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The space and planets theme builds curiosity and helps children learn words like astronaut and star. It connects to science, art, music, and books in fun, hands-on ways.

Pre-K students observe the sky, notice changes, and talk about the sun and moon. They also build social skills by pretending to be astronauts and working in teams.

This theme makes big science ideas fun and easy to understand.

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Space – The big, dark place above Earth where the stars, planets, and moon are.

Planet – A big round object that moves around the sun, like Earth or Mars.

Sun – A big, hot star that gives us light and heat.

Moon – A round object that moves around Earth. We can see it in the night sky.

Star – A tiny light we see in the sky at night. Stars are far away and very hot.

Astronaut – A person who goes to space in a rocket.

Rocket – A fast space vehicle that carries astronauts into space.

Telescope – A tool we use to look at things far away in the sky.

Orbit – The path a planet or moon takes as it moves around something.

Galaxy – A huge group of stars, planets, and dust. We live in the Milky Way galaxy.

Earth – Our home planet. It is round and has land, water, and air.

Gravity – The force that pulls things down to the ground or keeps them in place.

Meteor – A small rock that flies through space. If it falls to Earth, it’s called a shooting star.

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There's No Place Like Space!" – Tish Rabe

"Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me" – Eric Carle

"Mae Among the Stars" – Roda Ahmed

"If You Decide To Go To The Moon" – Faith McNulty

"On the Moon" – Anna Milbourne

"Moon! Earth's Best Friend" – Stacy McAnulty

"Roaring Rockets" – Tony Mitton

"The Darkest Dark" – Chris Hadfield

"Mousetronaut" – Mark Kelly

"Astronaut Handbook" – Meghan McCarthy

"Pete the Cat: Out of This World" – James Dean

"National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space" – Catherine D. Hughes

"Look Inside Space" – Rob Lloyd Jones

"Zoom, Rocket, Zoom!" – Margaret Mayo

"Stars" – Mary Lyn Ray

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Songs:

1. Zoom Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon”- Space Travel

2. “The Planets Song” by Kids Learning Tube – Planets in our solar system.

3. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” – Introduces Stars

4. “Blast Off!” by The Kiboomu Kids Music Channel - transitions or morning movement.

5. “Eight Planets” by Pancake Manor – planets

Finger Plays:

6. “Five Little Astronauts” – counts down from five.

7. “Climb Aboard the Spaceship” – actions that mimic climbing into a rocket and blasting off.

8. “Mr. Sun, Mr. Golden Sun (Space Version)” – connecting the sun to space learning.

Videos:

9. Sesame Street: “Elmo’s World – Sky” – Introduces basic space concepts

10. StoryBots: “A Song About the Planets” (Netflix or YouTube) – makes learning planets fun and memorable.

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field trip experience:(Social and Emotional Domain)

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field trip experience:(Social and Emotional Domain)

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Location: Local Planetarium or Science Museum

Preparation: Read space books and discuss appropriate behavior, like (walking, “inside voices,” looking at displays). Show pictures of the venue and use role-play to practice “pretend seat belts” for the planetarium.

On the Trip: At the planetarium, children watch a short star/nature show and explore the night sky dome. At the museum, they engage with hands-on exhibits like interactive planet displays. Teachers guide discussions and encourage social skills like sharing, waiting for turns, and staying together.

Social-Emotional Considerations: Discuss feelings beforehand, use buddy systems for security, and model calm behavior to foster teamwork.

Learning Impact: Visiting the planetarium helps children deepen their understanding of space.

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Child Directed Centers and Center Rotation

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Child Directed Centers and Center Rotation

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Dramatic Play: A “Space Mission Log” for children to dictate or draw about their adventures, encouraging storytelling and language skills.

Block Center: Introduce a “Space Travel Blueprint” where children can sketch their designs before building, promoting planning and creativity.

Art Center: For space-related projects, use textured materials (like wrinkled sheets of paper), combining sensory experiences with art.

Math Center: at “Space Mission Math Game,” children roll dice to count stars or planets, adding a fun math element.

Library Center: Look at books based on space

Writing Center: “Space News” board for children to write and share news reports, practicing writing and communication.

(Maybe write for students first and have them try copying it)

Science Center: Include a glow-in-the-dark sensory bin with stars and planets, and simulate night/day effects with a flashlight.

Music Center: “Rocket Dance Party,” combining rhythm and movement with space-themed songs and hand motions.

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Academic Content Centers: (Literacy and Cognitive Domain)

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Academic Content Centers: (Literacy and Cognitive Domain)

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Literacy Center – “Rocket Letter Writing”: Children practice letter formation and spelling using space-themed materials like stencils and rocket stationery.

Literacy Center – “Story Sequence Cards”: After a read-aloud, children retell a space story with picture cards, practicing sequencing and time words.

Math Center – “Counting Stars Game”: Children roll a die, count stars, and place them on a mat, practicing counting, number recognition, and grouping.

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Morning Message or Daily question for each day of the week with theme focus

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Morning Message or Daily question for each day of the week with theme focus

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Monday: “What’s your favorite planet and why?”

Tuesday: “If you were an astronaut for a day, what would you do?”

Wednesday: “Did you see the Moon or stars last night? Describe them.”

Thursday: “What can the Sun do that the Moon can’t?”

Friday: “What did you learn about space this week?”

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Title: Day and Night Sky Exploration
Book: The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons

Objective: Children will identify day vs. night sky objects, observe moon phases, and connect the story to real sky observations.

Materials: The Moon Book, drawing paper/crayons, flashlights, sun and moon images, simple moon-phase chart.

Introduction: Show a glowing ball (moon model) and discuss day (sun) vs. night (moon, stars). Ask predictions about the moon’s appearance.

Read-Aloud: Read The Moon Book, labeling the sun and, moon. Use a flashlight to demonstrate moon phases.

Activity:

Moon Drawing: Children draw the day or night sky, labeling or scribbling sun/moon.

Observation Chart: Use a chart to match sun (day) and moon (night) with moon phase images.

Guidelines: Children identify, observe, and discuss sky objects, integrating literacy (listening) and art (drawing/labeling). Supports fine motor and emergent writing.

Extension: Take children outside to observe the moon/sun, reinforcing real sky connections.

TEA STANDARDS

TEA Pre-K Science Standard: "Children observe and describe objects in the sky."

TEA Pre-K Literacy Standards: "Children demonstrate comprehension of text through discussions, and express ideas verbally."

TEA Pre-K Fine Motor Standard: "Children develop fine motor skills by using writing and drawing tools."

TEA Pre-K Writing Standards: "Children engage in writing activities that foster early writing skills."

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https://hcplonline.org/downloads/Jan18SpaceRace.pdf#:~:text=Zoom%2C%20Zoom%2C%20Zoom%21%20Zoom%2C%20zoom%2C,We%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20the%20moon

https://tea.texas.gov/system/files/P2021%20Breakouts_PreK_Domain%20VI.pdf#:~:text=,their%20environment%20with%20positive%20actions

https://tea.texas.gov/system/files/P2021%20Breakouts_PreK_Domain%20VI.pdf#:~:text=earth%20materials%2C%20and%20their%20properties,identifies%20objects%20in%20the%20sky

https://preschooleducation.com/songs/space-songs-for-kids/#:~:text=Climb%20aboard%20the%20Spaceship%21

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/educator-resources/learning-centers-in-prekindergarten#:~:text=1,Given%20a%20variety%20of%20developmentally