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I found this module very interesting and a lot of new ideas were covered. My school, like many others always make a huge effort to participate in science week. We are fortunate to be located near NUI Galway and each year the university offers wonderful activities and demonstrations which the children can attend. However, Space week isn’t as popular in my school. After completeing this course I intend to participate in space with week my class next year.
In my opinion it is important to integrating the other subject areas into Space Week and this is easily done at infant level.
English: Reading the books “Aliens have underpants”
Maths: counting/ adding aliensArt: Designing Rockets
Science: How can a shadow tell the time? How do clouds make it darker? Where is the Sun relative to us?Space is such a wonderful thematic approach to teaching several subjects and such an easy thing to do at infant level. </span></p>
Hi Frances,
To add to the Lesson, I would show the children a youtube clip of Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 moon landing.Science inquiry skills such as questioning; observing and predicting will be developed during this lesson by:
Exploring the events of the moon landing.
Raise questions about what it would feel like to travel in a Rocket.Make careful observations about what they have seen in the youtube clip.
Describe (including shape, size, compare the rockets they have constructed from recycled materials.
Hi Darerca, thank you for sharing. Thats a wonderful use of the class novel. i love the ideas of exploring the differnt climates in the countries that Rover visits.
This module was very insightful and interesting and featured many really nice activities. I really enjoyed the activities based on the weather, the seasons and what clothes to wear.
To begin the lesson I would explore the seasons by showing the class pictures of each season and identify key features of each season e.g. Winter snow, autumn leaves changing colour, spring trees budding, summer the beach. I would give the children pictures of the different seasons to colour in and ask them what they see in the pictures. The class could then discuss different types of weather and the four different seasons. Following on from that I would have a bag of clothes, where the children select an item of clothing and match it to the season. E.g. gloves, t-shirt, swimming togs, jumper.As the children are selecting clothes I would question them and talk about hot weather and cold weather.This is a lovely activity that I think the children, whereby the children are actively engaged in learning and they would enjoy it.Hi Ailbhe, using the David Attenborough “wonderful world” clip is a great idea and a lovely introduction to any lesson on space.
I would begin the lesson by asking the children to imagine that they are going on a trip to space in a rocket. What would you need to pack for the journey?
I would introduce the book “Aliens love underpants” to the class. I would involve the class in a whole class discussion about aliens. What they think they look like. The children could create your own alien pictures. To cater for children with SEN they could Colour the alien pictures.
I would then get the children to design a rocket that you could use to travel into space. We would make the rocket from recycled materials. Children love building and creating and this lesson will keep students entertained and engaged with plenty of creative play. The children can work on developing fine motor skills and following directions when creating their own unique space rockets.
Hi Bernadette, I also agree that bringing the childen outside to discover their shadows is very worthwhile learning experience. They are actively engaged in the activity and they really enjoy the lesson.
Activity Set: Sun and Shadows
I would begin the lesson with Pictures of a cloudy and sunny day (in the sunny day try to include shadows). I would elicit the children’s prior knowledge by asking the following questions:
Why is it darker on a cloudy day?
What does the Sun give us? Is the Sun important?
I would involve children in a whole class discussion based on their responses.
What will be the shape, size and colour of the shadows? Children should explain their understanding of shadows.I would continue the lesson by exploring outside. Go outside on a sunny day. Stand in a place where you can use chalk to mark out your shadow. Have children work in pairs to draw a shadow around each other. What does your shadow look like? Is it the exact shape of the person? Why? When can you see your shadow best of all? Do you always have a shadow? How do you think shadows are formed? Where is the light coming from?
I would also allow them play in school yard making shadows with their bodies or finding shadows made by other objects.Then add a reflection (150 words min) on how you would use one inquiry-based activity in your classroom
The Sky at Night
I would begin the lesson about the night sky by asking the children to think about the topic and have them share what they already know. They can share virtually, on a piece of paper or by talking in a small group. Students could draw pictures of different things they see in the night sky, moon, stars, planets, shooting stars.The children are given the opportunity to share what they have seen or experiences they’ve had, relating to the lesson and their personal knowledge and memories.I would then encourage students to wonder about the topic. Their ideas will lead them to ask questions and become curious about the Night sky. This approach puts students in the centre of the learning and offers opportunities for every child to feel included.Children learn better when they’re curious, using student questions to guide lessons—start where the students show interest and then lead them into the new content.
