I choose to create a class plan to engage with Space Week-
During Space Week the children will explore the wonders of space through hands-on activities, stories, songs, and creative projects. This cross-curricular lesson plan integrates various subjects to introduce infants to basic space concepts, nurturing their curiosity and creativity.
Day 1: Introduction to Space
Activity: Welcome to Space Week!
Circle Time Discussion: Introduce Space Week by talking about what space is. Ask the children if they have ever looked at the stars or seen the moon at night.
Book Reading: Read a space-themed book like “There’s No Place Like Space!” by Tish Rabe. Discuss the characters and what they learned about space. Ask the children to draw a picture of what they think space looks like. Encourage them to label their drawings with simple words like “star,” “moon,” or “rocket.”
Day 2: The Sun, Moon, and Stars through Science and Art
Activity: Day and Night
Talk about the sun as the big star that gives us light and warmth. Discuss the moon and stars as things we see at night.
Create a “Day and Night” collage. Provide blue and black construction paper for the night sky and yellow and orange paper for the day. Students can add stars, the moon, and the sun using crayons, cotton balls (for clouds), and star stickers. Use flashlights to create “stars” in a darkened room. Let the children pretend to be astronauts exploring the night sky with their flashlights.
Day 3: Exploring the Planets
Activity: Meet the Planets
Introduce the planets by showing pictures or models of the solar system.
For a simple Maths lesson use planet-themed counting activities. For example, count the number of stars, or count backwards like a rocket launch: “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blast Off!”
A nice Art lesson would be to create their own planet using paper plates and paint. They can decorate their planets with glitter, stickers, and markers, and then compare the sizes.
Day 4: Space Travel and Astronauts
Activity: Let’s Pretend to Be Astronauts
Story: Read a book about astronauts, such as “The Darkest Dark” by Chris Hadfield, and discuss what astronauts do.
Role Play: Set up a “spaceship” using chairs or large cardboard boxes. Children can wear simple astronaut costumes and take turns being the pilot, co-pilot, and mission control.
Music: Play a space-themed song like “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon.” Have the children act out the song, pretending to zoom through space and land on the moon.
Day 5: Space Art
Activity: Create Your Own Galaxy
The children will create their own galaxy by splattering white paint on black or dark blue construction paper to make stars. Add planets and other celestial bodies using cut-out shapes.
Reflection: Gather the children in a circle and have them share what they liked most about Space Week. They can also share their artwork with the class.
Updated Coggle mindmap on Space- https://coggle.it/diagram/ZrDTX5IiZZGA57kO/t/-