Outer Space Project Approach Thematic Unit
Learning through play, exploration and discovery is the natural way a young child learns. Teaching academic content through a thematic project approach builds on natural curiosity and builds connectivity with all areas of academic learning.
What kid doesn’t love outer space! Using space as a vehicle of teaching will allow the learner to question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, research, inquire, reflect, and much more. Project, or thematic unit based learning allows content to be authentic — extending the learning beyond a classroom, beyond the home, beyond the community, beyond the nation —- even into the stars above.
Any subject can be selected to expand and connect learning. One of my favorites is Out in Space Thematic Unit. This unit immediately catches the interest of a child, increases motivation, attention span, and engagement.
I begin every thematic project-based unit with an exciting overview. This overview can be introduced by books, videos, or songs. Because the theme of space is so broad, and could actually span a few months of thematic study, I like to begin with a virtual field trip such as Solar System Scope. You can find many different options on youtube or through google.
From this point you can plan your unit into your desired areas of study, such as: History of space travel (Kids love learning about Ham the Chimp), life as an astronaut, the planets, the moon, stars, the solar system, aliens, and more. Make a plan of how you want to proceed, and which areas you want to explore and begin. Turn your learning space into well, space!
Click here to see my classroom project approach Outer Space Thematic Learning Laboratory — my Space Thematic Unit in action.
Check out some classroom photos of a space-theme in action.
Check out the great space content below that will bring the theme alive in your classroom.
If you love to teach with projects and thematic units like I do, you may want to take advantage of my Year-Long Mega Bundle Sale. This bundle is on sale now for $200. That is 42 Thematic Units for a little over $4 per unit. This is an incredible price! Bundle available on TPT.
Product Description
This Space unit is strategically linked to academic core standards. And will take your students on an adventure, Out in Space! This Space unit is divided into areas of literature, music, art, literacy, math, worksheets, science, creative writing, word wall, and guided reading. The activities are clearly written, easy to use, and need limited amounts of preparation.
Table of Contents
Literacy Lessons
Moon Walk: Blending and Segmenting Words
Moon Walk: Reading and Segmenting CVC Words
Zoom to the Moon: Alphabet Fluency (Or Sight Word Fluency)
Star Light Star Bright: Reading Sight Words (Or Identifying Alphabet Letters)
Asteroid Belt: Fluently Naming Alphabet Letter Sounds
Planet Race: Fluently Naming Alphabet Letters
The Milky Way: Blending Phonemes
Shared Reading Whole Group Activities:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: Sorting Words by Initial Sound
Independent Activities
A Trip to the Planets: Writing CVC Words
Math Lessons With Independent Options:
A Trip to the Stars: Adding to and Taking Away
Deep Space Ten: Counting by Tens
Blast Off: Addition
Energize: Solving Word Problems
Space Rocks: Matching Quantity to Number
Independent Activities
Planet Discovery: Writing Numbers
Space Addition
Star Math
Star Dot to Dot: Ordering Numbers 1-36
Guided Reading Books
To Space
Science
Creating a Space Science Center
Writing
Word Wall
My Rocket Ship
Out in Space
Art Projects
The Solar System: Construct Project
Tangram Rockets: Using Geometric Shapes
Make a Planet: Coffee Filter Art
Comet, Moon, & Sun: Mixing Paint
Songs/Fingerplays
I'm a Little Astronaut
The Planets
Blast off to Mars
Ten Astronauts
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Alien Thematic Unit is filled with out of space fun. Who doesn't love the fun of Aliens and reading such books as "Aliens Wear Underpants.
Alien Planet, is strategically linked to the academic Core Standards. It is divided into areas of literature, music, art, literacy, math, worksheets, science, creative writing, word wall, and guided reading. The activities are clearly written, easy to use, and need limited amounts of preparation.
Table of Contents:
Literacy Activities
Speak Alien Please: Segmenting Words
Alien Hop and Swat: Decoding and Segmenting CVC Words
Alien Zinger: Reading Sight Words (or Alphabet Letters) Fluently
Sentence Scramble: Reading and Constructing Sight Word Sentences
Alien Attack: Fluently Naming Alphabet Letters
Math Activities
Blast Off Bingo: Numbers 11-30
Teen Time Disco: Identifying and Matching Teen Numbers
Astro Park: Collecting and Recording Data
Aliens Away: Subtracting Objects
Guided Reading Books
The Little Alien
Class Made Books
All About Aliens
Science
Alien Goo: Mixing Substances
Writing
Alien Word Wall
The UFO
All About Aliens
Art Projects
Alien Headbands
Construct an Alien
UFO
Songs/Fingerplays
Five Little Aliens
The Alien
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Space themed ided readers make learning to read fun and engaging! Kids LOVE these paper books. Offering students these Space Themed "paper" books, that can be colored and taken home offers students authentic purpose for the guided reading instruction and opportunity to practice techniques at home. Students love these delightful stories that are ready to read on their level.
Contents Include
The Stars -- Level D
My Rocketship -- Level C
Space Explorer -- Level B
Rockets -- Level C
The Aliens -- Level B
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Also Available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Nine great writing center activity based worksheets.
Your classroom or homeschool students will love to write using these engaging independent writing practice activities. Easy to set up, easy to use, impactful and engaging!
Activities Include:
Label The Astronaut -- Anchor Chart
Label The Astronaut Worksheets
The Astronaut: Can, Has, Is -- Anchor Chart
The Astronaut: Can, Has, Is Student Worksheet
Write About Astronauts Worksheets (Can, Has, Is)
Label-It I Can -- Anchor Chart
Label-It Student Worksheets
Make a List I Can -- Anchor ChartChart
Make a List Student Worksheet
Out In Space Word Wall
Write a Story I Can -- Anchor Chart
Write a Story Prompt Worksheets
Write The Room -- Anchor Chart
Write The Room Worksheet
Write The Room Word Cards
Alien Words -- Anchor Chart
Alien (Mirror) Words
CVC Words Anchor Chart
CVC Picture Cards
CVC Worksheet
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Product Description
Handwriting interventions practice worksheets
53 pages of writing interventions with a outer space theme will engage students as they develop efficient motor habits for writing. Along with the worksheets that can be easily stapled into a workbook, physical exercises are suggested to get the students ready for handwriting practice as important muscles are strengthened.
This packet includes the first 99 fry phrases. Practicing commonly used words best transfers handwriting knowledge into the students daily work.
Contents Include
Training: Exercise the Body
Training: Exercise the Fingers
Training: Drawing a Maze
Training: Connecting the Dots
Training: Maneuvering a Maze
Alphabet Uppercase Trace
Alphabet Uppercase Write
Alphabet Lowercase Trace
Alphabet Lowercase Write
Alphabet Upper and Lower Review
Power-Up: Alien Meet-up Maze
Fry Phrases 1-16
Fuel Stop Maze Match and Write
Fry Phrases 17-32
Fuel Stop Comet Blast Match and Write
Fry Phrases 33-48
Fuel Stop Unknown Planet Puzzle
Fry Phrases 49-64
Fuel Stop Planet Puzzler Match and Write
Fry Phrases 65-80
Fuel Stop Space Cat Maze
Fry Phrases 81-99
Fuel Stop: Alien Friend Symmetry
Journal: My Space Adventures
© Kathy Crane Kindergarten Kiosk
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