[Michelle Kearney]

I would use the Moon Stories from Around the World pack to link in with Literacy. The pack provided in this module has some great ideas for exploring and learning about the moon. I always find the moon is a topic the children love to learn about. This pack in particular is a lovely way to integrate with Literacy, Geography and Art. I have 2nd class and I feel the stories are perfect for this age group.

I would use this pack as for a Literacy lesson as follows:

Reading- Children work in pairs to read a moon story. They identify the main idea of the story and pick out any new words they are unsure of. They could then make up their own questions based on the story. Then draw a comic strip to show the main events in the story. They then share their story with the class and explain what happens using their comic strip. Dictionary Dig- use their dictionaries to look up any new words they are unsure of.
Writing-Create Your Own Moon Story. Draw one or more characters that you see in the Moon. Then tell a story below about how they got there. Use some of the new vocabulary mentioned in the other stories in their own stories.
Prompt: “Write your own story about why something/someone is seen on the Moon,”

Art:
The stories would also be a wonderful stimulus for an art lesson. Story Illustration: Have students illustrate the characters or scenes from their written Moon stories. These can be displayed alongside their stories on a classroom wall or in a class book.

Geography:
Explore Moon stories from different countries and cultures. Locate these countries on a map or globe, linking the stories to their geographic origins.

I look forward to using this resource when I return to school!

[Michelle Kearney]

One inquiry-based activity I would use is the “Design a Spacesuit” challenge. This activity invites students to investigate the needs of astronauts in space and creatively design a suit that addresses those needs. I would begin by sparking curiosity with images and videos of astronauts working on the International Space Station, then pose the question: “What would you need to survive and work in space?” Students would work in small groups to research the conditions in space (such as temperature, lack of air, and microgravity) and brainstorm solutions.

Throughout the activity, I would facilitate discussion, encourage questioning, and support students as they test materials and present their ideas. This inquiry-based approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning, develop problem-solving skills, and connect science to real-world applications. By reflecting on their designs and sharing with the class, students build confidence and communication skills. Ultimately, this activity fosters curiosity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of space science in an engaging, hands-on way.

Here is a link to my Mind Map as it is at the moment. I am looking forward to adding to it as the course continues.

[Michelle Kearney]

Icebreaker activity-
Hi my name is Michelle. I teach in 2nd class. I have found Space to consistently be one of the most fun topics to teach. Children from every class are always so engaged in this topic and really enjoy learning about Space! I hope to get loads of new ideas from this course and do a Space themed month of work with my class in the autumn term incorporating SESE, Literacy and Art!
One space fact I love is that space is silent because sound needs air to travel and there’s no air in space!

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