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Laura, this is a lovely lesson. I really like the idea of the children have further opportunity to explore what they learned in the lesson during free play.
Activity Set- Rockets
I would Read the book Aliens in Underpants Save the World to introduce the concept of space exploration and rockets in a fun and playful way. I would discuss with the children the idea of space travel and how rockets help us explore beyond Earth. I would show pictures of different types of rockets (e.g., space shuttle, Saturn V) and discuss their shapes, sizes, and purposes.I would then look at the comic strip of Marvin and Milo building their Penny Rocket and the YouTube video of the Mouse Rocket. I would ask the children which rocket design they think will work better and why. Which rocket will go the farthest? I would encourage critical thinking and discussion. I would divide the children into groups and provide each group with an empty milk carton, paper for the mouse head, coins, and an empty 2L bottle to create their own Penny or Mouse Rockets.
I would get each group to predict which rocket design they think will fly higher or farther. They would then launch the rockets in an open space and mark where each rocket lands. Then we would discuss the outcome compared to the predictions.
Finally, I would link to other subjects:
– Math: How many foot spans long did each rocket launch.
– Art: Encourage children to create space-themed artwork inspired by their rocket experiment.
– Writing: Write about rockets and space exploration.
– Aistear: Role Play/Construction/Small WorldLove these ideas, I especially like the class blog for sharing their learning experiences and opening up a discussion at home about their learning.
Online Resources and Tools
Stellarium-web.org
I would use this website for virtual stargazing in the classroom. I would display the night sky on the IWB and let the children explore different constellations and stars. I would encourage them to point out patterns in the sky. They could then use peg boards or chalk and black paper to recreate the constellations.
Milo and Marvin
I would use Milo and Marvin in role-play activities in the classroom. I would encourage children to dress up as Milo and Marvin or create alien-themed props for imaginative play. I would support them to act out scenarios from the stories or come up with their own space adventures with the alien characters.
ESA and ESA Kids
I would use this website for storytime in my classroom. We would choose appropriate stories about space exploration, astronauts, and the wonders of the universe. I would incorporate these stories into reading time to inspire curiosity about space in young learners.
I would also use this website for space themed arts and crafts using the images on the website for inspiration. Children could look at a variety of pictures and create their own rockets, alien creatures, or planets using art materials/junk.
I would also play the interactive games and solve space-themed puzzles as a whole class. This can be a fun way to reinforce learning about space in a playful manner.
Hi Frances, I would use a variety of different items with the children and let them see that no matter what weight they still fall at the same speed from the same height. When I say research, I mean the children listening to a story and actively trialling different classroom items such as paper, pens, copybooks, glue-sticks, workbooks etc. The ups and down of gravity is a book I’ve used before by David A Adler.
Activity Set: Stars
1.Introduction:Begin by introducing the topic of stars and space to the students. Discuss the importance of stars in the universe and their role in the night sky.
2. Reading Activity: Distribute copies of the “Lots and Lots of Stars” document to the students or display it on a screen for the class to read together. Encourage students to read the document individually or in small groups and highlight key points or interesting facts about stars.
3. Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion based on the information presented in the document. Encourage students to share their findings, ask questions, and express their thoughts on the topic of stars.
4. Hands-on Activities: Make a Star Lantern.
5. Creative Projects: Encourage students to create their own star-themed projects. They can design posters, write poems, create artwork or draw their own constellations.
6. Interactive Learning: Do a Kahoot Quiz to reinforce learning and make the topic of stars more engaging for students.
7. Conclusion :Conclude the lesson by summarizing the key takeaways about stars and space. Encourage students to reflect on what they’ve learned and how it has enhanced their understanding of the universe.
Hi Laura, that sounds like a great activity. The children would love looking at the different shadows at different times of the day.
Hi Laura, that sounds like a great activity! The children would love seeing the different shadows at different times of the day.
Here’s how I would teach about the planets in my classroom.
1.Introduction: Start by introducing the concept of the solar system and the planets that orbit the Sun. Show models of the planets to engage students.
2.Planet Song: Introduce the planet song to your students. Encourage them to listen to the song and follow along with the lyrics.
3.Visual Aids: Use PowerPoint of the solar system to help students visualize the planets and their positions relative to the Sun.
4.Interactive Activities: Play the Planet Game and ask children what names of planets they can remember at the end. Do the Planet Dance.
5.Sing Along: Have a sing-along session where students can sing the planet song together. This can be a fun way for them to memorize the order of the planets while enjoying a musical activity.
6.Planet Facts: Share interesting facts about each planet as you go through the song. Encourage students to ask questions and spark discussions about interesting facts of each planet. Memorise the order of the planets from the song using GoNoodle – My Very Excellent Monkey Just Served Unicorn Noodles.
7.Assessment: To reinforce learning, children will complete a kahoot quiz on the planets.
Teaching an inquiry-based activity on gravity can be a fun and engaging way for students to learn. Here’s how I would teach it in my classroom.
1.Introduction: Introduce the concept of gravity to students. Explain that gravity is the force that pulls objects towards each other. Use simple and relatable examples to help them understand.
2.Ask Questions: Encourage students to ask questions about gravity. What do they already know? What do they want to learn more about? This will help spark curiosity and guide the direction of the activity.
3.Hands-on Experiment: Plan a hands-on experiment that demonstrates the effects of gravity. For example, you can drop objects of different weights and sizes to observe how they fall to the ground. Encourage students to make predictions and record their observations.
4.Research: Have students research more about gravity. They can explore how gravity works in space, why objects fall at the same rate regardless of weight, or even the history of our understanding of gravity.
5.Discussion: Facilitate a group discussion where students can share their findings, ask questions, and reflect on what they’ve learned. Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
6.Creative Projects: Allow students to showcase their understanding of gravity through creative projects. They can create models, posters, or even skits to demonstrate their knowledge.
7.Conclusion: Conclude the activity by summarizing key points about gravity and its importance. Encourage students to continue exploring and asking questions about this fascinating force.
My goal in this activity is to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and active learning.
