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Hi Sean,
I like this idea and it definitely makes sense when you see how engaged the children would be with it.
I would introduce the concept of stars by using a stars activity set. We’d start with a 15-minute discussion, sitting in a circle, where I’d use pebbles to represent stars. I would ask the children if there are more stars than the pebbles they see, gradually increasing the number to illustrate how many stars exist. I’d ask, “Have you seen stars?” I would show a picture of a starry sky and explain that stars emit light and are most visible at night, while the Sun, a star, is too bright during the day to see others. After this the children would paint an A4 sheet to resemble the night sky and use toothbrushes to splatter paint stars in different colors. In the final 15 minutes, we would discuss their paintings and use the Artists Chair at the top of the class and complete a worksheet where they draw and count stars, reinforcing their understanding.
Hi Laura, I like this idea,
I feel going outside is a big factor also for me as it incorporates different subjects. I also like the ending of your lesson which would look at the misconceptions.
That was a very interesting module I would choose the “Sun & Shadows” activity. It starts with a discussion to find out what the children already know about shadows and how they are made. We would then read Moonbear’s Shadow by Mr Ashe. While reading, I would guide the children to notice how the shadow changes in size and position with the sun in the pictures. After the story, the children would create models of Moonbear, the fish, and the pond from the book. Once the models are ready, they would use a torch to act as the sun and experiment with creating shadows using Moonbear. We would also go outside at different times of the day to observe how our shadows change as the sun moves across the sky. Finally, the children could draw pictures or write simple sentences to record what they have learned about shadows.
Hi Aisling, that sounds interesting, my name is Mike and I’m doing some courses this year that I don’t have much knowledge about!
I love your fun fact. One of mine is based on How Venus time is so different to us in Earth!
Astronaut Training
To understand what astronauts do and the physical skills needed for space travel.
Materials:
Simple obstacle course setup (e.g., cones, hoops
Pictures or videos of astronauts in space
Paper and crayons for drawing
Show a short video of astronauts working in space. Ask, “What do astronauts do in space?”Investigation:
Set up an obstacle course that simulates astronaut training (e.g., crawling under tables, balancing on a line).
After the “training,” have students draw themselves as astronauts, showing what they would do in space.Students share their drawings and describe their astronaut tasks.
Discuss what skills and tools astronauts need and why training is important for space travel.
Hi David, you make some excellent points here, I like your idea based on some practical activities in preparing seafood dishes, especially for those children who may be a little fussier than others.
Some great points here David, as you say you are in a city school, similar to me. I feel the field trips idea is great, especially to local recycling centres, one advantage we would have in the city is the amount of these centres around.
I live in an urban apartment complex with a nearby park that offers a unique perspective on sustainability. Despite the hustle and bustle of city life, there are numerous ways in which sustainability is woven into the fabric of our community. Recycling Programs: Our apartment complex has an organized recycling program that encourages residents to separate waste. There are clearly labeled bins for paper, plastic, glass, and organic waste. This initiative reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills and promotes the recycling of materials (apart from confusion/anger over the deposit scheme!) Water Conservation: Low-flow fixtures and regular maintenance checks help in conserving water. How I would integrate this with my students is through interactive lessons, field trips, gardening, projects, guest speakers.
Understanding why seafood is good for us is important for our health and for nature. Especially in a role as a teacher, we want to make sure children look up to us, some fun ways we could use this with fish is to bring in attractive and colourful sushi and to promote positive language around it. Seafood, like fish and shellfish, gives us protein for strong muscles and omega-3 fats that help our hearts and brains. In school learning about seafood teaches us why it’s good to eat different kinds of food. Seafood also gives us important minerals like iodine and zinc that keep us healthy. We can also learn about protecting the oceans and the animals that live there. Studying seafood helps us understand how to fish responsibly and take care of our environment. By learning about seafood, we can choose healthier foods, understand how our food choices affect nature, and respect the different ways people eat around the world.
I enjoyed this module and it gave me a good insight into location location location, speaking to my father who spent many a year down in the country we spoke about the importance of this to Ireland, aquaculture farms along Ireland’s coastline are a real boon for local communities. They’re not just about growing seafood it’s about creating jobs that keep young people close to home and support local businesses. The weather here plays a crucial role it’s just right for aquaculture, not too hot or cold, which means consistent production and top-notch seafood. Which I’m partial too myself!
There also hubs of economic activity. They drive demand for equipment, feed, and services, benefiting suppliers and local shops alike. Plus, they draw tourists interested in sustainable seafood practices and the beauty of coastal Ireland, which boosts hospitality and restaurant industries.
Coming from an Inner City School in Dublin I was keen to go out of my comfort zone for a summer course and I was keen to take the challenge on with this course. After going over the 1st module I would really hope the students in my class would be super excited to learn all about Aquaculture even though we are not near the sea! I was particularly interested in the virtual field trips to aquaculture farms and interactive modules that can make learning more engaging. Students can explore different aspects of aquaculture in a hands-on manner, which helps in better retention and understanding. A link is that Touring Van that goes around Ireland with a staggering wait list showing that engagement levels must be through the roof. Students become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of industries like aquaculture which can foster a sense of environmental stewardship.
