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.

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

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.

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.

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?”