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I like the idea of using the Fizzing and Foaming lesson plan in my classroom. I have done the dancing raisins experiment before and it really catches the children’s attention.
For Science Week last year I gave the class ownership of their own learning and asked them to prepare and present a science experiment to their class. They had a week to come up with an experiment and gather the equipment they needed. They could work on their own or in groups. It was lovely to see the different ideas that they came up with. They came up with the dancing raisins and the balloon blow up.
I have never done the explosion experiment but think that it would be a memorable activity for the children and great that they can be in groups. They also love making a mess!
I have made oobleck in class before but like the idea of calling it Alien Slime. The Netflix show Emily’s Wonder Lab has lots of child friendly experiments that I have used in class including the oobleck one. The children really enjoy the show and I have also used it on wet days.
The use of online resources and digital tools can greatly enhance the development of science skills in the classroom. Interactive platforms such as Stellarium allow children to explore the night sky by identifying stars, planets, and constellations in an engaging and age-appropriate way. This encourages observation, questioning, and curiosity about space while developing scientific investigation skills.
Universe in a Box provides hands-on activities and supporting materials that make complex space concepts accessible to young learners. These practical investigations promote predicting, observing, recording, and communicating findings, all of which are key science skills in the primary curriculum.
Marvin and Milo offers simple science experiments using everyday household materials. These activities encourage pupils to explore scientific concepts through inquiry-based learning, helping them to make predictions, test ideas, and explain results. The experiments are enjoyable and foster problem-solving and critical thinking. The graphics are also very attractive to the children.
The European Space Agency provides a wide range of free educational resources, videos, and classroom activities that introduce children to topics such as the Solar System, astronauts, and Earth observation. These resources support differentiated learning and promote digital literacy alongside scientific understanding.
I look forward to using these tools from September to encourage curiosity and enhance teaching and learning about space and science skills in general.
I like the idea of getting the children to design and make outfits appropriate for each season. It’s an activity that would work well in a multigrade situation and could be used as project work.
Activity set: Stars
Class: 1st-3rd
The subject of constellations really appealed to me and my class group. I would use this topic as a series of lessons for my multigrade class.
I would begin by showing images of well-known constellations such as Orion and Ursa Major. Discuss how different cultures created their own star stories. The children would then do the Looking at the Plough from Two different ways activity with either wool or sticks depending on their ability. Hanging the wool version from the ceiling will keep the children interested in the topic.
Finding Patterns in the Night Sky
Review the previous lesson before exploring how constellations help people find directions and identify seasons. Explain that the stars appear to move because Earth rotates. Children use star maps to locate a few simple constellations and compare their shapes. They complete a matching game, connecting constellation names to their patterns and then complete the draw your own constellation activity from the Space Week resources.
Introduce myths from different cultures connected to the stars, showing how people have interpreted the night sky in unique ways. Children compare two constellation legends and discuss similarities and differences. To finish up the children will do the Lots and Lots of Stars, Making a starry sky art activity.
Aliens is such a fun and engaging topic with endless opportunities! There are so many picture books, art activities and cooperative games that can be included in the topic. It’s one that the children will definitely remember.
This is a lovely lesson. I like the section about the man on the moon. This could be easily extended or followed up by a story book about the moon such as The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield.
The Sun and Shadows (1st–3rd Class)
The Sun and Shadows
Pupils will investigate how the Sun creates shadows and explore how shadows change depending on the position of a light source.
Start the lesson by asking questions like,
· What makes a shadow?
· why do they change?
· Why is my shadow sometimes behind me/in front of me/beside me?
Pupils share their ideas and predict when and where shadows might appear. When they come up with the idea that the sun or light causes shadows explore more questions about the sun.
The class goes outside (or uses a torch indoors) to observe their own shadows. They notice the size, shape, and direction of their shadows and discuss what happens when they move or when the light source changes position.
Back in the classroom, pupils work in small groups with a torch and a selection of toys. They shine the light on each object, observing how different positions create different-sized shadows. Ask the children questions like:
· What do you notice?
· What happens when the torch moves closer or further away?
To conclude, pupils place their chosen toy on a large sheet of paper and use the torch to create a clear shadow. They carefully draw around the shadow before decorating it with colour and adding details to create a piece of shadow art. The lesson finishes with a class discussion where pupils explain what they discovered about light and shadows, demonstrating their understanding through both scientific observation and creative expression.
An extension to this could be the children drawing around each others shadows with chalk outside.
Great idea Sarah. Children love the hands on approach and love being able to mess about with water. I like that the lesson is easy to extend and modify as required with children bringing in their own items and taking ownership of their own learning.
Inquiry-Based Lesson Plan: Moon phases (1st–3rd Class)
Topic: Why does the Moon change shape?
Learning Intention: Pupils will investigate why the Moon appears to change shape by asking questions, making predictions, observing a model, and sharing their findings.
Begin by showing pupils pictures of the Moon in different phases.
Ask open-ended questions such as, What do you notice? Why do you think the Moon changes shape? Pupils share their ideas and make predictions.
Working in small groups, pupils use a torch to represent the Sun, a small white ball as the Moon, and one pupil as Earth. They move the Moon around the Earth while observing how the light falls on the ball. Encourage discussion with questions like, What do you notice? What changes as the Moon moves?
After the investigation, groups discuss their observations and compare them with their original predictions. Introduce the concept of the Moon’s phases, linking it to the pupils’ discoveries.
To assess learning, pupils complete a simple drawing of the Moon’s phases and write or say one new fact they learned. This inquiry-based lesson promotes curiosity, observation, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication while developing pupils’ understanding of basic space concepts through hands-on exploration.