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<p class=”isSelectedEnd”>Wow Orla this is a fantastic collection of ideas! I love how you have included such a wide range of songs, art activities and books that would really help children connect with the night sky in different ways. The art ideas in particular would work so well in a classroom display and allow children to explore their creativity while learning about space.</p>
There are some brilliant book choices here, especially How to Catch a Star and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, which would be perfect for younger children. I will definitely be taking some of these ideas and adapting them for my 1st/2nd class next year. They would be a lovely way to combine literacy, art and science while encouraging children’s curiosity about the night sky.As our school is very multicultural, this project will celebrate the different traditions, stories and piseógs connected to the night from the many cultures represented in our school community. Pupils will be encouraged to talk to their parents, grandparents or family members to collect a story, belief or tradition about the night, the Moon, stars or darkness. We will especially encourage families from different countries to share stories from their own cultures, helping us learn about the rich diversity within our school.
Pupils can present their story through writing, drawings, artwork or a digital recording. Each class will create a display area in the school hall to showcase their work. Every class will have a dedicated space to share their learning with the wider school community.
This project will encourage pupils to value their own heritage and the cultures of others. It will strengthen links between home and school while helping children discover the many fascinating stories and traditions connected to the night sky.
I really like this idea. It is lovely to have such a nice nature trail and historical site so close to your school. We are lucky in Foxford, Co. Mayo to have some lovely trails too, and I often take my class on nature walks when possible. The children really enjoy learning outdoors and are always excited to spot different plants, birds and insects. Giving them clipboards and a checklist really makes them feel important!! I also like how you linked biodiversity with light pollution. It is a great way to help pupils understand how small actions, such as reducing unnecessary lighting, can make a big difference for wildlife and help protect our local environment.
To support nocturnal species in our school biodiversity plan, 1st and 2nd class pupils will learn about animals such as bats, owls, hedgehogs and moths, and why they need dark skies to survive. Through stories, pictures and class discussions, pupils will learn that many animals are active at night and depend on darkness to find food, stay safe and care for their young. They will also discover how bright artificial lights can affect wildlife and why reducing light pollution is important.
As part of the project, pupils will explore the school grounds and discuss simple ways to make them more friendly for the wildlife in our area. They will create a “Keep Our Nights Dark” campaign by designing posters to encourage turning off outdoor lights. They can also plant native flowers to attract insects, providing food for bats and other wildlife.
Using Book Creator, pupils will create a digital class book with drawings and short voice recordings explaining why dark skies are important and how we can protect them. The finished book will be shared with families to raise awareness of light pollution. This project will help pupils understand biodiversity and show them that small actions can make a big difference in protecting local wildlife and our night skies.
That is a great idea Rachel and drawing the comparison would really bring it to life for the children. Having worked in Dublin myself for a number of years it always struck me difference in the night sky between Dublin and home in Mayo and really highlighted light pollution.
I teach in a 1st/2nd class multigrade setting. This project is entitled Night Sky Guardians with home and school links. Pupils will learn why dark skies are important and how they can help reduce light pollution. They will discuss the difference between a dark sky and a brightly lit sky. They will learn about nocturnal animals especially those in our locality and why they need darkness. Pupils will also complete a simple night sky observation at home with an adult and create a “Protect Our Night Sky” poster. They will be asked to become nighttime detectives by ensuring unnecessary lights are turned off at home.
Using Book Creator, pupils will make a class digital book. They will add a drawing and record a short voice message explaining one way they can help protect the night sky. The finished book will be shared with families to raise awareness of the importance of protecting dark skies.
Love the idea to use Nasa Moon Guide would definitely use that in my own class and be a great way to engage the children and the plan is very easy to follow. Personally I would plan to do it up until Christmas as I feel doing it for the whole year would be very difficult to maintain engagement with my class (I teach 1st/2nd) but that plan is very clearly laid out.
As a teacher of 1st/2nd multigrade I would like to put a plan in place to observe the Moon in the morning for this school year 2026/27. The best time is when the Moon is high in the sky during the morning and is easy to see before lunchtime, making it ideal for observations during the school day.
For the start of the school year 26/27 school year, the best dates are: 8-10 September 2026, 4-8 October 2026 2-6 November 2026 3-8 December 2026.
For my 1st/2nd class, I would bring the children outside on one of these mornings to look for the Moon. We would talk about its shape, draw what we see and compare our drawings over several weeks. We would also discuss why we can sometimes see the Moon during the day. This simple activity encourages observation, questioning and curiosity while helping pupils understand that the Moon changes shape throughout the month.
I really like this idea. I taught 5th and 6th class for many years and found that pupils learned best when they were actively involved. I believe science should be something you do, not something you just read about. Watching the Sun, making predictions and recording shadows will help pupils understand the topic in a fun and meaningful way.
As I teach a multi-grade 1st and 2nd class, I would make this activity simple and practical. We would choose a sunny area in the school yard, away from buildings and trees, to build our sundial.
The pupils would place a stick upright in the ground. At different times during the day, we would look at the shadow and mark where it falls using chalk. We would write the time beside each mark. Over a few days, pupils would see how the shadow moves as the Sun changes position in the sky.
This activity helps pupils understand how the Sun and shadows work. It also develops their observation and recording skills. We could link it with Maths by measuring the length of the shadow and comparing it at different times. Pupils could also decorate the finished sundial during Art. This is a fun, hands-on activity that encourages curiosity, teamwork and learning outdoors.
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.
