[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Michael

Stellarium is a fantastic resource to use in the classroom. You can focus on the sky in your own location to get an accurate view and encourage the pupils to note what they could see later in the evening.

There are many constellations on Stellarium and you could link with history to research the story behind some of the constellations or create a profile as you have mentioned. Similarly, there is an activity online to make a 3D model of The Plough/Big Dipper which may class have really enjoyed. While they make stars of different sizes they are of different lengths which allows for integration with Maths.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Mark

Welcome to the course. I agree that the mindful observations will help pupils connect with their learning and recognise the patterns in nature. Taking the time and encouraging the pupils to sit and observe across the day and over a period of time would build on their observation skills and as you have said noting the location of the sun in relation to landmarks or trees in the school grounds. The stick and shadow will also provide for lots of critical thinking and discussion. You could consider taking photos of this across the day for comparison also.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Julie,

You have lots of lovely ideas for thematic planning around the night sky theme. It would be lovely to explore these during Space Week in October to incorporate lots of language development as you have mentioned and also to link with play based learning.

Thematic planning gives the pupils lots of opportunities to use the topic specific vocabulary in different contexts and make connections across subjects specific to the night sky.

Starry Night by Van Gogh is always a great art lesson across all ages. Thanks for sharing

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Stephanie

Thanks for sharing lot of ideas on exploring the weather across different classes. Pupils love weather proverbs and weather lore. I have asked my own class to chat to their older relatives about weather proverbs and they loved it, I think this oral part of history is often forgotten and it can be brought to the fore when exploring weather in Geography.

Through creating their own weather station the pupils begin to take ownership of their own learning and will also get to work with their own real life data making graphs as you have said. I also like how you plan to team up with a school in another country to explore weather patterns and climate there. This would be fascinating for the pupils.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi John

The Paxi video would help to build pupils knowledge and understanding and this could be further developed with the use of the Teal Tool. I like how you plan to get different groups to explore different areas using the Teal tool and presenting this information in different ways to allow for multiple means of representation (UDL). Pupils can also show their learning and encourage others to make small changes and as you have said to be more mindful of the environment. I think it is important to focus on the positive actions pupils can do to empower them to make changes and encourage others to do so too.

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Dolores,

Exploring nocturnal animals through images, videos and stories is a great approach for third class pupils. It would encourage lots of discussion on the effects of light pollution on these animals. I like how you are planning for multiple ways for the students to create their own Dark Sky Place including digital tools. It is a fantastic way for all pupils to engage in the task suited to their own individual strengths.

A multi-curricular approach to the Dark Sky Place will make connections with real-life scenarios and many areas of the curriculum and as you have said this will empower the pupils to make changes where they can.

 

[Michelle Mannix]

Hi Emma,

The visibility of the Northern Lights in Ireland has made so many people aware of light pollution in their area. I too struggled to see the Northern Lights due to light pollution just outside a small town. But, I have noticed they have down lighters on the street lamps so there is some knowledge of reducing light pollution in my area.

Through the use of photos of different areas at night and the level of light pollution you can make the pupils aware of what they can and cannot see at night in their local area. You could also make the pupils more aware of the effects of light pollution on nocturnal animals. I like how you plan to demonstrate their thoughts about reducing light pollution in different ways.

[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.

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