[Michelle McKeever]

Hi Aisling,

I like your space fact.  This is how I would use an inquiry-based activity linked to your fact.
A fun way to introduce this lesson is by sharing the fact that there are billions of stars in our galaxy, even though we can only see a small number of them from Earth on a clear night. This helps spark students’ curiosity before showing them ‘The Starry Night’ by Vincent van Gogh. Instead of explaining the painting straight away, I would give students time to look at it quietly and notice what stands out to them. Some might focus on the bright stars, the swirling sky, or the small village below. I would then encourage them to ask their own questions, such as why the sky looks like it is moving or what they think it would be like to stand in the picture.</p>
Students would then share their ideas with a partner or in small groups, using what they can see in the artwork to support their thinking. I like this approach because there are no right or wrong answers, which gives students the confidence to share their ideas and listen to different perspectives. To finish the lesson, students would create their own night sky inspired by Van Gogh’s style and then reflect on what they discovered during the activity. This lesson encourages creativity, observation, communication, and critical thinking while allowing students to enjoy exploring art in a way that feels engaging and meaningful.

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by Michelle McKeever.

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