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Research Question: How have rainfall patterns in Leitrim Village changed since 1950, and what effects has this had on the local landscape near the River Shannon?
To begin the investigation, I would start with a class discussion about typical weather in Leitrim Village and encourage pupils to share any visible signs of weather-related changes they’ve noticed, especially areas known to flood. As part of the project, pupils will make simple rain gauges and place them in different locations around the school and close to the river. Over time, they will record and analyse rainfall data and compare it to historical records from the 1950s.
Using tools like the EO Browser and archived images, students will examine satellite photos of Leitrim Village across different seasons. They will also gather personal accounts of past flooding from family members and neighbours. Finally, pupils could contact Leitrim County Council to learn more about any local flood management efforts. This information will help them draw conclusions about how rainfall trends have evolved and their impact on the surrounding environment.
The resource Nose Up High in the Sky is a fantastic way to introduce children to weather recording and analysis. I really like the lesson on proverbs because it connects children with the history of weather forecasting in a simple and engaging way. It highlights how people long ago could predict weather quite accurately, even without the modern technology we rely on today, by paying close attention to signs in nature. This approach also encourages children to talk to older family members, which helps them appreciate how clever and resourceful people were in the past, using the limited resources they had. It’s a lovely way to create a sense of connection between generations. What’s great is that children can try making their own weather predictions based on these traditional proverbs, making the learning interactive and fun. This resource is easy to use and is suitable for a wide range of ages, from Junior Infants up to sixth class.
The film Home is truly stunning, both visually and in the important message it shares. The facts it presents are shocking and really make you think, especially when paired with such beautiful footage. Similar to David Attenborough’s video from the last module, it begins by exploring the Earth’s creation and spends a good amount of time on that. I like how the film is divided into sections, which would make it easier to show specific clips to children. It’s a fantastic resource for introducing young learners to the impacts of climate change.
If I were teaching this, I’d start by focusing on it as a Geography or SPHE lesson about the Earth itself, without mentioning climate change right away. This way, students can really appreciate and be amazed by the planet’s origins. The film’s gradual shift toward showing modern human development feels like a tribute to human creativity. I think students will be surprised—and probably concerned—when they see the worrying statistics that come late
Activity 3 is an engaging and effective way to introduce younger students to the concept of greenhouse gases and climate change. The Paxi video presents complex information in a fun, simple, and age-appropriate way, making it ideal for visual and younger learners. The TEAL temperature prediction tool adds an interactive element, helping children visualise how emissions affect future climate scenarios. In my classroom, I would follow the video with a class discussion to consolidate understanding, then have students draw or write ways we can reduce emissions. These could be compiled into a collaborative class poster or turned into a short news-style video, with children acting as “climate reporters.” This adds a fun role-play element while deepening their engagement. To further support learning, including a picture book or hands-on experiment would enrich the experience and cater to different learning styles.
I really enjoyed this module and got lots of practical ideas for the classroom. I loved the idea of using weather proverbs and getting the children involved in building simple weather instruments. These hands-on activities make learning so much more meaningful and help link science with other subjects like Gaeilge, Maths and even Art. I’m excited to try some of these out in September!
