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I think Edwina has some great ideas. I like how she encourages the children to ask questions as I find this to be really important and figure things out for themselves instead of just being given the answers. Some children I find tend to want the answers instead of having to think for themselves. The hands-on activities would keep the children engaged while helping them build teamwork and problem-solving skills. I also think using tablets to record and share their learning is a great idea, and something the children would really enjoy.
I would use the Online Resources and Tools activity with my 2nd class because I think the children would really enjoy exploring space in a visual way. I would have the children working in pairs as I feel some might struggle using a computer. I think the children would love using Stellarium.
I would start the lesson by asking the children what they already know about the planets and stars. We would make a mind map together and add to it as we learn more.
I would then use one of the online space resources to show the children pictures of the planets, stars and the Solar System. We would look closely at the pictures and talk about what we notice. This would get the children talking and help build their vocabulary, which links with English.
For the main activity, the children would work in pairs to pick their favourite planet and draw a picture of it. They would then write a few simple facts about their planet and share their work with the class.
I like this activity because it brings together Science, English and Art, and gives the children a chance to ask questions, work together and learn about space in a fun way.Mind map: What is Space? Space is that massive area all around us, beyond Earth, where we find the Sun, Moon, stars, and all the other planets. We can also find galaxies, constellations, comets, asteroids and astronauts exploring space. What else is out there for us to discover, maybe aliens?
I think Lucy’s idea is really lovely. I love that she uses a star projector to light up the ceiling, it makes the sky feel more real and gets the children super excited right from the start. The constellation activities sound so creative and it gives the children lots of chances to use their imagination while learning about space. I also love that the lesson mixes science, art and storytelling together, which makes it fun and memorable again something they might be able to share with their friends and family. It sounds like an activity the children would really enjoy and would be talking about long after the lesson was over. It’s definitely one I hope to try myself this year.
<p class=”isSelectedEnd”>Mind map: What is Space? Space is that massive area all around us, beyond Earth, where we find the Sun, Moon, stars, and all the other planets. It is also home to galaxies, comets, asteroids and satellites. What else is out there for us to discover?</p>
I really like Aisling’s idea. I like how the story gets the children excited before they start looking at shadows themselves, it’s a great way to get younger children interested in the lesson at the beginning. Using the toy bear and torch is a great activity, and it lets the children explore and ask questions. I also like how the lesson connects science with art and literacy, and the superhero shadow activity at the end sounds like a fun way to wrap up the lesson, it’s also an activity they can be proud of their work. It’s the kind of activity the children would really enjoy and remember.
I would use the Stars activity set with my 2nd class because I think the children would enjoy learning about the night sky. I would start the lesson by asking the children what they already know about stars and again make use of a mind map and expand on it as we continue learning about stars. We would talk about when we can see stars and for homework ask them to look at the night sky and see what shapes thae can make out and to try encourage them to draw what they see. I would encourage the children to share their own ideas and experiences.
I would then show the class some pictures of the night sky and different stars. We would look closely at the pictures and talk about what we notice. This would help build the children’s vocabulary and encourage lots of discussion. This would link well with English.
For the main activity, the children would create their own night sky picture using black paper and white and yellow paint. They could use their fingers or cotton buds to print stars onto the paper. This would give the children the chance to be creative while also developing their fine motor skills.
I like this activity because it is hands on and suitable for 2nd class. It links Science with Art and gives the children plenty of opportunities to talk, ask questions and share their work. I think it would be an enjoyable lesson and would help the children become more interested in learning about space
Activity Set: The Planets
I could use this activity with my 2nd Class to help the children learn about the planets in a fun and simple way. I’d start by asking them if they have any prior knowledge and to use a mind map to write down what they already know, they could then build on this map as the weeks progress and they’ve gained a better understanding.
I could begin by showing pictures of the planets and asking the children what they notice about them, such as their colours, sizes and shapes.
Next, I could teach the children a song about the planets to help them remember their names and the order they are in. Singing the song together a few times would make it fun and help the children remember the information. Could even encourage some movements to make it more enjoyable and it also creates a great opportunity for some movement breaks.
The children could then work in small groups to put pictures of the planets in the correct order from the Sun. This would encourage them to talk, share ideas and work together.
To finish, I could get them to make a project at home or in school that would be displayed on our corridor.
Mind map: What is space? Space is that massive area all around us, beyond Earth, where we find the Sun, Moon, stars, and all the other planets. What else is out there for us to discover?
I think Linda’s idea about designing a space suit is brilliant. It’s a really creative way to get kids thinking about what astronauts need to survive in space. I love that it’s hands on and encourages them to ask questions and come up with their own solutions. It sounds like it would be a really memorable lesson for the children, and it’s great that it combines science with other subjects like art and English. Again it’s another activity that if they enjoy the can do it at home with their families which I think is a lovely idea.
One inquiry based activity I would use in my classroom is a floating and sinking investigation. I think this is a great activity to begin with because it is simple to set up and doesn’t require expensive resources. Most of the materials can be found in the classroom or brought in from home, such as spoons, bottle tops, stones, leaves, and toy blocks. This makes it an activity that can easily be repeated throughout the year using different everyday objects, keeping it fresh and engaging for the children.
I would start by showing the children a selection of objects and asking them to predict whether each one will float or sink. I would encourage them to explain their thinking before testing their ideas in a container of water. As they investigate, they can observe what happens, compare the results with their predictions, and discuss why some objects float while others sink. This gives children the opportunity to ask questions, make discoveries, and learn through their own experiences rather than simply being given the answers.
I also like this activity because it encourages curiosity and critical thinking. The children quickly realize that objects are not always easy to predict, which leads to lots of discussion and questioning. Another advantage is that it is an activity they can easily do at home with their families using everyday household items. This helps to extend their learning beyond the classroom and encourages them to continue exploring science in a fun and meaningful way. I think it is an excellent introduction to inquiry based learning because it is hands on, engaging, and accessible for all children.
