Over the past month, Junior Infants have been fully engaged in Maths Week and Space Week, exploring mathematical concepts and STEM learning through active learning, play, and collaboration.
Throughout the week, we focused on developing early mathematical understanding in fun, hands-on ways. Using our Maths Eyes, we looked for shapes, patterns, and numbers in the classroom and the outdoor environment. During our Shape Hunt, we explored how maths exists all around us — in nature, in buildings, and in the objects we use every day. We observed, recorded, and discussed our findings, building on our language, reasoning, and observation skills.
Our Active Maths sessions encouraged movement, teamwork, and problem-solving. We counted, measured, and compared objects, using games and challenges to make learning dynamic and meaningful. Outdoors, we took part in Maths in Nature activities — exploring patterns in leaves, counting natural materials, and using spatial language such as over, under, beside, and between.
We also enjoyed Playdough Maths, shaping numbers, creating repeating patterns, and building 2D and 3D shapes. These fine motor activities supported early number sense and creative expression.
As part of Space Week, our learning extended into science and design. We discovered fascinating facts about the planets, sang songs to help us remember their order, and created our own space-themed playdough models. We each designed and launched our very own rockets — an experience that filled the classroom with excitement and wonder! We designed and launched our own rockets, exploring ideas of force, motion, and height — integrating early STEM concepts through play and inquiry.
Our classroom then transformed into a building office and construction site as we became engineers, builders, and architects. Using blocks, recycled materials, and construction toys, we designed and built structures, buildings, and space creations, linking mathematical thinking to engineering design, balance, and spatial awareness. These activities encouraged collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking — key skills in the Primary Curriculum Framework
Maths and Space Week was a celebration of curiosity and creativity, helping our youngest learners see the connections between maths, science, and the world around them. Through exploration, play, and teamwork, the children discovered that learning truly can take you out of this world!
