Exploring Space: Our Solar System and Beyond!
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about space and space exploration.
- Talk about planets, stars, and astronauts.
- Read about the history of space travel.
- Listen to an astronaut talk about their experience in space.
- Write about the future of space exploration.
Key Words:
- Space: The area beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
- Planet: A large round object in space that moves around a star.
- Star: A big, hot ball of gas in space that gives off light.
- Astronaut: A person who is trained to travel in space.
- Spaceship/Spacecraft: A vehicle that can travel in space.
- Galaxy: A large group of stars held together by gravity.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What is your favorite planet? Why?
- Would you like to be an astronaut? Why or why not?
- What do you think it would be like to live in space?
Let’s Read!
People have always been curious about space. The first person to go to space was Yuri Gagarin from Russia. Then, in 1969, astronauts from the USA went to the moon! Now, there are even space stations where people live and work.
Questions About the Reading:
- Who was the first person in space?
- Where did astronauts go in 1969?
- What can people do in space now?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short interview with an astronaut. Focus on words like “space station,” “experiment,” and “Earth.”)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a reporter interviewing an astronaut who just returned from the International Space Station.
Example:
- Reporter: “Welcome back to Earth! How was your time in space?”
- Astronaut: “It was amazing! I got to see the Earth from above and do some experiments.”
Homework:
Write a short paragraph about what you think the future of space exploration will be like. Will people live on Mars? Will we travel to other stars?
Extra Fun:
If you can, look online for pictures of different planets and moons in our solar system. Which one do you find the most interesting?
