For our class plan for space week in senior infants class we could complete a number of activities that are inspired by the content of these modules so far.
Going to Space
Create an area where children can dress up as astronauts using costumes like helmets made from cardboard and aluminium foil. Set up a space-themed backdrop for a photo booth. Kids can take turns dressing up and having their photos taken as astronauts. Use clips from ISS and NASA.
Sensory Moon Landing
We would make moon sand using 8 cups of flour and 1 cup of baby oil. Then let the children mould and shape the moon sand, and provide small space toys, astronauts and rocks for added fun. Watch the clip of the first moon landing to inspire the play.
Make Space Rockets
Provide materials such as toilet paper rolls, coloured paper, glue, scissors, and markers. Have the children create their own space rockets by decorating the rolls. They can use coloured paper for fins and windows, and draw flames at the bottom to represent the rocket blasting off. Link in with counting in maths count down from 10-0
Making a Planet Mobile of the Solar System
Help the children create a mobile featuring the planets in our solar system. Provide templates of planets, which they can colour, cut out, and attach to strings. Use a hanger or a circular piece of cardboard as the base to hang the planets from. This activity combines art with learning about the different planets.
Literacy:
Read a space-themed book such as ‘How to catch a star’ by Oliver Jeffers. Follow up the reading with a discussion about the different planets, stars, and space exploration. You can even use a projector to show pictures of the planets and stars.
Making a constellation
Provide black construction paper, white crayons, and battery tea lights. Let the children create their own night sky scenes by drawing stars, moons, and planets, and battery tea lights/sticking on star stickers. For added effect, you can use glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint, so their artwork glows when the lights are off.