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Module 3:
The film ‘HOME’ by Yann Arthus-Bertran is a fascinating and powerful video that shows us the impact we as humans have had on this planet so far. For children in a junior school it would be too much to show them this video in full – I feel breaking it up into much smaller sections or even just some of the pictures that are related to the topic we are doing that day would be more beneficial and the children will be able to concentrate and understand the topic better.
I believe that we need to focus on the positives for young children, things that they can do themselves that will help – recycling both in school and at home, walking to school or getting the bus instead of taking the car, using LED bulbs at home, turning off their tvs, games and lights once they are finished using them. Every small bit will help.
I enjoyed using the carbon footprint calculator but it was scary to see what impact I am having on the climate. I feel this calculator would be a fantastic resource to use with the senior side of the school as they will be able to use it correctly and they can also understand their impact on the climate.Enda, I like your idea of using role play for the children to see how each choice of energy affects the Earth’s temperature.
Hi Karen,
I like your idea of carrying out an experiment with the children, This will reinforce the effects of Greenhouse gases.
Activity 3 – Climate Reporters:
As I teach in a Junior school and as I will be teaching Senior Infants this coming September I would start this lesson by completing a KWL chart with the children to find out what they already know. After we have discussed their prior knowledge and what they would like to learn about I will then show them the Paxi video on Greenhouse gases. This is an age appropriate video that the children will be able to follow and understand easily. It will give them a good introduction into greenhouse gases. The worksheet for this lesson will have to be simplified as it is too advanced for my class. I would include simple pictures and a matching activity as well as space for the children to draw their answers.
I would show the children the tool for predicting future temperatures on the board and then I would download it onto iPads, split the class into groups and then give them an iPad, one for each group, so they will be able to use it for themselves.I agree Clare, this paper does offers guidance on how to deliver an authentic STEM experience in solving problems and real-life applications which is very helpful and it will make our lessons more interesting and enjoyable for the children.
After reading and reviewing the paper Unravelling STEM: Beyond the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Liston 2018) I feel that removing traditional barriers of separating the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Vasquez, Comer and Sneider 2013) is key for the children to be able to carry out and understand STEM activities to the best of their ability. The children will become critical thinkers and active learners by using a hands on approach. In my classroom this year (Junior Infants) the children work in small groups with concrete materials so they can carry out their practical tasks by thinking critically and learning through investigation.
Activity 1: Is it weather or climate?
This activity was enjoyable and will be relatable to all children. I feel that relating the weather to the children’s birthdays will help the children understand the difference between weather and climate. I also feel the videos that are provided are age appropriate and particularly useful when explaining the difference between weather and climate for all children.Activity 2: Weather Detectives
This activity can also be differentiated so that even children as young as Junior Infants will be able to carry it out. The children can help develop a weather station to mount the thermometer so that it will be able to be used by other classes in the school and there will be no fear that the heat from the children’s hands will change the temperature, the results will be constant and reliable. This will help the children become critical thinkers as they will have to decide on the best area for the weather station. They will become hands on learners as they will have to design and make the actual station.
