Stars, the Solar System, and Space
Activities
Make a rocketship
Materials (for each student)
- Piece of paper
- 2 pipe cleaners
- foil
- toilet paper roll
Give each student a set of the above supplies. Let them create their own
rocketship using those materials and nothing else (tape, glue, markers,
and scissors or also fine to have on hand). The students love this
because they get to use their own creativity. Let them share their
creation with the class listen to how amazing it is to here what they
come up with!
Constellations
Materials:
- black paper
- star stickers
After discussing with the students about how constellations are groups
of stars that make pictures in the sky we then create our own. Give each
student 5-6 star stickers to stick anywhere on their black paper.
Connect the stickers with chalk and decide what the constellation looks
like. The students then think of a name for it and write it on the paper.
More constellations
Materials:
- Black film canisters (you can sacks of them from any place that develops
film)
- Photo-copies of constellations
- Push pins
This is a favorite activity during our space unit. I use the photocopier
to decrease the size of different constellations. Tape the small picture
of the constellation onto the bottom of the film canister. Use a pushpin
to poke each place that has a dot or star on the picture. Remove the
picture and look through the canister. You will be able to see the
constellation.
Who Wants to be a Spaceanaire?
(played like Who Wants to be a Millionaire?)
I write lots of different questions onto space cards (samples below).
Each student has a turn in the "hot seat". I ask the
question and give three choices. The student can answer the question,
ask a friend, poll the audience or do 50/50. After the answer is given,
I usually say, "Is that your final answer?" If the child is right they
get to choose a space sticker to put on their shirt. I usually continue
with each student for 3 or 4 questions.
What planet do we live on?
Earth
What planet is nicknamed the red planet?
Mars
What is a group of stars that makes up pictures in the sky?
Constellation
How many planets are there in the solar system?
9
Which planet has air and water on it?
Earth
What are Saturn's rings made out of?
Ice, rock, dirt
How long does it take the earth to travel around the sun?
1 year
Which star is the center of our solar system
Sun
Which planet is the largest?
Jupiter
Which planet is tilted on its side?
Uranus
Which planet is the hottest?
Mercury
Crayon Resist Space Picture
Materials:
- White paper
- Crayons
- Watered down black paint
This easy project is a great one to use at centers. The students draw
and color a space picture using crayons. They can include rockets,
stars, planets, the moon, or sun. After they have finished they paint
over their entire picture with the watered down paint. The paint doesn^Òt
stick the crayon and the picture will look as black as space.
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