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Thanks for sharing this Margaret. Getting lots of inspiration for our next rocket making competition.
We have an annual rocket building competition during science week each year. It is amazing what creative pieces are entered. We give ideas and guidelines as follows to inspire the pupils but mainly leave then to their own devises to creat their own rocket. The pupils love it each year.
Rocket Making Competition Guide
Age Group: 1st /2nd class.
Theme: “Ready, Set, Blast Off!”
Duration: 1–2 hours
Goal: Design and build a fun model rocket using craft materials. Bonus points for creativity and teamwork! Learning Objectives:Understand basic parts of a rocket (body, fins, nose, etc.)Practice creativity, teamwork, and fine motor skills
Learn a fun, simple fact about space and rocketsPart 1: Introduction (10–15 minutes)Mini Lesson (Engaging and Simple):
“Rockets are special vehicles that blast off into space!”
Show a short video or simple diagram (NASA Kids or a cartoon rocket video)
Teach parts of a rocket:
🔺 Nose (top)
🧱 Body (middle)
🪭 Fins (bottom to help it fly straight)
🔥 Engine (pretend – makes it go up!)Part 2: Rocket Building Time! (30–40 minutes)
🔧 Materials (choose from what’s available):
Paper towel or toilet rolls (body)
Construction paper (decoration + fins)
Tape, glue sticks, scissors (child-safe)
Markers, stickers, foil, glitter (safe!)
Plastic straws or balloons (optional)
Cardboard cones or paper for nose
👩🚀 Rules for the Competition:Work in pairs or small groupsUse only the materials providedThe rocket must be able to stand uprightName your rocket!Add at least 3 parts: nose, body, finsHands on themed activities are critical learning points for young pupils….
Why Hands-On Activities Matter for 1st/2nd class pupils. (Learning About Earth)
1. Young Children Learn by Doing
In 1st/2nd class kids are in the early concrete operational stage (Piaget’s theory), which means they learn best through touching, seeing, building, and experimenting rather than just listening or reading. Example:
When learning about Earth’s layers, feeling a clay model or building one with colored dough helps them understand better than just seeing a picture.2. Makes Abstract Ideas RealBig ideas like “Earth spins,” “plants give us oxygen,” or “recycling helps the planet” can be too abstract. But hands-on activities bring those ideas down to their level. Example:Sorting real trash into “recycling” and “garbage” bins helps them understand how to care for the Earth.3. Builds Curiosity and Keeps AttentionSix-year-olds have short attention spans. Hands-on activities are fun, engaging, and help them focus longer and stay excited. Example:Planting seeds in a cup helps them stay interested in how Earth supports life. They get to watch something grow!4. Develops Fine Motor and Thinking SkillsCutting, gluing, painting, and building with blocks or clay help improve both motor coordination and problem-solving. Example:Making a 3D Earth model (core, mantle, crust) improves both science understanding and fine motor skills.5. Encourages Social LearningMany hands-on activities are done in pairs or groups, which helps kids learn to share ideas, cooperate, and talk about what they’re learning. Example:Working in teams to build a “mini Earth habitat” teaches teamwork, creativity, and care for the environment.6. Makes Learning Memorable. Kids are more likely to remember what they touched, built, or created than what they just heard. Example:If they dig in soil to find worms during a lesson on ecosystems, they’ll remember that Earth is alive and full of life.Hands-on activities make learning about Earth:Concrete (not just words)Fun and exciting,Memorable,Social and skill-building
Hi Margaret. Thanks for sharing this. Love the weather station idea. Taking away lots of inspiration.
Hi, I’ve chosen to share a project I have previously done with 2nd class on the topic of space and aliens which the pupils loved…esp the build a spaceship element. Worth a try.
Space & Aliens Project: “Out of This World!”
Age Group: 2nd class
Theme: “Exploring Space and Making Alien Friends!”
Goal: Learn basic space facts (planets, stars, astronauts) + use imagination to create your own alien and spaceship.
PART 1: Let’s Learn About SpaceStart with a Story or Video:
🧑🚀 “Once upon a time, a brave group of children blasted off into space in their rocket ship. They zoomed past stars, planets, and even… aliens!”Teach Simple Space Facts:
🌍 Earth is one of 8 planets
🌟 Stars are huge balls of gas
🌑 The Moon goes around the Earth
🪐 Planets spin and orbit the Sun
👨🚀 Astronauts go to space in rockets
🎵 Optional: Sing a space song (Planet Song or “Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon”)
PART 2: Create Your Own Alien!🎨 Materials Needed:Colored paper, googly eyes, pipe cleaners
Glue, scissors, markers
Pom-poms, stickers, glitter (optional)
Steps:Ask: “What would your alien look like if it came from another planet?”
