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Activity Set: Rockets lesson for 1st class
I think I would carry out this activity set the week following on from Space Week perhaps, after prior knowledge of the solar system/ planets has been established. (I usually do at least 2 or 3 weeks of Space themed activities/ lessons when teaching it). Vega la
To engage the children’s focus, at the beginning of the lesson, I would show the children a video clip of the Vega rocket launch to get the children interested and wondering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRt8zQXKQp4 I’ve showed this to a few of my classes a few years ago, but had forgotten about it as a great stimulus to lessons.
Host a class discussion on the launch and rockets-shapes and sizes, look at different types of rockets. Ask questions such as what it might be like to be an astronaut in a rocket, be in space etc. I love the Chris Hadfield videos of him on the ISS-I’ve shown these to children before and their are truly fascinated by him! I would definitely show a few of his videos, even during lunchtime etc to keep the theme going throughout the day.
I think I would do the balloon on a string rocket as a whole class demonstration then-led by me and a few helpers…give a few children a go of holding the balloon rocket for take off/ hold the string taught on either sides of classroom etc. (They love jobs!). I would sit them around in a circle close by.
I would then give children the opportunity to explore making their own rockets in small groups of 4. I would leave the materials to make the foam rockets on each group’s tables-foam, card, scissors, tape, elastic band. I would allow them to investigate the materials first and see what ideas they could come up with first before then showing them the steps of ow to make the foam rockets. I’ve done the foam rockets before with 2nd class but I think 1st class will require a lot more support and instruction.
We will predict what distance our rockets may launch and see if we make changes to the rockets/ materials used how this will affect them etc.
We will go outside and launch them-using long wooden metre sticks. We will then integrate Maths into the lesson by using metre sticks and strides and baby steps to see whose rocket traveled the furthest/ shortest, etc. -using mathematical language from Length/ Measures.
I would also carry out an art lesson-drawing rockets using bright pastels on a black background. ( See picture attached). We would aslo make astronauts-using paper plates as the mask-print/ stick a photo of themselves on the head and decorate an astronaut suit with their country’s flag etc.
I usually create a big rocket and add a few things like a telescope and space related items to a imaginative play area in my classroom and allow a group down to dramatise/ free play for 20mins each day. They loved this when I did it last year…but it is noisy!
I would listen to Space related songs for music during the week. Read space/ rocket stories for English. The Way Back Home is good. During PE we would play ‘Space Invaders’-Aliens versus Humans-turning up/ down the round cones that are scattered all over the floor-the boys love this game.
I love to print out the Congratulations Certificates for participating in Space Week each year and laminate them and write their names on them. I think I got these on the SFI website before…maybe someone can remind me where if not there. I once registered our space week event and they sent out space week pencils to our class. I think I did it another year though and they sent nothing! So think it may be hit and miss!
Activity Set: Rockets lesson for 1st class
I think I would carry out this activity set the week following on from Space Week perhaps, after prior knowledge of the solar system/ planets has been established. (I usually do at least 2 or 3 weeks of Space themed activities/ lessons when teaching it). Vega la
To engage the children’s focus, at the beginning of the lesson, I would show the children a video clip of the Vega rocket launch to get the children interested and wondering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRt8zQXKQp4 I’ve showed this to a few of my classes a few years ago, but had forgotten about it as a great stimulus to lessons.
Host a class discussion on the launch and rockets-shapes and sizes, look at different types of rockets. Ask questions such as what it might be like to be an astronaut in a rocket, be in space etc. I love the Chris Hadfield videos of him on the ISS-I’ve shown these to children before and their are truly fascinated by him! I would definitely show a few of his videos, even during lunchtime etc to keep the theme going throughout the day.
I think I would do the balloon on a string rocket as a whole class demonstration then-led by me and a few helpers…give a few children a go of holding the balloon rocket for take off/ hold the string taught on either sides of classroom etc. (They love jobs!). I would sit them around in a circle close by.
