[Ruth O Callaghan]

I really like your examples of picture books here, I will be adding them to my list for next year. Drawing their own alien is a fun and creative way for them to dive into the theme of the lesson. Also a great way to integrate multiple lessons into the one theme

[Ruth O Callaghan]

For a lesson on constellations with Senior Infants, I would start by asking the children what they notice when they look up at the night sky. We would talk about stars and whether they have ever noticed that some stars seem to make patterns or pictures. I would introduce the word constellation and explain that people have imagined pictures and shapes by joining stars together.

I would use the Universe in a Box programme to help introduce the topic and show the children some examples of constellations, such as Orion and the Big Dipper.

For a hands-on activity, the children could use black paper and star stickers to make their own night sky. They could then join some of the stars together using a white crayon to create their own constellation. I would encourage them to give their constellation a name and tell the class what they think it looks like.

We could also use constellation cards and counters or playdough to recreate different patterns. To finish, we would look at the children’s creations and talk about the different patterns they made. This would be a fun way to develop their observation, creativity, fine-motor and early STEM skills.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

I like your idea of using the picture book as a stimulus. Your activity of using chalk to create their silhouettes is great and would work so well in my classroom. This is a great hands on activity. Your examples of songs are excellent for enhancing their learning.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

The Spherical Earth
I would begin the lesson by asking the children what they think the Earth looks like. I would show them a globe and explain that the Earth is spherical, like a ball, rather than flat. We would pass the globe around and allow the children to explore it and find Ireland.

Next, we would listen to The Planets Song and sing along together. As each planet is mentioned, I would show the children a picture of it and we would talk about its colour, size and position. The children could then act as the planets, moving around the classroom in order from the Sun.

For a hands-on activity, each child could make their own planet using paper plates or coloured card. We could create a class solar system by hanging the planets around the room, with Earth clearly identified.

To finish, I would ask the children what they learned about Earth and why they think we call it a spherical planet.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

I have added your suggestion of picture book to my list! I always enjoy using picture books as a stimulus for Science lessons. The activity of balloon rockets would work very well in my classroom.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

For Space Week, I would like to focus on making rockets with my infant class. I think this would be a really engaging way to introduce young children to space and STEM through play, discussion and hands-on learning.

I would begin by using a selection of picture books about space and rockets as a stimulus. We could talk about what we notice in the illustrations, what rockets are used for and what children already know about space. We could then explore different types of rockets, looking at how they can be different shapes and sizes and what they are designed to do. I would encourage the children to ask questions and share their own ideas.

The main activity would be for the children to design and make their own rockets using a range of classroom materials such as cardboard tubes, paper, boxes, foil and recycled materials. They could draw their designs first and then work individually or in small groups to create their rockets.

I would use this activity to develop creativity, problem-solving, language, teamwork and early STEM skills. I would also encourage the children to test their rockets and talk about what worked well and what they might change. I think Space Week would be a fun opportunity to spark curiosity and show the children that STEM can be creative, exciting and hands-on.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

I like your answer here and relate as a fellow infant teacher. I love using Space for child centered play and find it excellent for hands on activities for the students. I like your idea about the paper plates for making planets.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

I would choose the hands-on classroom themed activities. I think these would be a great way to get pupils more involved in STEM and make their learning more practical and enjoyable. I would give pupils opportunities to explore a problem, come up with their own ideas, work together and test out different solutions.

I would also use these activities to see how confident and interested the pupils are in STEM. By observing them and getting their feedback, I could identify what they enjoy and where they might need more support.

As a next step, I would work with other teachers to share ideas and resources and look at how we could include more STEM activities across different subjects. We could set some simple STEM goals for the school and review our progress over time. I think this would help make STEM a more regular and meaningful part of learning for the pupils.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

An inquiry-based activity I would use for Senior Infants on the theme of Space could begin by showing the children a picture of the night sky and asking, “What do you notice?” and “What do you wonder about space?” I would record their ideas and questions on a chart. Then I would invite the children to investigate by exploring books, short videos, and images of planets, stars, the Moon, and astronauts. In small groups, they can sort picture cards into categories such as things found in space and things found on Earth, discussing their reasons. I could encourage each group to share one new fact they discovered and one question they still have. Finishing the activity by asking the children to draw and label their favourite object in space and explain why they chose it. This inquiry-based approach promotes curiosity, observation, questioning, communication, and early scientific thinking while allowing children to actively construct their own understanding of the topic.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

My name is Ruth and I teach in a DEIS school in Co. Limerick. I teach Senior Infants. I honestly know very little about space so I am using this course to learn alot that I can bring back to my classroom.

[Ruth O Callaghan]

I never knew this fact, very interesting and a great fact to share in the classroom.

[Author]

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