[Roisin McLarnon]

Science lessons on Life cycle of a frog for first class / senior infants

🐸 Lesson Series: Life Cycle of a Frog
📘 Lesson 1: Introduction to Frog Life Cycle
Objective: Understand the four main stages: Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult Frog

Activity: Watch this colorful and kid-friendly video: The Life Cycle of a Frog | Science for Kids
Discussion Questions:

What is frogspawn?
What does a tadpole look like?
How does a froglet change into an adult frog?

🖍️ Lesson 2: Diagram & Labeling
Objective: Identify and label each stage of the frog’s life cycle

Worksheet: Use this printable diagram to label the stages Label Frog Life Cycle Printout – Enchanted Learning
Activity: Color each stage and draw arrows to show the cycle

✂️ Lesson 3: Cut and Stick Activity
Objective: Reinforce sequencing and stage recognition

Printable Activity: Life Cycles Cut and Paste Frog – RSD School District
Instructions:

Cut out the pictures and names of each stage
Stick them in the correct order on a blank sheet
Add your own drawings or stickers for fun!

🎥 Lesson 4: Deeper Dive with Dr. Binocs
Objective: Explore metamorphosis in a fun animated format

Video: Life Cycle Of A Frog! – The Dr. Binocs Show
Follow-up: Ask kids to act out each stage with movements (wiggle like a tadpole, hop like a frog!)

🧠 Lesson 5: Quiz Time!
Objective: Test knowledge in a playful way
I will develop a quiz using one of the AI tools which will test knowledge in a fun way

🐸 More Frog Activities for Kids
🎨 Arts & Crafts
Paper Plate Frog Craft Use green paper plates, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners to make adorable frogs.

🧪 Science & Sensory
Sensory Pond Bin Fill a bin with blue water beads, plastic frogs, lily pads, and rocks to mimic a pond habitat.
Life Cycle Puzzle Laminate and cut out frog life cycle stages for a hands-on sequencing puzzle.

🎲 Games & Movement
Lily Pad Leapfrog Tape green lily pad shapes on the floor and have kids leap from one to another like frogs
Frog Straw Relay Kids use straws to carry tissue paper frogs across the room using suction

As an extension to this the children could discuss what other lifecycles they could find out about using AI . They should be encouraged to give detailed promos and ask for the information to be presented in diagram / pictures / short clips etc if they work in groups and then present their findings to the class.

[Roisin McLarnon]

I have only used Kahoot! But it is great to be exposed to other options . Delighted to learn about Quizizz for the coming year. They always are a great tool in the classroom .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Having looked at a lot of the GenAI tools that have been suggested in the classroom I was particularly drawn to the Khan kids academy and its use in the classroom .
I will be having Infants in Sept so I know that emotions and social development will be to the forefront . I looked at what was on their app and much of it appealed to me and I will definitely use it . I then asked chat Gpt to use the material available to create a week of  lessons . The response was impressive and I believe will cut down on the work of the teacher providing the right prompts are given .

🟢 Monday – Naming Emotions

App Activity: Watch a story like “How Are You Feeling?”
Discussion: Ask, “How do the characters feel? Have you ever felt that way?”
Follow-up: Children draw a face showing how they feel today.

🔵 Tuesday – Managing Emotions
App Activity: Try a mindfulness or breathing exercise (found in “Circle Time” videos).
Practice: Teach the class “Belly Breathing” with Kodi.
Follow-up: Make a calm-down corner with visual cues from the app.

🟣 Wednesday – Kindness & Friendship
App Activity: Watch a story about sharing or helping a friend.
Discussion: “What does a good friend do?” Write responses together.
Role Play: Children act out friendship scenes.

🟡 Thursday – Problem Solving
App Activity: Story or video where characters resolve a problem together.
Discussion: “What happened? What choices did they make?”
Follow-up: Introduce simple solution cards (“Stop. Think. Choose.”)

🔴 Friday – Reflection & Sharing
App Activity: Free choice SEL story or mindfulness activity.
Group Reflection: “What did we learn this week about feelings?”
Art/Story Time: Draw or tell a story about helping a friend or feeling brave.