I would then give children the opportunity to explore making their own rockets in small groups of 4. I would leave the materials to make the foam rockets on each group’s tables-foam, card, scissors, tape, elastic band. I would allow them to investigate the materials first and see what ideas they could come up with first before then showing them the steps of ow to make the foam rockets. I’ve done the foam rockets before with 2nd class but I think 1st class will require a lot more support and instruction.
We will predict what distance our rockets may launch and see if we make changes to the rockets/ materials used how this will affect them etc.
We will go outside and launch them-using long wooden metre sticks. We will then integrate Maths into the lesson by using metre sticks and strides and baby steps to see whose rocket traveled the furthest/ shortest, etc. -using mathematical language from Length/ Measures.
I would also carry out an art lesson-drawing rockets using bright pastels on a black background. ( See picture attached). We would aslo make astronauts-using paper plates as the mask-print/ stick a photo of themselves on the head and decorate an astronaut suit with their country’s flag etc.
I usually create a big rocket and add a few things like a telescope and space related items to a imaginative play area in my classroom and allow a group down to dramatise/ free play for 20mins each day. They loved this when I did it last year…but it is noisy!
I would listen to Space related songs for music during the week. Read space/ rocket stories for English. The Way Back Home is good. During PE we would play ‘Space Invaders’-Aliens versus Humans-turning up/ down the round cones that are scattered all over the floor-the boys love this game.
I love to print out the Congratulations Certificates for participating in Space Week each year and laminate them and write their names on them. I think I got these on the SFI website before…maybe someone can remind me where if not there. I once registered our space week event and they sent out space week pencils to our class. I think I did it another year though and they sent nothing! So think it may be hit and miss!
Activity Set: Rockets lesson for 1st class
I think I would carry out this activity set the week following on from Space Week perhaps, after prior knowledge of the solar system/ planets has been established. (I usually do at least 2 or 3 weeks of Space themed activities/ lessons when teaching it). Vega l
To engage the children’s focus, at the beginning of the lesson, I would show the children a video clip of the Vega rocket launch to get the children interested and wondering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRt8zQXKQp4 I’ve showed this to a few of my classes a few years ago, but had forgotten about it as a great stimulus to lessons.
Host a class discussion on the launch and rockets-shapes and sizes, look at different types of rockets. Ask questions such as what it might be like to be an astronaut in a rocket, be in space etc. I love the Chris Hadfield videos of him on the ISS-I’ve shown these to children before and their are truly fascinated by him! I would definitely show a few of his videos, even during lunchtime etc to keep the theme going throughout the day.
I think I would do the balloon on a string rocket as a whole class demonstration then-led by me and a few helpers…give a few children a go of holding the balloon rocket for take off/ hold the string taught on either sides of classroom etc. (They love jobs!). I would sit them around in a circle close by.
I would then give children the opportunity to explore making their own rockets in small groups of 4. I would leave the materials to make the foam rockets on each group’s tables-foam, card, scissors, tape, elastic band. I would allow them to investigate the materials first and see what ideas they could come up with first before then showing them the steps of ow to make the foam rockets. I’ve done the foam rockets before with 2nd class but I think 1st class will require a lot more support and instruction.
We will predict what distance our rockets may launch and see if we make changes to the rockets/ materials used how this will affect them etc.
We will go outside and launch them-using long wooden metre sticks. We will then integrate Maths into the lesson by using metre sticks and strides and baby steps to see whose rocket traveled the furthest/ shortest, etc. -using mathematical language from Length/ Measures.
I would also carry out an art lesson-drawing rockets using bright pastels on a black background. ( See picture attached). We would aslo make astronauts-using paper plates as the mask-print/ stick a photo of themselves on the head and decorate an astronaut suit with their country’s flag etc.
I usually create a big rocket and add a few things like a telescope and space related items to a imaginative play area in my classroom and allow a group down to dramatise/ free play for 20mins each day. They loved this when I did it last year…but it is noisy!
I would listen to Space related songs for music during the week. Read space/ rocket stories for English. The Way Back Home is good. During PE we would play ‘Space Invaders’-Aliens versus Humans-turning up/ down the round cones that are scattered all over the floor-the boys love this game.
