Using Tim Peake in the classroom

With the release of Star Wars as well as Tim Peake's mission to the International Space Station, the children in my class (and probably yours) are totally obsessed with space.  After watching the launch and signing up to TES's Live Link on the 2nd February (if you haven't done so already make sure you do by clicking here) plus the interest surrounding his space walk today, Tim Peake has already inspired so many children to learn more about space.  We need to tap into that enthusiasm.

The following links all allow you to see what Tim Peake has and will continue to see, as you can virtually explore the ISS, the stratosphere, views of the Earth and much more.  By allowing your children to explore and imagine what life as an astronaut is like, it should inspire them to produce some amazing writing.  Whether it's a diary entry as Tim, a story about a space mission or a description of the views in space, there are so many possibilities and I am sure your children will be enthused and excited.  The following links are also all iPad friendly, so children could even take screen shots to make storyboards, import them into Book Creator or make a slideshow/movie with voice over.  You could even use some of the videos and tours as a green screen backdrop.  There is so much potential. 

Virtual tour of the ISS http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/virtual-tour-iss/

Live stream from the ISS http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/HDEV/

Follow the ISS in real time and see Tim Peake's view live. 

Virtual tour of the Discovery space shuttle http://360vr.com/2012/02/16/discovery-flight-deck_2193/

Whilst this doesn't have as much to do with Tim Peake, it's still a great tour that really gives you an insight into what life as an astronaut is like. 

Stratosphere AirPano http://www.airpano.ru/files/Stratosphere/m-2

Obviously not as high above the Earth as the ISS but this panorama still gives you some brilliant views.

Soyuz rocket launch AirPano http://www.airpano.ru/files/Rocket/m-2

Again, not specifically Tim Peake but still an interesting and engaging panorama. 

NASA interactive content, videos and pictures http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/mmgallery/index.html#.VplATHrfWK2

Lots of brilliant content here, from interactive tours to stunning photographs and videos of recent missions and operations. 

Please let me know if you use any of the ideas here or if you have any that I haven't mentioned!

Thanks, 

Tom

@teach_fresh

 

Star Wars in the classroom

With the release of the new Star Wars trailer I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the film franchise to inspire learning.   

Star Wars Scene Maker (this app is rated 9+ on the App Store so you're looking at upper KS2)

                                  

       

First things first, this app does have a great deal of potential but at a cost.  For me, I will make the most of the free elements before deciding whether to purchase extra scenes, characters and weapons etc.  I think that there is enough to play with initially without having to purchase these extras. 

Basically the app allows you to create and direct your own scenes by selecting characters and giving them commands.  This links nicely to creating algorithms and instructions and allows the children to watch their action unfold straight away.  

As you can see above, there is a great deal of flexibility in terms of the commands available and a lot of freedom for children to create their own scenes.  

You can also add dialogue by recording your voice for each of the characters and one of the most exciting parts of the app for me is the ability to add effects to your voice, such as making it sound like a Stormtrooper or Darth Vader!  It's such a simple idea and works really well.  

When you have decided what is going to happen in your scene and have made sure all of the characters and vehicles etc know what they are doing, you can record it. 

This gives you the chance to be a director as you can choose your camera angles and change between them very easily.  Again, this freedom makes the whole process very engaging and forces you to think carefully about how you want to show your story.  George Lucas watch out. 

Once the scene has been created you can now add the finishing touches, like the classic Star Wars opening crawl, soundtrack and end credits.  

What you are left with is a really polished, professional looking movie, which can then be used to inspire writing!  Asking the children to write the story of the scene they have created gives them ownership and also guidance in that the storyline itself has already been decided.  This means they can concentrate fully on their descriptive writing and they can even watch and rewatch their scene to help them.  

I will be trying this with my Year 5 class after half term and we will see what they come up with! 

Thanks for reading. 

Tom

@teach_fresh