[Roisin McLarnon]

Not having used Khan academy before I will certainly take time to look at it before September .I see it is not just maths but includes other subject areas . Like the idea of regular use and that you can  individualise it .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Part 1
Give two examples of how you can use some of the tools identified in this module to improve your own teaching, learning and assessment.
Part 2
Reflect on the potential classroom use of these examples and the other AI tools covered in Module 3 and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.

I can see myself using Co Pilot Image creator to generate images to help children with descriptive writing, particularly in the narrative writing genre for the older classes .I will also try to use for oral language discussions. It would also be a great way to create pictures and stories for the younger children.when you have multi stream classes it will be a very useful tool.

I also would use Diffit to differentiate curriculum content by adapting texts and generating questions that would allow children to access at their own.

Part 2

Reading Coach is an AI tool that I would like to introduce . It seems like a great way for children to practise fluency and decoding at their own level and pace. I think it could really benefit some of my reluctant readersand the competent readers .it is something that could be introduced a couple of times a week and after a period reflect with the pupils how it was going and assess the benefits of it .

I could see myself using the Magic Schools tools to create resources on different areas of the curriculum .I’m looking forward to using Magic Schools Maths tool also with senior infants  as it is very user friendly . It can be personalised to class and they become a part of the word problems or whatever activity you design. All these tools will enhance learning and assessment and will save time for the teacher .

I also will delve more into Gamma and its use to produce multi media  presentations on topics which can be national or local .The local geography or history and changes that have occurred over the years . The uses are extensive . . This will make teaching and learning more fun and exciting .

Exciting times ahead with the help of AI tools .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Part 1
Give two examples of how you can use some of the tools identified in this module to improve your own teaching, learning and assessment.
Part 2
Reflect on the potential classroom use of these examples and the other AI tools covered in Module 3 and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.

I can see myself using Co Pilot Image creator to generate images to help children with descriptive writing, particularly in the narrative writing genre for the older classes .I will also try to use for oral language discussions. It would also be a great way to create pictures and stories for the younger children.when you have multi stream classes it will be a very useful tool.

I also would use Diffit to differentiate curriculum content by adapting texts and generating questions that would allow children to access at their own.

Part 2

Reading Coach is an AI tool that I would like to introduce . It seems like a great way for children to practise fluency and decoding at their own level and pace. I think it could really benefit some of my reluctant readersand the competent readers .it is something that could be introduced a couple of times a week and after a period reflect with the pupils how it was going and assess the benefits of it .

I could see myself using the Magic Schools tools to create resources on different areas of the curriculum .I’m looking forward to using Magic Schools Maths tool also with senior infants  as it is very user friendly .It ties in nicely as an extension to the new Primary Maths Curriculum , incorporating word problems in a fun filled meaningful way while keeping track on each students progress and offering positive feedback in turn. It can be personalised to class and they become a part of the word problems or whatever activity you design. All these tools will enhance learning and assessment and will save time for the teacher .

I also will delve more into Gamma and its use to produce multi media  presentations . This will make teaching and learning more fun and exciting .

Exciting times ahead with the help of AI tools .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Also looking forward to engaging with reading coach over the next academic year . Hopefully will help myself and the children to improve reading fluency and accuracy .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Based on what you have learned in this module, how do you think AI can transform the teaching and learning experience in your classroom? Provide specific examples and potential benefits and discuss any challenges you might face in implementing AI tools.

 

I would have been wary of using AI in the classroom before engaging in this course . I suppose it is because of lack of knowledge and being lead through small steps that I can integrate it into my planning , teaching and assessment .I can see huge benefits it has assisting the preparation of lessons and suggestions that would make the lessons more engaging and fun lessons .

I could see how I would use it to make individual worksheets and activities in phonics and reading comprehension work . I will engage more with Immersive Reader and making more personalised learning for all readers both the struggling child and the more capable reader. I will also be trying to make assessments of work covered like quizzes etc.
I also enjoyed learning about MathaiX and the tailored maths support given by it .I will also look into The Khan academy

I also will engage with the RTE Dream Space lessons and see where these will take me in teaching in the classroom .The challenge for me will be to engage with something new and use it to support my teaching and children’s learning .

[Roisin McLarnon]

I actually thought this experiment in China to monitor a child’s concentration is terrible . It is another level of abuse . Perhaps class sizes should be looked at there must have been 50 kids in the class. It was a form of control to me , terrible for the child who finds it hard to behave or think in an expected way .