I love to print out the Congratulations Certificates for participating in Space Week each year and laminate them and write their names on them. I think I got these on the SFI website before…maybe someone can remind me where if not there. I once registered our space week event and they sent out space week pencils to our class. I think I did it another year though and they sent nothing! So think it may be hit and miss!My toddler enjoyed making rocket mice the other day (with some help!). He’s quite clever so I was testing out some open ended higher order questions with him about the types of materials used etc. He liked this experiment!
ESA Kids is a great teachers’ resource for anything space related. I like the Solar System Explorer game. https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Games/Solar_System_Explorer I would allow the children to access this website themselves during Space Week and let them explore all of the fantastic facts, games and videos such as Excercising in Space etc. https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Multimedia/Videos/Paxi_on_the_ISS/Exercising_in_space
Stellarium: I have used Stellarium software before in the classroom and it is so beneficial and also fun. I love the different features of it, showing the night time background etc. I would use it as a whole class/ teacher led lesson on the interactive whiteboard for younger classes but would have the children use their own ipads too to access the software through teacher’s ipad using the Apple connection/ code to share.
Marvin and Milo:I think the characters make learning fun for young children. I like the Alka Seltzer Rocket activity for my 1st class. I would introduce them to rockets and show them pictures etc first. https://spark.iop.org/collections/marvin-and-milo?__cf_chl_tk=atlaPcqgCQm2X58iI3nxhM3gJ83ltmOnO_mbFl40rRk-1719954924-0.0.1.1-4116
Although non space related, I was also very interested in the DIY Chromatography activity-as I have a previous degree in Forensic Chemistry and did a lot of chromatography in the lab so I may try this with my class next year, bringing my Forensic based skills to them and creating a ransom note to test and maybe fingerprinting too.
Back to Space!….I think the boys in my school will love all of these stimulants and activities based on space. They really enjoy learning about the topic.
ESA Kids is a great teachers’ resource for anything space related. I like the Solar System Explorer game. https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Games/Solar_System_Explorer I would allow the children to access this website themselves during Space Week and let them explore all of the fantastic facts, games and videos such as Excercising in Space etc. https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Multimedia/Videos/Paxi_on_the_ISS/Exercising_in_space
Stellarium: I have used Stellarium software before in the classroom and it is so beneficial and also fun. I love the different features of it, showing the night time background etc. I would use it as a whole class/ teacher led lesson on the interactive whiteboard for younger classes but would have the children use their own ipads too to access the software through teacher’s ipad using the Apple connection/ code to share.
Marvin and Milo:I think the characters make learning fun for young children. I like the Alka Seltzer Rocket activity for my 1st class. I would introduce them to rockets and show them pictures etc first. https://spark.iop.org/collections/marvin-and-milo?__cf_chl_tk=atlaPcqgCQm2X58iI3nxhM3gJ83ltmOnO_mbFl40rRk-1719954924-0.0.1.1-4116
Although non space related, I was also very interested in the DIY Chromatography activity-as I have a previous degree in Forensic Chemistry and did a lot of chromatography in the lab so I may try this with my class next year, bringing my Forensic based skills to them and creating a ransom note to test and maybe fingerprinting too.
Back to Space!….I think the boys in my school will love all of these stimulants and activities based on space. They really enjoy learning about the topic.Apologies, my replies do not seem to post as soon as I post them and then I try again, and again, still can’t see them, panic, try to post again! and then half an hour later when I go to check, there are multiple of my posts there so apologies. I have been in contact with TEach Net about this yesterday.
This is a great hands on activity Yvonne. Also great to use The Three Little Pigs as a stimulant and to integrate English/ Art/ Gaeilge lessons around this story/ theme for the fortnight.
https://esahubble.org/images/potw1631a/ Something like this
1.Introduction: I would use a visual of a picture of a starlit night sky for the children to view and prompt discussion. I think I would use something factual from ESA’s satellite images, but Van Gogh’s ‘Starry NIght’ could be used too if it integrated into Art lessons/ themes in other subjects, etc.
