Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Activity set: The Sun and the Shadows
Engage: I would read the children in my class a short story called Jack’s Amazing Shadow by Tom Percival. We would discuss this story and I would ask the children prompt questions relating to shadows and light to investigate their prior knowledge. I would ask the children where have they seen shadows before? Can they describe a shadow to their peers?
Investigate: The children would work in groups to investigate how to make shadows using torches. During the lesson I would circulate the classroom and ask the children further questions to prompt discussion, such as, What do we need to make shadows? When do we not see shadows? What causes a shadow? The children will explore the shadows made by other objects and draw pictures of the shadows they observe.
Next step: I would ask the children to try and make shadows in the yard or at home after schoolHi Abby.
I really like this lesson idea. I particularly like the introduction to your lesson, this would really stimulate the children in the lesson. I also like the way the children can explore light sources around the school and have the opportunity to leave the classroom.
I would plan my lesson about rockets as I feel younger children in particular find the concept of rockets interesting. I would start the lesson by reading my first class a storybook called Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton. During the reading I would ask the children questions to encourage their scientific thought and concepts. I would ask questions in relation to the shape and parts of rockets. As a whole class we will discuss how to made a rocket and I will model an example of a rocket shape. The children will then create their own rockets using the materials provided, coloured paper, toilet roll, and tissue paper. Support will be provided throughout the lesson. The children will then go into groups to compare their rockets. We will then test the rockets as a whole class. We will reflect on how the shape of the rocket determines how far it travels, and discuss what changes we could make to our rockets.
Hi Monica. I love this lesson idea, as it will engage young learners and it is a hands on lesson. There are also countless opportunities for scientific investigation, team work and to develop oral language skills.
I have chosen to focus on hands-on classroom themed activities. I looked at Lesson 11- What Clothes to Wear? This lesson would allow easy connections to hands-on classroom themed activities. I would start the lesson by showing the children my teddy bear and telling the children that I need to make a coat for my teddy because it is raining. I will ask the children to describe what a coat needs to have/look like. I will provide the children with a variety of different materials. The children will work in groups to look at the materials and pick which material we could use to make a coat. The children will then draw/ design their coat. At the end of the lesson we will discuss what materials and design works best. This lesson will provide meaningful opportunities to develop oral language, group work skills and literacy skills while exploring scientific concepts. This is a hands on activity that will engage young learners.
Hi Michelle. Thanks for sharing your response and I can agree with some of the points you made. I feel that we are often rushing science lessons, due to timetabling issues, and we do not always leave enough time for predicting, and investigating. Questioning is essential during these stages and science skills are not fully developed without questioning.
Hi Ciara.
I really like this lesson idea as it allows children to play and explore in science. This lesson idea would be great motivation for the junior classes.
Activity set: The Sun and the Shadows
Engage: I would read the children in my class a short story called Jack’s Amazing Shadow by Tom Percival. We would discuss this story and I would ask the children prompt questions relating to shadows and light to investigate their prior knowledge. I would ask the children where have they seen shadows before? Can they describe a shadow to their peers?
Investigate: The children would work in groups to investigate how to make shadows using torches. During the lesson I would circulate the classroom and ask the children further questions to prompt discussion, such as, What do we need to make shadows? When do we not see shadows? What causes a shadow? The children will explore the shadows made by other objects and draw pictures of the shadows they observe.
Next step: I would ask the children to try and make shadows in the yard or at home after school.
Hi Ciara. I love this lesson idea. I like the way you are including outdoor learning with the children. The use of chalk and the school environment will be a great way to engage the children.
An inquiry-based activity I would use in my class is exploring what objects float and sink
Engage- I would start the lesson by showing the children my miniature astronaut. I would tell the children that my astronaut wants to find different objects/material to help her float in the water. I will tell the children that it is a sunny day and my astronaut wants to be able to float in her swimming pool.
Investigate- The children would work in groups to investigate which objects float in water. A tray of different object would be provided, ie yogurt pot, paper cup, stone. During the lesson I would circulate the classroom and ask the children further questions to prompt discussion. The children would be provided with an appropriate worksheet with images to represent the objects, to record their findings.
Next step- After the lesson the children would share their finding with the whole class. This would prompt a whole class discussion.
My name is Ruth and I will be teaching in a junior ASD class. My favourite space fact is that the sun is actually a star.