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Rockets – 2nd class
In the past I have only taught senior classes and every year without fail we have made baking soda rockets with vinegar and baking soda. It has always been an memorable lesson – and one that is always mentioned in their end of year lesson highlights.
This year I am moving to 2nd class. I would indeed try the baking soda rockets but I might start with the mouse rockets – how does it travel what are the forces at play? The we could move onto the vitamin tablet rockets and baking soda rockets discussing that a chemical reaction takes place.
As I teach in a school in Co. Mayo we are very lucky lucky to have Dr. Norah Patten on our door step. I would integrate her ask me anything into the lesson to get children thinking about the life of an astronaut and the training in which they have to undergo. https://youtu.be/lKmNVNCbORY?si=eXxPO46O0-lgiNpu
In our school library we also have Norah’s book Shooting for the Stars which we would read as a whole class. We would try to imagine what it would be like to be an astronaut in space. We would watch Chris Hadfield videos – how to brush your teeth in space. https://youtu.be/3bCoGC532p8?si=l0UtywH60cV6kIfQ
In Drama & Art we would use Shaun Tan’s creations Creature to discuss wither Aliens & other life forms might exist in space, through Hot seating and conscious Alley. Children could draw themselves as astronaut exploring space with or without their new found friends.
Aaron this is a great example of lessons laid out for 2nd class. I will also be teaching 2nd class this year and this has giving me plenty of food for thought. GRMA
ESRO Resource – Where do you live?
We would look at the homes in our locality and draw a map of our homes. We would discuss materials used to build homes in the west of Ireland – what would we need to use to insulate / keep air tight etc
Then I would look at other homes around the world – how they are build differently to adapt to different climates. In pairs I would encourage children to construct different houses – using various materials. Compare differences & similarities between the homes. We would use Google maps to use street view on different homes. Using a variety of aerial photos / maps and personal photos to view and discuss. I would invite parents in from different countries to talk about their homes & cultures.
This would tie into the theme of Sa Bhaile & Réamhaisnéis na háimsire. Link to Music Cúigear féar ag tógáil tí.
Link to ART construction of a village using different boxes.
This is a gorgeous lesson – we’ll explained and planed out. I will be sure to try it in my 2nd class this year
Aliens in Space
Firstly I would try to elict from the children their current knowledge or belief on Aliens. What do they think Aliens loom like? If an alien visited our classroom what would they need to know?
1 Link with Art
Children would draw a picture of their alien. They should incorporate features/ what does the alien look like? what is their diet? Where do they live? What is their ecosystem like? What is their diet? How do they survive?
2. Link with Drama
Children will have an opportunity to hot seat as their alien – being interviewed by the other children. This will further help to develop their characterisations.
3. Link with English
Based on The information developed during the hot seating activities children would write an informational profile about their alien introducing them to the group. We would finish the class by asking the children if they believe there were Aliens in space.
This is a lovely idea. The letter from the little boy could link in with a drama lesson and TiR. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
I think this is a great concept. I will incorporate the man in the moon as part of a lesson for 2nd class.
The Moon
I would teach a lesson based on The cycles of the moon. First I would start with a KWL chart to elict what prior knowledge the children have on the moon.
Next I would play the video paxi & the moon phases. We would observe how the moon rotates around the earth and how the phases of the moon appear differently based on depending on the hemisphere in which you live.
We would do an extention lesson on space travel and the first man to walk on the moon. We would watch the video of Neil Armstrong and discuss how he needed space suit / zero gravity etc .
A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit the museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow. I would show photos from my visit and learn about Laika the first dog in space.
We would make a model of the moon during art class – paper mache. And further develop this into learning about the moons place in our solar system.
I think is a lovely lesson – we’ll planned out and one which will engage the class. I must try it out with my class this year – I always enjoy a cross curricular lesson with the arts
Also I would review if any predictions made were correct. What properties did these materials have?
Mindmap: Planets, Mars, Saturn, Sun , Galaxies, Aliens, Milky Way, Space Station, The Moon, Rockets, Research, Space Travel, NASA, Zero Gravity, Asteroids, Shooting Stars, Stars, Silence, Black hole
I will be moving to 2nd class on September – I look forward to trying out this lesson. It sounds great.
An inquiry based lesson:
One lesson I have used in the past is how to keep Teddy dry – what will we use to make his raincoat?
First the children brain storm materials which they might use and discuss wither these would keep teddy dry – keep note of there predictions .
Next in groups allow the children to test the materials: wool, paper, tin foil, cotton, rubber etc by dropping water on them
in conclusion allow children to cut out a rain coat for teddy in their most suitable material & sick it on a premade teddy template.
Hello Everyone! My name is Maria and I’m moving from 6th class to 2nd class this year. I don’t have a favourite fact about space but I had the opportunity to meet Norah Patten last year at a STEM event for schools. She really inspired our students to become involved in STEM specifically women in space. And even better she’s a local girl!