2. Discussion:Discuss the pictures and do a KWL/ Mind Map with the class to see what they already know about stars, what they want to learn about them-jot down any questions they have about stars.
3. Hands-on Activities: Make a Star Constellation-they could use the plough template in the activity from this module. https://teachnet.ie/ej/pdf/dpsm_class_activity_the_plough.pdf or they could make their own using construction straws and play dough.
5. Integrated learning: They can write poems, stories based on stars or create artwork based on the star picture used as a visual aid/ prompt.
6. Digital Learning: Allow the children to investigate the Stellarium apps on the iPad. The Stellarium app could be shown by teacher on the IWB first of how to use it/ by using a QR code to share with the class etc. This may only work for 1st/ 2nd class rather than infant level.
7. Conclusion: To finish the lesson by summarizing what they have learned about stars-finishing their KWL Chart for what they’ve learned and name a few constellations that they found out about.
1.Introduction: I would use a visual of a picture of a starlit night sky for the children to view and prompt discussion. I think I would use something factual from ESA’s satellite images, but Van Gogh’s ‘Starry NIght’ could be used too if it integrated into Art lessons/ themes in other subjects, etc.
2. Discussion:Discuss the pictures and do a KWL/ Mind Map with the class to see what they already know about stars, what they want to learn about them-jot down any questions they have about stars.
3. Hands-on Activities: Make a Star Constellation-they could use the plough template in the activity from this module. https://teachnet.ie/ej/pdf/dpsm_class_activity_the_plough.pdf or they could make their own using construction straws and play dough.
5. Integrated learning: They can write poems, stories based on stars or create artwork based on the star picture used as a visual aid/ prompt.
6. Digital Learning: Allow the children to investigate the Stellarium apps on the iPad. The Stellarium app could be shown by teacher on the IWB first of how to use it/ by using a QR code to share with the class etc. This may only work for 1st/ 2nd class rather than infant level.
7. Conclusion: To finish the lesson by summarizing what they have learned about stars-finishing their KWL Chart for what they’ve learned and name a few constellations that they found out about.I really like these activities Sinéad. You could also use the flying rocket idea of the balloon on the string either for the alien to see the distance it travels along the string (tying in Maths and length) rather than letting it fly off either.
One fun activity to do which can be integrated into PE lessons to teach about the planets and how they orbit.
• Divide students into teams of 8. Colour code them by giving bibs • Get the 8 members of each team to stand on the orbit circle of each of the planets, in a straight line from Mercury to Neptune (students will look like spokes coming out of a hub, as in a bicycle wheel). • At the same time, direct all students to take 100 slow steps around their orbit. • Students on the inner orbits (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) will also need to keep count of how many times they complete an orbit around the Sun. • When everyone on the team has completed 100 steps around, get them to note the position of the other members of their team. They will have moved out of line with each other. • As they stand in their orbits, lead a discussion on how a planet’s distance from the Sun affects its orbit.
It sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite easy to do. I’ve carried out this activity a few times before with various class levels and they enjoy it.
Hi Saoirse. Sounds like a good activity. I’ve used the Planets Song with my class’s before and they love it! It’s so catchy!
One inquiry based lesson I’ve previously carried out with second class and they loved was the following. I think I’ll try it in 1st class this year too but just support them a little more where needed.
More information and resources can be found here:
https://www.sfi.ie/resources/Our-Solar-System.pdf
I printed this during Space Week one year and use it each year depending on class level.
Prompt: Show pictures of the planets in our solar system.
Ask the students what sizes they think the other Planets are compared with Earth.
• Ask if they know what the biggest and smallest planets are.
Describe and compare the various sizes of the planets from pictures used.
Activity: I would carry out this in groups of 4 or 5. • Show the students all of the fruits available and ask for guesses as to which ones represent which planets, ask for reasoning when they give guesses. • Place all the fruits on a table. Have labels with names of planets but don’t match the fruits to the labels, have the students figure out where each should go, using the hint card that you can print off from the activity framework. • Go around to the various groups and listen to their discussions and reasoning as to which fruits correspond to which planets.
Finally: Discuss the correct sizes as a class.