Cut out a body shape.
Add eyes (1 eye? 10 eyes?), arms, antennae, etc.
Give your alien a name and planet!
📝 Write or dictate a sentence:
“This is Zog from the planet Wigglywoo. He loves to eat moon cheese!” PART 3: Build a Spaceship!Options:Simple: Draw or color your rocket on paper.Crafty: Build it using recycled materials (paper towel tubes, boxes, foil).
Add windows, engines, buttons with bottle caps or paper cutouts.I’ve chosen a project on planets…as I’ve previously done this with 2nd class and the kids love it so much.
Exploring the Planets!
Age Group: 2nd class
Theme: “Our Solar System Adventure!”
Project Goal: Learn about the 8 planets in our solar system with a fun, interactive craft or display.🧠 Learning Objectives:By the end, kids should be able to:Name the 8 planets in order from the Sun 🌞
Recognize that each planet is different (size, color, distance)
Understand that planets orbit (go around) the Sun🌌 Step-by-Step Project Plan:. Mini Fun Facts for Each PlanetYou can create a mini flipbook or planet cards with 1 simple fact per planet. Example:
Planet
Fun Fact
Mercury
Closest to the Sun! 🌞
Venus
Hot and cloudy! ☁️🔥
Earth
Our home! 🌍
Mars
The red planet! ❤️
Jupiter
Biggest planet! 🌪️
Saturn
Has beautiful rings! 💍
Uranus
Spins on its side! 🤸
Neptune
Windy and cold! 🌬️❄️🪐 1. Start with a Story or Video
📖 Tell a short story:
“Long, long ago, the Sun had eight little planet friends who danced around it in space…”
🧑🏫 Or play a short, fun video: The Planet Song (YouTube has age-appropriate songs).2. Create a “Solar System Mobile” or PosterOPTION A: Solar System MobileMaterials:Paper plates or black paper (for space background)
Colored paper or foam circles (planets)
String/yarn, glue, scissors
Markers or paint
Label tags
Steps:Cut 8 circles (different sizes for each planet).
Color each one to match the planet’s appearance.
Tie or glue them to hang in order from a paper plate (Sun in the middle).
Label each planet.
🎨 Planet Colors Guide (Simple version):🌞 Sun – Yellow
🌍 Earth – Blue & Green
🔴 Mars – Red
🟡 Jupiter – Orange with stripes
🟠 Saturn – Yellow with rings
🔵 Uranus – Light Blue
🟣 Neptune – Dark Blue
🟤 Mercury – Grey
🟡 Venus – Pale YellowAgreed Michaela, children adore this topic…and love doing projects at home on anything space related.
Hi, I’m orla. I will be doing in class support with second class in September and space is fascinating for pupils this age. They love all space related lessons.Just a sample lesson to teach concept of night/day…..earth/moon. For infant classes. Keeping it simple is key.
PART 1: Night and Day – Earth’s Magic SpinStorytime Hook:“Imagine you’re on a magical ride called Planet Earth. Earth is spinning like a top—wheee! But you can’t feel it because it’s spinning slowly and smoothly.”Key Point:Earth spins around like a top.One side faces the Sun (☀️) = Day
The other side faces away = Night (🌙)
🌀 Big Word for the Day: Rotate
(Earth rotates or spins once every 24 hours!)Visual Aid / Activity:Use a ball as Earth and a flashlight as the Sun.Shine the flashlight on one side and slowly rotate the ball. Kids can see how it gets light (day) and dark (night)!The Magical MoonStorytime Hook:The Moon is like Earth’s best friend! It follows Earth around and plays hide and seek in the sky.”Key Points:The Moon goes around Earth. (That’s called orbiting.)Sometimes we see a full Moon, sometimes just a slice—that’s the Moon’s phases!The Moon doesn’t make its own light. It reflects the Sun’s light.🎨 Activity:Show phases with Oreo cookies (full moon = full cookie, half moon = half, crescent = small bite).Paper and flashlight activity to show how the Moon reflects light.Here’s a comprehensive lesson plan on France for a 5th class,The lesson is fun, interactive, and includes core educational goals.
Pupils in 5th class are given option of preparing their project on power point
Pupils Placed in groups of 4. Each group must present project to the class.
Sometimes I give each group a different country in Europe to research under the same headings outlined below. Each group presents their project and it becomes a very rich learning environment. Generates love of learning and great curiosity in geography.🌍 Lesson Plan: Discovering France
Age Group: 5th class
Subject: Geography / Culture
Duration: 60 minutes
Topic: France🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify France on a map and describe its position in Europe.
Recognize the French flag and know the national language.
Name at least two traditional French foods.
Identify key tourist attractions in France.
Locate major rivers and mountains in France.
Recall 2–3 interesting facts about France.Warm-up & Introduction (10 minutes)
Ask: “Has anyone heard of France? What do you know about it?”
Show a world map and zoom into Europe. Point out France.
Briefly explain: “France is a country in Western Europe known for its food, art, fashion, and famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower!”2. Where is France? (10 minutes)
Show a map of Europe.
Highlight neighboring countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.)
Activity: Students label France on a blank map of Europe.
Ask them to color it in and draw a small French flag next to it.3. The French Flag & Language (5 minutes)
Show the flag: 🇫🇷 Blue, white, and red.
Say: “This is called the Tricolore. It stands for liberty, equality, and fraternity.”
Teach: “The official language is French.”
Fun activity: Teach 3 French words: Bonjour (hello), Merci (thank you), Oui (yes).4. Traditional French Food (5 minutes)
Show pictures of:
🥐 Croissant
🥖 Baguette
🧀 Cheese (Camembert/Brie)
🍰 Crêpes
Ask: “Would you try any of these?”
Quick quiz: “Which of these is a long loaf of bread?”5. Tourist Attractions (10 minutes)
Show photos and short facts about:
🗼 Eiffel Tower
🖼️ Louvre Museum
🏰 Palace of Versailles
🌊 Mont Saint-Michel
Ask: “Which place would you visit and why?”6. Rivers and Mountains (10 minutes)
Introduce 2 main rivers:
Seine – flows through Paris
Rhône – runs from the Alps to the Mediterranean
Show 2 mountain ranges:
The Alps – with Mont Blanc (France’s highest peak)
The Pyrenees – natural border with Spain
Map activity: Label rivers and mountains on a map of France.7. Fun & Weird Facts (5 minutes)
France is the most visited country in the world!
The French eat around 30,000 tons of snails each year.
The Eiffel Tower grows in summer (heat makes the metal expand).8. Wrap-Up & Quiz (5 minutes)
Quick quiz or matching game:
Match flag to country
Circle rivers and mountains on map
Match food to name
Ask: “What was your favorite thing you learned about France?”📎 Assessment & Extension
Assessment: Check the worksheet/map labeling and quiz.
Extension Activity:
Have students draw a French postcard with a landmark and greeting in French.
Make a simple French crêpe recipe at home with parents.Use Kahoot to devise quiz.
🖼️ Images to Include
Map of Europe with France highlighted
French Flag
Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Mont Blanc
Seine and Rhône River diagram
Pictures of traditional French foodOf course start with referring to our schools AUP and AI POLICIES. I’d like to try teachable machine , having researched its possibilities.Using Teachable Machine in a primary classroom offers several educational benefits, especially as it introduces young students to basic concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning in an intuitive and engaging way. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefitsEnhances Digital LiteracyEarly Exposure to AI Concepts: Students learn what machine learning is and how it works through a hands-on tool.Foundational Tech Skills: Helps develop basic computer skills and familiarity with emerging technologies.Promotes Active and Experiential LearningInteractive & Visual Learning: Kids can create projects using images, sounds, or poses, which keeps them engaged and supports different learning styles.Immediate Feedback: Students see the outcomes of their input in real time, reinforcing cause and effect.Boosts Creativity and Critical ThinkingCreative Projects: Students can build games, stories, or interactive experiences using their own data (like sounds or movements).Problem-Solving: Teaches students how to refine their models when results don’t match expectations.Supports Cross-Curricular LearningSTEM Integration: Combines elements of science, technology, engineering, and math.Links to Art and Language: Students can create AI that responds to different artistic styles, emotions in voices, or spoken words.
Looking forward to trying teachable machine in September!
