For this activity we made our rocket first and then used it to act out the story. There are lots of variations of making a rocket ship – toilet paper rolls, soda bottle, cardboard, etc. We kept it simple by using some tin foil, construction paper, and stars we happened to have around the house. Once your little one has made his/her rocket, it’s time to read the story.
“On the Moon” by Anna Milbourne is great for early learners. It’s a very kid-friendly read with a mix of those higher level science words. The story walks through taking a trip to the moon and we pretend to do each page (we put on our pretend helmet and glove, we bounce, pretend to take photos, and then we blast off back to Earth). This activity had my 2-year-old independently counting backwards from 10 to blast off!
To extend the activity, we got out the milk and cookies. Oreos made a great moon! We did very simple vocabulary – full moon, half moon, crescent moon, and new moon. My little one loves taking the cream off for each phase and eating it along the way. We used a kid-friendly knife to scrap, but a popsicle stick works too. She may not have a full understanding of the moon, but it’s never too early to hear some of that language!
Interested in trying this yourself? Check for the materials used below!
Are you a New York State Pre-K Teacher?
This lesson aligns with the Next Gen Standards:
- Text & Literature PKR1: Participate in discussions about a text
- Foundational Skills: PKRF1b: Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language
- Language & Vocabulary: PKL4: Explore and use new vocabulary in child-centered, authentic, play-based experiences
- Language & Vocabulary: PKL6: Use words and phrases acquired through language rich experiences, conversations, reading and being read to, responding to texts, and child-centered, play-based experiences
MATERIALS:
- Black, blue, and red construction paper
- Tin Foil
- Red tissue paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Stars
Optional extension:
- Milk
- Oreos
- Kid-friendly knife OR popsicle stick
BOOKS: