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Space in the Early Years
Jan Homden Consilium Education
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Space Moon Day on July 20th
Aldrin poses on the Moon,
Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first humans on the moon
on July 20, 1969
Watch the 1st moon
landing Neil Armstrong - First Moon
Landing 1969
Neil Armstrong, the first man
to set foot on the moon, said,
"That's one small step for
man, one giant leap for
mankind."
Click on the picture to follow the
link
Read on for lots of fun activities to
celebrate space.
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What about this idea as a fantastic entry
point to an Early Years topic on space?
At Wynstream Primary School in Exeter, Devon, the
children discovered an alien space ship had crash
landed at their school!
The children’s faces say it all! - click on the
picture to follow the link
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Talk to the children about Major Tim Peake
On December 15th 2015, British astronaut Tim Peake blasted off
into space to join The International Space Station for an exciting
six month mission. The International Space Station is a large spacecraft in orbit around Earth. It
serves as a home where crews of astronauts and cosmonauts live. The space
station is also a unique science laboratory. Several nations worked together to
build and use the space station. The space station is made of parts that were
assembled in space by astronauts. NASA is using the space station to learn
more about living and working in space. These lessons will make it possible to
send humans farther into space than ever before.
'First Doll in Space': 'Stargazer Lottie' Joins Astronauts
Aboard ISS
You might like to introduce your children to
Lottie, a very special doll inspired by 6 year old
Abigail from Canada who has a real passion for
astronomy and space exploration. To learn
more about Lottie and watch Abigail’s video
click on Lottie to follow the link to NBC News.
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Click on the image to watch the launch
as Tim Peake blasts off to the
International Space Station
Click on the image below to listen to the
children who watched the launch at
London’s Science Museum
To show your children these photographs
of the Space Station click on the images
Join the ESERO-UK Tim Peake Primary Project to connect your
school with British astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the
International Space Station (ISS).
http://www.esero.org.uk/primaryproject
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Role Play
Don’t take those cardboard boxes to be recycled just
yet! Have hours of fun building a space rocket or
space station to go to the moon! Here are a few ideas for rockets from: https://www.pinterest.com
Rocket built by children from Bridge Hall
Primary School in Stockport
Click on the picture above to follow the link
And a space ship from: http://www.andreasteed.com/files/u2/spaceship.jpg
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Read the story “Whatever Next!” by Jill Murphy to
develop those ideas and think about what to take for
a trip to the moon - especially if you plan to have a
picnic!
A lovable tale about a little bear who
went to the moon and got back home
before bath-time!
If it is not possible to get a copy of this book
Click on the picture to follow the link -
a PowerPoint presentation of
Whatever Next!
Or
Watch an animated version of the
picture book. Unfortunately the
quality is not so good. Click on the picture to follow the link
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To extend role-play and resources for the writing
table (based on the story) look at these web-sites
For visual aids, role play banner and page borders
Click on the picture above to follow the link
Whatever Next!
Story sack resource pack and lots more
Click on the picture above to follow the link
For Foundation Weekly Plans based on ‘Whatever Next! ’ have a look
at Abacus Evolve Foundation from Pearson Education. Click on the
abacus below.
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More stories about space Recommended picture books that
children love – reviewed by Amazon
Papa, please get the moon for me by Eric Carle
‘Monica wants the moon to play with, so her Papa sets out to get it.
It isn't easy to climb to the moon, but he finally succeeds -- only to
find the moon is too big to carry home. Children will love the joyful
way in which this problem is solved.’
Little Kipper - Rocket by Mick Inkpen
‘Kipper's friend, Tiger, has a new toy rocket but when he
blasts it up into Space, will it ever come down? Created by
master storyteller, Mick Inkpen, the Kipper series is
extremely popular with young children.’
Man on the Moon by Simon Bartram
‘The everyday story of an ordinary man? Well, sort of. Bob is the
man on the moon, and he has a very special job, looking after the
moon, cleaning it up, showing visitors around and selling souvenirs.’
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Aliens Love Underpants! by Claire Freedman
"Aliens love underpants, in every shape and size, but there are no
underpants in space, so here's a big surprise..." ‘You probably
thought aliens came down to Earth with a view to taking over the
planet - but, no, they simply want to steal your pants! This zany,
hilarious tale, delightfully brought to life by Ben Cort's vibrant
illustrations, is sure to enchant and amuse everyone.’
On the Moon (Usborne Picture Books)
Author/Editor: Anna Milbourne Illustrator: Benji
Davies
“excellent first space book”
English Association Book Awards for the Best Books of 2004
‘This is an artist-led picture book, which introduces
young children to the vastness of the universe, how far
away the moon is, what gravity is and the concept of space travel through a gentle and
captivating story about an imaginative little girl. Combining full colour illustrations with
NASA photographs from the surface of the moon, this beautifully illustrated picture book
takes young children on an amazing journey into outer space. ‘
Q Pootle 5 by Nick Butterworth
‘New format reissue of the first picture book featuring
loveable little alien Q Pootle 5, from the creator of the
popular Percy the Park Keeper series.
Q Pootle 5 is on his way to a moon party when his
rocket falls to Earth in need of some repairs…Q Pootle
5 thinks he knows what the problem is, in fact he is
sure. The problem is that the rocket is broken, it needs
a new rocket booster. But where on earth will this little alien find a rocket booster?
10 | P a g e
Space Poems by Gaby Morgan
‘Blast off into space with this spectacular collection of poems
about galaxies, the moon, planets, stars, rockets, astronauts,
UFOs, aliens, black holes, the milky-way and space pets, and
that's just for starters!’
How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers (Author,
Illustrator)
‘An inspirational story of a boy who loved the stars so much,
he decided to catch one of his very own. The beautifully
illustrated, original debut picture book from shining talent
Oliver Jeffers. There once was a boy who loved stars so
much that he wished he had one of his very own. So, one day,
he decided to set about catching a star of his very own…’
The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers (Author, Illustrator)
Another exciting intergalactic adventure from shining star
Oliver Jeffers.
‘One day a boy finds an aeroplane in his cupboard. Up, up, up
and away he flies, high into the sky. Whizzing past clouds,
stars and planets until suddenly, he runs out of petrol! Miles
from earth, the boy crashes into the moon and waits. Just
as he is beginning to get cold and lonely, a friendly Martian
appears from the darkness, also with a broken aircraft.
Together they come up with a super plan to float the boy back down to earth to collect
his toolbox.’
All these books are available through www.amazon.co.uk
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Songs and Rhymes to join in with:
5 Little Men in a Flying Saucer
Sing-Along Animation. From: www.twinkl.co.uk
Click on the picture to follow the link
Download these free accompanying resources
From: http://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/nursery-rhyme/five-little-men-in-a-
flying-saucer
Alien Role Play Masks
Five Little Men in a Flying Saucer Stick Puppets
Zoom Zoom Zoom, We're
Going to the Moon
The classic kid's song, Zoom Zoom Zoom,
We're Going to the Moon, performed by
kidslove2learn - Click on the picture to
follow the links
join in with the chorus (see below)
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Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going very soon.
If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,
Blast off!
Space Song Rocket Ride
Barefoot Books
Click on the image to follow the link
The Solar System Song
(with lyrics)
KidsTV123
Click on the picture to follow the link
Great song to inform the children about the Solar System. This song was
written and performed by A.J. Jenkins. Video by KidsTV123
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CLIMB ABOARD THE SPACESHIP
Tune: “Incy, Wincy Spider”
Climb aboard the spaceship,
We’re going to the moon.
Hurry and get ready,
We’re going to blast off soon.
Put on your helmets
And buckle up real tight.
Here comes the countdown.
Let’s count with all our might.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1- Blast Off!
Elizabeth McKinnon
WE’RE FLYING TO THE MOON
Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
We’re flying to the moon.
We’re going to blast off soon.
Grab your helmets and your suits.
We’re flying to the moon.
Did you feel the blast?
We’re climbing up so fast.
Hang on tight, what a sight!
We’re flying to the moon.
We’re soaring through the air.
I think we’re almost there.
Retro Rockets going off!
We’ve landed on the moon!
We climb down the stairs,
With our tanks of air.
We plant a flag, then grab some rocks
And take them back to Earth.
We’re flying oh so fast.
Then we’re home at last.
What a flight, what a sight.
Flying to the moon!
Jean Warren
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I’M A LITTLE ASTRONAUT
Tune: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a little astronaut
Flying to the moon.
My rocket is ready,
We blast off soon.
I climb aboard
And close the hatch.
5-4-3-2-1, off we blast!
Jean Warren
THE MAN IN THE MOON
The man in the moon,
Looked out of the moon
Looked out of the moon and said,
“It’s time for all the children on Earth
To think about getting to bed!”
Traditional
I SEE THE MOON
I see the moon
And the moon sees me.
God bless the moon
And God bless me!
Traditional
For more moon songs and rhymes visit:
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/music-station08/moon-songs-
rhymes-jun-jul08.shtml
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Music to listen to:
Ground Control to Major Tom
Major Tom is a fictional astronaut referenced in David
Bowie's songs "Space Oddity"
Click on the picture to follow the link
Gustav Holst - Mars
Mars, from Gustav Holst's Planet Suite, being played by
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and
conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.
Click on the picture to follow the link
Gustav Holst – Jupiter
Jupiter, from Gustav Holst's Planet Suite, being played by
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted
by Sir Charles Mackerras.
Click on the picture to follow the link
War of the Worlds music part 1 The First Track of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The
War of the Worlds
This would be great for movement and dance
sessions
Click on the picture to follow the link
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Space Themed Ideas & Activities for Early
Years
Outer Space, Astronauts Theme and
Activities
Click on the logo to follow the link
Space & the Planets
Free Early Learning Resources for Teachers Click on the logo to follow the link
Space Station Role Play Resources
To support learning through a role play area, we have made many fun school
resources for educators to use when teaching children about a space station and
outer space. These resources are also great to motivate boys in the classroom.
Many of the space station role play resources have been given a time saving double
mounted effect, which will also save on your classroom stationery. Our space
station clock is great to teach kids about the time. Our portholes have different
planets and space themed images to help teach about space.
Click on the portholes to follow the link
Space Crafts and Ideas to Inspire
Lots of great ideas
Click on the picture to follow the link
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Construction with large 3D Shapes
On the carpet in small groups have the children design and make a
rocket or space ship using 3D shapes. Are they all participating,
collaborating and listening to each other’s ideas? Are they able to
change or adapt their model if someone makes a good suggestion?
Estimation
Early morning challenge
You need coloured marbles in different sizes
(planets) and a clear plastic
storage jar with screw on top
Each morning for a week put a different number of ‘planets’ in the
jar and screw on the top. Stick lots of ‘post-it’ notes on a table and
put out pencils. As the children come into class ask them to guess
how many planets are in the jar and to write the number on a post-it.
They also write their name and stick their post-it on to the
whiteboard. At the start of your maths lesson show the jar again to
the children and ask them if they think there are more than 10
planets in the jar or less than 10 planets in the jar, more than 20
etc. Unscrew the lid and empty out the marbles - hold them up one
by one as everyone counts. Check all the post-it notes on the board.
Big clap for everyone who had a go and big clap for everyone who
guessed the correct number.
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Moonscape in the ‘tuff spot’
Children will enjoy making up their own space
stories….
Create a moonscape with sand and rocks
in the tuff spot. Add rockets,
spaceships, spacemen and maybe a few
aliens! Or make
your own space
models and aliens.
Click on the picture to follow the link
In the Sand Tray - Make craters with
marbles
I loved this idea from Mosshead Primary School
in Glasgow who ‘recreated the appearance of the
moon by making craters in the sand trays’
Click on the picture to follow the link
In the Water Tray – watch ‘jelly crystals’ grow!
Add ‘jelly crystals’ or ‘water
marbles’ which start out as
tiny, colourful balls and grow
200 times their size when
placed in water. Click on the picture to follow the link
Note: remind children not to put things into their mouth. If using the jelly crystals in
the water tray for children to pour or fill various containers, adult supervision may be
required if the children are very young.
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At the Messy Table
Moon Rock Craft from ‘dltk kids’
Click on the moon rock to follow the link
Spikey aliens The children will have fun making their
alien from modelling clay, matchsticks
and googly eyes
Click on the aliens to follow the link
Stretchy night sky playdough – recipe from Stephanie at Twodaloo Click on the playdough to follow the link
Ingredients
1 cup water*
Black Food Colouring
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon gelatine (1/2 envelope)
GENEROUS amounts of glitter (We used several colours of regular sized and fine
glitter to give the playdough a cosmic appearance
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Make a balloon rocket to fly across the classroom!
For simple instructions and questions to extend the experiment click
on the picture above to follow the link to ‘Science Bob’.
For a variation on the theme read
how Mrs. Spolter and Mrs. Bergere
captivated their Pre-K class when
the balloon rocket they made took
off vertically. The children counted
down from 10 and watched their
rocket soar on ‘Blast Off’!
Click on the picture to follow the link to their blog.
For more ideas go to pinterest – click on the link
www.pinterest.com/explore/balloon-rocket/
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Listen to John William’s music from Star Wars
‘The Throne Room’.
Played by
Stanisław Moniuszko School of Music Symphony
Orchestra in Bielsko Biała, Poland
Click on the image above to follow the link
May the force be
with you!
