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I have to say I found both resources given excellent. The background information and facts given provided a nice bit of information for the teacher. The lesson plans were clear and easy to follow and the worksheets provided were nicely laid out.
For the first resource (nose in the sky) I would:
· Ask the children to ask their parents/ grandparents for weather proverbs and then research the background of these in small groups and see what the truth is and if there is any science behind them.
· I would use the sensory weather observation worksheet. I would build a weather station on the school grounds also. The senior classes could make the instruments as instructed (rain gauge and wind speed). The younger classes could use the weather instruments that the school has. All classes would be invited to visit the station and use the weekly weather chart to record their findings. I liked the weather stamps provided too and I think the younger classes would use these.
For the second resource (Weather verses Climate)
· I would use the weather v climate statements and the worksheet to go with this activity.
· I liked the weather detectives activity and it would tie in nicely with the weather station above.
· I like the climate reporters activity and I would use the videos given : Paxi’s video about the Greenhouse effect’ and’ C35 Climate energy education demonstration’.
I enjoyed module 5 : Rockets and Alien Chemistry.
I really love the idea of making rockets and this would be a lovely activity for 1st /2nd class. I would use a story as a starter activity (as suggested) , I actually have the book ‘ The Way Back Home’.
Primary Science.ie has a wide range of suggestions for making rockets. Perhaps you could use this during station teaching and each station could make different types. I really liked the foam rockets, the balloon rockets and I think the Rocket Mice activity would go down well also …great scope for predicting and reflecting here. I would also use the suggested investigation …launching the foam rocket. This would be a nice outdoor activity which could have a mathematical element to it –estimate and then measuring the distance your rocket went, with infants you could use steps or books to measure, with older classes maybe a trundle wheel. Lastly I would use the lesson that shows you how to make a rocket with a fizzy tablet inside. I think this would be a great hit. There are also some great clips on you tube showing footage of rocket launches and being inside a rocket, these clips could be a great springboard for a writing activity or perhaps drama.
Hi Laura, this sounds like a fun activity! I think the children would really enjoy this and what a great way to link the theme to other subjects across the curriculum.
There was a huge amount of resources and activities provided in this module! I particularly liked the online tools to support science and space. As a teacher I could see myself using the ESA website, it is very well laid out and informative. I think the children would enjoy the ESA kids site. Some of the games here such as ‘Milky Way Match’ would be lovely for a station in Aistear (using I pads).
I also loved the Stellarium software. I love that you can view the sky from and point in the world …. We have pupils from other countries …it would be lovely to view the night sky from their home town. I also liked the nice simple explanation given for finding the north star. I will use the idea of asking children to take a selfie with the north star behind them. I also liked the way you can show the constellations with/without their ‘picture’. The calendar function would also be handy for observing the phases of the moon also. This excellent resource would be great for senior classes.
Hi Michelle, I agree that the interactive games would be a great tool in the infant room ! This would make a nice station activity in Aistear.
I again found this module very interesting and full of ideas and resources. I like that the activities put the complex information into such simple and clear language for the children.
I would like to try an activity from the Stars set : Lots of stars.
How many stars: The lesson plan is well laid out and easy to follow. I really liked the idea of using clear containers and marbles to explore this concept. The idea of adding 5 then maybe 30 then a full jar. The discussion sheet provided would also be great here.
Making a Starry Sky: This is an activity that children would really enjoy. I like that it introduces the concept that stars are different colours too. I think I would do it as a group activity using a very large sheet of paper. I think this would be messy but fun ! The children would enjoy splattering the paint using toothbrushes, combs and lollypop sticks also. Asking them to try and count the stars after would be fun also and then you could explain that there are so many stars that humans need to use a computer to count them.
Hi Linda yes I agree the song is nice and catchy …I think it would be a nice starter activity for 1st /2nd class! I like the moon rhyme also.
Shona
I found this module very practical and helpful. The resources given are very well structured and laid out. I thought the You Tube clips were a nice resource also. The activity sets very excellent. I liked the set based on the moon and would use as follows:
Man on the Moon: I really liked the rhyme given as a nice starter for this activity. The visual art activity would work well. There were plenty of images of the moon provided to give the children something to work from. I think the idea of identifying shapes on the moon is a great way to focus the children’s attention and they would enjoy this.
What does the Moon look like? I would use the idea of the word bank here, I also like the worksheets provided for the phases of the moon. I think the You Tube clip explained the whole concept in a clear, child friendly way. I would also like to bring the children out to observe the moon in the morning as suggested.
Meet our Neighbours : I loved the idea of building a tactile moon with fabric, sequins etc. I like the suggestion to draw attention to features such as mountains and craters.
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Hi this is my 4th attempt. I keep typing a reply and it gets blocked and de
leted ? Error 403 Forbidden. I took pictures of my last attempt..hopefully this works 
</p>Hi Susan, I love this idea !! I think it would lead to great discussions and has potential across the whole curriculum.
Hi, my name is Shona Murphy…..I am teaching in Co Waterford. I am currently in SET but am involved in promoting STEM in our school and I am also involved in Aistear and station teaching in the junior end so I thought this course would be interesting and helpful.
Space Fact :It would take over 1000 years for a spacecraft to cross our galaxy and we are like a grain of sand on an infinite beach …makes you feel small!!
Hi Michelle,
I agree that The Salmon of Knowledge is a great way to explore healthy eating in a cross curricular way.
Shona
