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This is a lovely, practical lesson that is very well suited to Senior Infants. I like how it encourages children to make predictions before investigating, helping them develop curiosity and scientific thinking. The hands-on nature of the activity will keep pupils engaged, while the discussion questions encourage them to reflect on their observations. I also like the extension activity, as it gives children the opportunity to apply their learning by making and testing their own predictions using classroom objects.
Hi everyone,
My name is Seán and I teach in a primary school in Co. Kerry. I mainly work in Special Education but also spend time supporting Junior Infants, so I’m looking forward to picking up plenty of practical ideas from this course that I can use in my classroom.
My favourite space fact is that a day on Venus is actually longer than a year on Venus! It takes Venus about 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis, but only 225 Earth days to travel around the Sun. I always find that a fascinating fact because it really challenges children’s understanding of time and space.
One inquiry-based activity I would enjoy using in my Junior Infants classroom is an investigation into why the Moon appears to change shape throughout the month. Rather than simply explaining the phases of the Moon, I would encourage the children to observe pictures of the Moon over several weeks and ask questions about what they notice. They could make predictions, discuss their ideas with classmates, and record their observations through simple drawings. Using a torch and balls to represent the Sun, Earth and Moon, the children could explore how light creates the different phases. This hands-on approach encourages curiosity, questioning and discussion while developing important scientific skills such as observing, predicting and communicating. It also links naturally with oral language, art and mathematics, allowing children to measure time, sequence events and create Moon phase artwork. I think inquiry-based learning is especially valuable in Junior Infants because it builds on children’s natural curiosity and helps them become active participants in their own learning rather than simply receiving information.