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I really like the idea of creating the Martian landscapes using cardboard, paint, foil etc. I think this is such a clever idea and sounds like so much fun. Allowing the children to then compare their models with the real NASA images of Mars is key to them moving their learning and understanding forward. Posing simple questions as suggested such as Which looks most like Mars? will encourage good discussion and can be used as an oral language activity. I do agree that this will support visual literacy, scientific thinking, and teamwork at any stage.
Although I will now be working in first class next year I am excited to use an alien-themed activity with the children where they will design their own- this can be incorporated into their visual arts lesson even if it does not fit discretely with the Science lesson. As always children love creating their own characters it is a fun and imaginative way to engage them and the alien figures could be designed and then used later as mini style puppets or equivalent to use during oral language activities. As always it is great to start with a story and maybe a large visual of aliens landing in the playground . What can you teach the aliens about planet Earth? What do you think they would say to us about how we are looking after the Earth, here is an opportunity to link to Green Schools learning also. In so many ways the learning could link with English and activities using in literacy such as writing. Simple connections can be made with maths learning such as counting measuring using non- standard units. Creating spaceships in art is another idea and including different shape patterns. I think the lost of ideas is endless I am excited about how the theme can be used across all subject areas.
This is a great idea making their own aliens! I think I would try and create them possibly as finger puppets using felt.
I like the idea of going outside to explore the shadows this is something we did as children often and it seems to have been forgotten! Waiting in the September sun I will be trying this.
Thanks
The most interesting and exciting topic activity set I am going to explore in detail with my new class is The Planets. Whilst working in the UK we named all the different classes after the planets so it was always am ongoing theme that was explored and research on each planet was carried out. I remember using The Solar System song with the children which was really calming. Hence I think using a song at the start of a lesson or topic is really engaging for the children and they make the link back to the learning. Also I like the idea of using a class text such as Tasha Soars. This is such a brilliant book to use as a little girl takes a night time adventure to the planets, which will help to ignite the children’s curiosity and engagement on the theme. Using lots of discussiona and allowing the children lots of time to pair and share is key- discussing their own knowledge on the planets in groups. The children could record their ideas in groups or for the more able a KWL chart could be used.
Allowing the children adequate time to become more familiar with the order and names of the planets using songs such as the Storybots …We are the Planets song. I believe this works best with younger children although some rhymes could also be used in a simple way to help them remember.
It is important that the children are exposed to the idea that the planets are moving around the sun and showing them virtual videos first to help explore the idea before doing a practical activity to model this.
Following any learning it is important that the children have an opportunity to show or explain what they have learned either verbally or on paper e.g. the KWL grid for the most able in the class. For some they could show their new learning by visual means such as illustrations. During art or fine motor time children could use playdough make their own planets and use different colours. As an extension the children could work alongside children from a senior class during I Pad time and research facts that the older children could read out and record for them encouraging collaboration.
This is such a clever idea. I would love to do this activity using the story as a stimulus. I can see how you could link it with the What falls faster? investigation. It would feel very relevant and realistic. Growing the sunflowers also would be fab!
My Reflection on Module 1
The activity I would use with first class but could be differentiated accordingly depending on the ability range in my class is the Falling Objects gravity activity. I believe it would present an interesting, engaging and fun opportunity for the children to collaborate and interact with each other allowing them to think scientifically and become curious by asking relevant questions posing different inquiries. This would correspond with the Curious Minds and ESERO Framework for Inquiry. Starting a series of lessons by introducing an inquiry by a playful prompt- as playful learning experiences are so important throughout the curriculum. For example dropping a familiar object such a toy and presenting the simple question ‘Why did that toy fall?’ might encourage the children to openly question the idea, explore further and engage with potential answers amongst their peers. Having an opportunity to pair and share ideas with peers would allow them time to become infused in the ideas and naturally engaged. As group work a small enquiry may be set up, and the idea of making sensible predictions first could be modelled by the teacher.
Children should be given the opportunity to decide what they would like to investigate for example, different objects something that is significantly different to another object such as a feather and a tennis ball. Taking recordings of ideas is key and in the lower classes can be as diagrams and pictures to illustrate what items were tested and results if needed. This takes the pressure off children who are less literate and unable to write.
When children are given the opportunity to investigate and carry out the experiment it is important that they have time to converse with their peers and feedback their findings as they go along. This gives time for the children to build vocabulary skills. Providing children with key vocabulary and sentence starters at the beginning in useful in allowing them to use phrases that are relevant. Reflection time should be given at the end and children should talk about what they noticed. Giving ample opportunity for the children to consider new questions is fundamental in them understanding the bigger picture and how it links to the overall topic of space. Showing a video of what might happen on the moon for instance would work well here. Posing deeper thinking questions such as Does the heavier objects fall quicker than the lighter ones? Making Science exciting and fun yet meaningful and engaging is so important for the curious minds. Allowing them to become young scientists from an early stage in their education is key in ensuring they will continue to enjoy Science later in life especially at Secondary Level.
I remember using the same book when I was teaching in England. We also made moons using plaster of Paris which was so effective. To begin the Space topic I showed a short film about Neil Armstrong’s journey to the Moon which was a fantastic starting point for learning about the Earth and space. I also made small planets from balloons and large model to hang on display boards.
Hello everyone,
My name is Amanda and I have nearly 20 years experience of teaching across the age ranges. I was teaching Senior Infants this year and I will be moving up to first class in September. I have always had a personal interest in Space and remember teaching it to my first class in the UK and creating large modules of the planets along the corridor which was so engaging and fun using a variety of materials.
I am looking forward to learning during this course and hope we have a chance to engage with each other throughout the next few weeks.
