Science · 1st Class

Active learning ideas

What is Our Environment?

Let's explore our very own environment, the classroom, and become 'Tidy-Up Heroes'. We'll discover how looking after our shared space makes it a happier and safer place for everyone to learn and play.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary Science - Strand: Environmental Awareness and Care

• 10–20 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Outdoor Investigation Session
• 10 min · Small Groups

Tidy-Up Team Challenge

Divide the class into small teams and assign each a specific area of the classroom. Set a five-minute timer and challenge the teams to work together to make their area as tidy as possible, focusing on cooperation rather than speed.

Identify three things that are part of your classroom environment.

Facilitation Tip

Before you begin, clearly model what a 'tidy' space looks like so the children have a clear goal.

What to look for

Teacher observation during daily tidy-up time, using a simple checklist to note pupils' participation, cooperation, and independence.

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Outdoor Investigation Session
• 15 min · Pairs

Happy Place, Sad Place Sorting

Give pairs of children a set of laminated pictures showing both very tidy and very messy spaces (e.g., bedrooms, parks, classrooms). Ask them to sort the pictures into two piles, 'happy places' and 'sad places', and then discuss their reasons with the class.

Explain why it is nice to have a clean and tidy space to learn and play.

Facilitation Tip

Use open-ended questions like, 'What do you see that makes this a happy place?' to encourage descriptive language.

What to look for

Use an 'exit ticket' where pupils draw one thing they did that day to help look after the classroom environment.

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Outdoor Investigation Session
• 20 min · Whole Class

Our Classroom Charter

As a whole class, brainstorm a list of simple rules for keeping the classroom tidy. Write these on a large sheet of paper and have children draw pictures to illustrate each rule, creating a 'charter' to display on the wall.

Compare the things you see inside the school with the things you see outside in the school garden.

Facilitation Tip

Phrase the rules positively, for example, use 'Put coats on hooks' instead of 'Don't leave coats on the floor'.

What to look for

At the end of the day, pupils give a 'thumbs up, middle, or thumbs down' to show how well they think they helped to keep the classroom tidy.

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin with a relatable story about a messy room to engage the children emotionally. Use clear, visual examples of 'tidy' and 'messy' to ensure understanding. Frame all tidying activities as fun, helpful games rather than chores, and be sure to consistently praise effort and teamwork.

Following these activities, your pupils will be able to explain in their own words why it is important to be tidy. They will be able to actively participate in looking after their classroom and feel proud of their contribution.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Tidying up is a grown-up's job.

  Everyone who uses a space helps to look after it. When we all do a little bit, the job gets done very quickly and we can all enjoy our lovely, tidy classroom.

• My small bit of mess doesn't matter.

  Every little piece of mess adds up to make a big mess. In the same way, every little bit of tidying, like picking up one crayon, helps a lot to make the whole room clean.

• Being tidy means you can't have fun and make a mess when you play.

  It's brilliant to make a mess when you are playing and being creative! Being tidy just means putting things back where they belong when you are finished, so they are safe and ready for the next person to use.

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Methods used in this brief

• Outdoor Investigation Session