Activity Set: Rockets
I would begin the lesson reading the poem ‘Space Walking’ to open the discussion on rockets and Space and determine what they children know about rockets; we will mind map our knowledge on the board together as a class. I will tell them that Teddy wants to send a letter to his alien friend who lives in Space. You could integrate a literacy lesson here also and the children can help Teddy write the letter to his friend. Children will then design their own rockets harnessing the power of a balloon to make them launch. We would discuss materials that we might need and using measuring sticks the children will predict how far they think their balloon might launch. Each measurement will be marked out with chalk and we can see which child/group is the closest to their estimate. I always find this add a bit of excitement for the kids and teachers alike!!
We would finish the lesson with the sing along song ‘Space Song Rocket Ride’ (attached below)