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Topic: rockets.
To introduce this topic in my classroom and to capture the children’s attention I would begin with a storybook I have in my classroom entitled ‘zoom, rocket, zoom’ . I would then should them a video showing rockets launching into space. We would then have circle time discussions about what rockets are, why we use them, and what makes them fly. I’d encourage the children to share their ideas and ask questions.
I would then set up some hands on activities in my classroom related to rockets:
One station would involve designing and building simple paper or straw rockets. The children will test how far they travel when launched using straws or air pressure.
Another station can make rockets out of recycling material we will have collected in the school. Assembling and sticking the items together to make rockets would be good for their fine and gross motor skills along with developing their creativity.
Another station I would undertake the ‘balloon rocket’ science experiment. The children will love Marvin and Milo. I will not show them the ending of the comic strip however as I will elicit that from them when we are finished. We would get up the balloon and string. Children will see how air pushes the rocket forward. Throughout the activities, we’d talk about speed, distance, and direction, linking in early science and maths skills in a fun, hands-on way.
As a whole class we would create a display showing different types of rockets, adding photos and facts we learn together.
I would like to reiterate what other participants have said-this is a lovely space week plan. I was drawn to it as I have infants this year. It has cross curricular links integrated throughout which is brilliant. It has given me food for thought-we have never done a space week in our school and I think we could achieve it and build on it each year. To start the junior side of the school could come together to plan for their classes and the same with the senior side.
I would use hands-on themed activities to bring STEM learning to life in an engaging and meaningful way. I want to develop childrens curiosity and wonder.
In this module it was great to learn of so many resources to help me achieve the above objective.
I am adding them all to a resource bank to have for my return in September and am really looking forward to using them. I will also share them with my colleagues.I particularly liked the following resource: ‘Do Try This at Home’
My infants would enjoy getting to know the characters and the comic strips are a great introduction to a lesson. My infants would be engaged from the get go. The experiments are fun (and plentiful/adaptive) For me, the class teacher, I would feel very confident in delivering these lessons as it has step by step instructions and demonstration videos.And the other resource I also liked: Stellarium. It is an interactive resource. It brings space and the night sky into the classroom. It’s great you can download it aswell, allowing you to literally bring it anywhere. Children (and teacher!) would be fascinated by seeing a realistic sky in 3D.
I really enjoy reading other participants lesson ideas for different topics. It’s so useful for my own teaching going forward. Especially ideas for any hands on activities…with these activities children are more engaged and motivated and don’t even realise they’re learning.
I love your ‘blubber glove’ hands on activity Shauna. I had not heard of it before. This will definitely be added to one of my group stations going forward.
Space and Aliens.
I would read a storybook that I have in my classroom ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ We would also watch some child friendly videos about space following it to further arose their interest on the topic.
We would then have a discussion where we talk about what they think aliens might look like, where they might live, and what it would be like to visit space. In circle time I’d encourage them to share their ideas and questions. We would listen to all their thoughts and imaginations.
We would engage in activities after circle time. We would do an art table: they can create/design aliens with various art materials.
We would do a role play table; Astronauts plan a space mission/ communicate with ground control/explore a new planet and meet friendly aliens/Aliens teach astronauts how to live on their planet.We would do a construction table: using items from recycling bins they can construct different shape rockets.
Hi Dee. I have the book ‘How to catch a sta’ in my classroom. I enjoy using it in our space lessons. Another book I also use is ‘The darkest dark’ it is by astronaut Christ Hadfield.
Also great tip from Frances about doing it in winter so children have lots of time to see the stars before bed. I will definitely keep this in consideration when I am planning my yearly scheme.
The sun and shadows.
I would establish prior knowledge by engaging in a class discussion and asking “what is a shadow?”
We would then go outside when it is a sunny day. Every child would use a variety of objects to show that light travels in straight lines and how sunlight cannot pass through solid objects, resulting in shadows. This is a lovely hands on activity.
To get them thinking critically I would ask further questions like “Where did the light come from?” and “Why is your shadow dark?” We would discuss that our bodies are solid objects and show them their shadow. Light is blocked from getting there. They can have different movements and their shadow will be the same.
As an extra activity children will then pair up and each person will draw their partners shadow. This reinforces that a shadow is a dark shape matching the outline of the object.
Children will observe (depending on how fast they draw the shadow outlines) that the shadow has moved. We will chat about about how the earth is always moving.
These activities are hands on and practical. They are also fun and rememberable. Science is fun!
I really like your planet lesson Siobhan. I am also in an infant class this year so love getting ideas to bring back for September. They’ll have lots of fun at the gravity table trying to colour and write haha.
The different stations are a great idea. Keeps them all busy and engaged. I must incorporate this into my lessons.
Hi everyone. I teach infants in a large rural school. Infants love space as a topic and I would like to widen my own knowledge/ideas on the topic.
My favourite space fact is that space is completely silent.
An inquiry based activity I would do with my class is on the topic ‘What do plants need to grow?’
I would try catch their attention by showing them two plants: one that is alive and one that is dead.
We would discuss the differences/why this may be so.
We would carry out a simple experiment together.
4 pots: one with sunlight/water/air, one with sunlight/air, one with water/air and one with water/sunshine (pots will be labeled)
Over the next week or two pupils would observe the simple changes.
They will record their findings through drawings or simple writing.
They would share their observations with their peers and myself.Hi Katie.
I will be teaching junior infants this year. I love reading posts and ideas that are relevant to my class level. This is a gorgeous inquiry based learning experience. Infants learning without even realising it as they having so much fun with this hands on experiment on the bears. Motivation will be high.