[Roisin McLarnon]

Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.

Having only used AI for drafting letters and getting main points from circulars I have found module 1 informative. It was good to have a look at co pilot , Gemini and Chat GPT and get direction on how to use them for everyday life activities like menu , activities etc.

Going forward I can see how AI will support teaching , learning and assessment and hopefully as we go through this course I will gain confidence in using it in the classroom . I hope to learn how to create interactive activities, worksheets tailor made for a child’s needs and video presentations which could clarify phonic rules etc. Being able to generate worksheet on phonics and reading comprehensions that are tailored to the learning in the classroom will only reinforce the work covered. I could see a more interactive assessments could be designed and will engage a child more readily and bring more fun to the activities.

I would also hope to learn to be more efficient in my notes etc .

We should embrace AI and use it in the classroom to support teaching and learning and make our classroom have a more varied and engaging learning environment .

[Roisin McLarnon]

I agree that we need to view this as a tool to support the leaning experiences and not as a replacement for the teacher. We use it to enhance the learning experience.

[Roisin McLarnon]

I agree I did not include aquaculture in my classroom but will definitely will be introducing it to my class teaching going forward.

[Roisin McLarnon]

As we know agriculture is is the preferred farming that takes place on the good terrain .Along the coastline of Ireland we tend to have mountainous rugged land which is poor animal or arable  farming conditions. It is in these areas along our coastline we see the development of aquaculture.We see an increasing number of salmon , mussels and oyster farm along the Western seaboard especially .These farms can be small family run business to larger farms that we can see with the salmon fisheries. From seeing them along the shores of the river Foyle they are gradually expanding and contributing more to the economy. They may employ small numbers directly and the work may be part time but the contribution to the local economy reaches further. Providing fresh produce to the local restaurants and shops creates more awareness and encourages people to eat more fish. This is a goal of the aquaculture industry. We are an island nation and should be using our asset of the fantastic coastline with clean waters to produce some of the best seafood in the world.This module has been very informative with regards climate and sea currents and I can see it of being of interest to kids .

[Roisin McLarnon]

<p style=”direction: rtl;”>Children nowadays are much more aware of climate change and the impact we are having on our environment . As a Green school we have tried to make lifestyle changes that will have an impact and that everyone can do. As a school we looked at lunches and already having followed the food dudes programme the children were bringing healthy lunches .We therefore looked at packaging and now look for the drink to be brought in a reuseable container and for the kids to bring sandwiches and fruit etc. in the containers provided by food dudes or reusageable  packaging. Uneaten food is brought home for composing or simlply to feed the birds in winter. We encourage teachers to have blinds open and as much natural light as possible and each week weather permitting would have an outside lesson . The school has a small garden with wildflowers and in May we leave a section if the school grass unmowed for a few weeks . There is an active tidy towns group and kids get involved with it . I think going forward we will try to get kids to look at food labelling and include the aquaculture lessons available . Looking at the variety of labels and explaining them will be our next objective and raise awareness of sustainable farming in fishing and the nutritional benefits seafood .I think we all know the word sustainability but we really need to teach the kids what it means to practice it .s</p>

[Roisin McLarnon]

I thouroughly enjoyed this module on Nutrition and Seafood  and I think it is important and invaluable for Kids to learn about nutrition from an early age. Integrating the nutrition of seafood into classroom teaching is something that teachers do but in the past I have brushed over the importance of seafood.This course as highlighted it importance and the need to promote seafood is a rich source of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Educating students about these nutritional benefits within lessons on the Food Pyramid and perhaps looking at seafood in more detail would be of benefit.
This Irish legend  ‘The salmon of Knowledge’  not only links to cultural heritage but also could also be used to show the significance of salmon as a nutritious food. We could talk about our oceans ,rivers and loughs and the sea life that lives within them .
I really liked the game of the “I Spy” lesson as it can be a fun and interactive way to teach students how to examine food labelsand leeading to kids  learning to make informed, sustainable choices and recognising which seafood products are responsibly sourced.
Having followed the Food Dude programme I think we could move a step in the direction of aquaculture and highlight the importance of seafood in our diet.The more exposure kids have of thing the will be more willing to try and enjoy.

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