a simple quiz with questions about what they’ve learned (e.g., “Which
planet is known as the Red Planet?”).
– Use a buzzer or raise-hand format to make it interactive.
– Award small prizes for correct answers.2. Space-Themed Game:
– Play a game like “Planetary Hopscotch” where students hop to different
planets in the correct order from the sun, marked out on the floor with tape.Conclusion (5 minutes):
1. Review and Recap:
– Recap the key points learned about the solar system and space.
– Ask students to share their favourite part of the lesson.2. Goodbye and Take-home Activity:
– Hand out space coloring sheets for students to take home.
– Encourage students to share what they learned with their families and
continue exploring space at home.Assessment:
– Participation in discussions and activities.
– Creativity and effort in the solar system mobile craft.
– Engagement and correct answers in the space quiz.Follow-up:
– Plan a stargazing night.
– Encourage students to bring in any space-related items or stories to share during the week.What a gorgeous lesson for junior infants! It would really spark their imagination and curiosity. You could really extend this using drama and dramatic play in the classroom 🙂
For this lesson, I would choose the activity set Space and Aliens – Special Life, Life in Space.
The lesson would begin with a reading of the story Aliens in Underpants. The final line of the story would be used as the lesson trigger: “So when you put your pants on, freshly washed and nice and clean, just check in case an alien still lurks inside, unseen!” This would encourage the children to imagine that an alien had been left behind on Earth.
The children would then discuss what they would do if they discovered the alien and how they would help it feel welcome. They would be encouraged to think about the important people, places, and experiences they would like to share with their new visitor. For example, who would they introduce the alien to? What places would they visit? What activities would they want the alien to experience while on Earth?
This theme provides many opportunities for cross-curricular learning. In SPHE, the children could explore how someone might feel when they are in unfamiliar surroundings and discuss ways to make others feel included and welcome.
In literacy, they could write a narrative describing how they met the alien and the adventures they shared together.
In Visual Arts, the children could design and create their own alien using clay before decorating it with paint and colour, allowing them to express their creativity while reinforcing the lesson theme.
Lesson Plan: What Does the Moon Look Like? (2nd Class)
The lesson begins by exploring the children’s prior knowledge of the Moon. I would display images of the Moon in different phases and encourage pupils to share their observations using prompts such as “What do you notice?” and “Does the Moon always look the same?” Together, we would create a Moon word bank using descriptive vocabulary generated by the class. A Moon discovery table containing books, photographs and models would encourage further discussion and curiosity. To extend learning beyond the classroom, pupils would complete a Moon observation sheet at home, drawing the Moon once a week over four weeks to record how its appearance changes.
In the follow-up lesson, we would revisit the children’s observations and discuss the similarities and differences in their drawings. I would introduce the four main Moon phases—New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter—using simple visuals and child-friendly explanations. Pupils would then complete a matching activity by placing the phases in the correct sequence. To reinforce learning through active participation, the class would take part in a movement activity where they use their bodies to represent each Moon phase while listening to calming, space-themed music. The lesson would conclude with a class discussion, allowing pupils to reflect on what they have learned and encouraging them to ask further questions about space.
Assessment would be based on teacher observation, participation in discussions and activities, and the completed Moon observation and matching worksheets. Differentiation would be supported through the use of visual resources, collaborative learning and extension opportunities for pupils who wish to explore the Moon in greater depth through drawing or creative writing.
Hi Aisling, I really like your lesson plan! It is really enquiry-based and I can imagine the little ones having lots of fun investigating the moon this way 🙂
An inquiry-based activity I would use with a Second Class is “Which Planet Would Be the Best Place to Live?”
I would begin by showing the children pictures of the planets and asking them what they already know and what they wonder about space.
In small groups, the children would investigate one planet using age-appropriate books, videos and fact cards. They would explore questions such as: Is it hot or cold? Does it have air or water? Could people live there?
The children would record their findings through drawings and simple sentences before presenting their ideas to the class.
I would guide their learning by asking open-ended questions rather than providing answers, encouraging them to think critically and justify their opinions with evidence.
The lesson would conclude with a class discussion comparing the planets and reflecting on why Earth is uniquely suited to support life.
I love this Joe, it’s nice and simple for both the kids and teacher and has a lovely beginning, middle and end to it!