[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Pauline

Welcome to the course. I really like how you plan to incorporate the observing plan as active homework. I am sure your class will be delighted to engage in this activity rather than the books. I also like how you plan to record observations across a couple of months to record differences and to see different planets.

Stellarium is a great resource for pupils and their parents to access at home. I have used it in the class and some of my own class went on to investigate the site more at home. I can see how a focused observation would work well with the site to guide their observations and give them a focus.

Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Niamh,

Thanks for your thoughts on activity 3. It does allow for lots of practical pupil involvement as you have said. A KWL chart is a great way to assess the prior knowledge of the pupils and to establish a starting point to explore the concept of climate change. The video allows for lots of discussion too.

Allowing the pupils time to explore the Teal tool initially will then focus them when given a specific task. Pupils could then explore their own local area with a contrasting area in the world to compare the results and as you have said this will also develop their digital literacy skills.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Marie,

What a great idea to explore the light pollution map and raise awareness of why Dublin is most affected. I also really like how you plan to allow the pupils to create their own prototype of dark sky friendly lighting. It gives the pupils opportunities to discuss the importance of dark sky friendly lighting and to collaboratively create something to help. It would really empower the pupils that they can help and make a difference.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Jennifer

Welcome to the course. Exploring the sundial in history is a great introduction to the topic and would give the pupils time to explore the timeline and how the sundial works along with exploring shadows in the classroom before moving outside. By giving the pupils some knowledge they can make connections between the history of the sundial and creating their own.

I like how you have planned for skills development as the pupils observe the changes on the sundial. By creating a large sundial in the yard other classes could also explore the sundial. By completing this task across two days there are opportunities to compare results and clarify their thinking. Thanks for sharing this idea.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Aoife

Exploring the children’s own local area is always the best starting point, pupils can explore the biodiversity in their own local area, garden, park etc. and share their knowledge with the class. There are a variety of spotter guides that you could consider sharing with the pupils as they begin their exploration. I also think it is important to explicitly teach about nocturnal animals, as you have said children may not think of some animals as they do not see them regularly, teaching about these animals will raise awareness of the importance of dark skies and it is great that you plan to create dark corners or shelters for these nocturnal animals within the biodiversity plan.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Clare

What a great idea to link your urban school with a rural school to allow both schools the opportunity to make comparisons of the night sky in both areas. This would allow for lots of critical thinking and discussion and would allow for pupils to explore how to reduce the light pollution and make suggestions. I also like how you plan to develop home-school links through visibility tests at home with parental involvement. This would support their learning as they bring their own observations back to their class to share and discuss further. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Megan

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your lesson ideas to explore light in different approaches. The glass prism is an ideal introduction to the lesson as it allows for lots of discussion and curiosity and will give the teacher an idea of any prior knowledge the children have.

You have allowed for lots of exploration across the different stations and this would support an inquiry based approach as the children investigate and then ask questions which they can then plan to solve using the materials. You have lots of links to real-life examples such as mirror writing and convex lens. You could consider how to further develop their knowledge with a design and make task to consolidate what they have learned.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Jessica

Welcome to the course. Thanks for sharing your feedback on the lesson Nose Up High. I agree that there are lots of opportunities to develop vocabulary and to use the vocab in meaningful contexts. Having completed this activity with my own class it allow for lots of integration with English and Drama for vocabulary development.

I really like how to plan to develop the pupils’ knowledge of climate through the development of their own topic cards to share knowledge at home. It is a great way to explore the knowledge and understanding of the pupils and to build home-school links.

There are lots of great resources across this course, I hope you enjoy the course.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Roisin,

Welcome to the course. It is important to make connections to real-world problems with the pupils in order to fully engage in STEM. Design and make activities such as building a periscope can reinforce the concept of reflection and then allow for critical thinking and problem solving on the topic of light. I agree that we have to look beyond finding the ‘right answer’ as you have mentioned and it can be a difficult for pupils to change their mindset about this.

Through developing links with STEM and real-life activities and problems it will given the pupils more skills and understanding of the world around them as you have mentioned. Thanks for sharing.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Daniel

Welcome to the course.

Map making is a great opportunity for younger classes to explore their own classroom and school environment. Picture books are a great way to spark curiosity as you have said, with the infant classes I have used Rosie’s walk as an introduction to map making as they follow her trip around the farmyard.

GeoHive allows pupils to explore different landscapes as you have mentioned and it would introduce the pupils to real world contexts for mapping and make connections between their own maps and those online. You could also use it as a reflection with older classes, if they developed their own map first and then explored GeoHive and Google Maps and then reflected on how to enhance their own map.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Aisling

Welcome to the course.

It is important for the pupils to have some knowledge and understanding of gravity and the changes of gravity on different planets prior to developing the planet tubes. With a level of background knowledge it will ensure the planet tubes activity will consolidate their learning.

Similarly, creating different tubes and having the pupils research the planet in order to plan for the outside of the tube will allow for lots of creative work and multiple means of showing their learning. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Luke

Welcome to the course.

Thanks for sharing your plan to observe the sun during the day. It is important for the pupils to have reference points such as trees or poles in the school environment to compare shadows and direct their observations. I like how you plan to record their observations in different forms such as sketches or notes.

As you have mentioned marking the shadows on the yard will allow for hands on activities and learning in Science without needing lots of prep and also allow for pupils to reflect on their learning in a relaxed and engaging way.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Sinead,

As towns grow due to population increase or tourism the increased population would lead to more light pollution and as you have said this can further impact on biodiversity and also human health.

I really like your idea to compile a photo diary of the changing landscape of the town. It would allow for lots of critical thinking and discussion as they compare the photographs. I agree that as your direct their learning to their own local community pupils may get a deeper understanding of the problem and of how they can make changes in their own community. This would also develop scientific and social skills as you have mentioned.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Ciara,

Thanks for sharing your ideas to explore the concept of dark skies with the younger pupils. I also really like how you plan to develop home school links through the lights off evening. In doing so, you would hope to raise more awareness of light pollution in the community too. As you have said for these younger pupils it is important that they recognise how light affects the world in simple ways.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Conor,

Welcome to the course and thanks for sharing your thoughts on light pollution in your area.

It is important to allow for comparisons with a rural area to allow for critical thinking and as how you have mentioned allow the pupils to record their observations and discuss it. It is also a great idea to explore the changes that could be made in the local area such as shields on outdoor lights, the pupils could write their own letters to local councillors to further support these changes.

I hope you enjoy the course.

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