Let’s blast off our learning this week with space literacy activities that are out of this world! Space is so interesting to learn about – no matter your age. But it is especially exciting for younger children to discover our immense solar system and how astronauts explore it. Take a peek into our week with space activities for preschoolers.
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Space Lesson plans
Moonwalk ABC
Letter Identification Space Literacy Activity
Astonishing fact for toddlers: astronauts float on the moon! I always try to tell the kids that it’s like you’re jumping slowly on the trampoline, but honestly, I’m just as clueless as they are about how moonwalking really feels!
I love opening up our space unit with this space literacy activity! First, I hid the lettered cards around the room. Going on a hunt is always a win with my kiddos. There’s movement, there’s the thrill of the hunt, and there’s an awesome song! The perfect way to practice letter identification with toddlers, if I say so myself.
As we sang “Walk on the Moon” we pretended to be astronauts and moonwalked around the room! How fun is that?!? When the song ended, we marked the letter that we were closest to on the recording sheet.
Differentiate this activity for your learners by mixing up the upper/lowercase recording sheet.
Skills:
- recognize and name some upper/lowercase letters of the alphabet
Alphabet Craters
Space Literacy Activities for Preschoolers
We used those moonwalking skills from the first activity plus some Darth Vader breathing effects with this next activity: Alphabet Craters. Everything’s better with sound effects, right?!?
The first time we did this activity we matched the lettered astronauts to the craters on the moon. You can easily differentiate this by using the moons with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, or initial sound pictures.
When I first got this out for my little one (3.5), I wasn’t sure she’d be able to match initial sounds yet. We honestly haven’t worked on it that much yet. But she sure surprised me! I think those ABC It cards (which have those initial sound pictures built right into them) have helped tremendously.
The second way we completed this activity was by using play dough with letter stamps. Playdough is ALWAYS a win in our house! Need to cook dinner in peace? Playdough. Need to use the bathroom alone? Playdough. Need to amp up engagement? Playdough. (You’re welcome.)
Skills:
-
demonstrate awareness of relationship between sounds and letters
- with support and prompting, isolate and pronounce the initial sounds in words
Star Match letters
Letter Identification Sensory Bin
Two ways to make learning letters way more fun:
- Turn it into a sensory bin activity.
- Add glow-in-the-dark-stars!
Seriously, there isn’t a kid out there that can turn this down! In fact, when a few of our older neighbors (ages 8 & 9) stopped by our house, they went straight for this activity. I won’t name names, but I am also one of those big kids that thoroughly enjoyed digging into this Star Match sensory bin activity and flicking the lights on and off for the kiddos.
Using this in the classroom? Place it in a dark corner or inside a box with a lamp. The students can flick the lamp off to find a glowing star. Then, they can switch it back on to match the lettered star to the recording sheet.
Skills:
-
- recognize and name some upper/lowercase letters of the alphabet
- recognize and name some upper/lowercase letters of the alphabet
Star Match Sounds
Initial Sound Identification
After photographing these stars, I realize they look like sheriff badges. (Facepalm and sigh.) But at least it brings me back to the good ol’ days working at Texas Roadhouse when I would wear my sheriff badge name tag proudly.
But seriously, this is a space activity. I will photograph it again in the far future. Don’t hold your breath, though. My to-do list goes on for ages.
First, we named a picture on one of the points of the star, emphasizing the initial sound. Then, we decided if it matched the letter in the center. We used double-sided chips to mark whether the picture started with the letter (yellow) or not (red). You could also use clothespins or astronauts to mark the letters. Finally, we went back through and said all of the pictures that started with the letter again just to reinforce that beginning sound.
These stars plus the Star Match recording sheet for letters (see above) are included in this set. Two for one!
Skills:
- demonstrate awareness of relationship between sounds and letters
- with support and prompting, isolate and pronounce the initial sounds in words
Rocket Rhymes
Space Literacy Activity
Last up is an easy way to practice rhyming words: Rocket Rhymes. Take a look at the picture inside of the rocket and clip a clothespin onto the picture on the side that rhymes with it.
For little ones, try this activity in a small group first before they try to do it independently in literacy centers.
Skills:
- recognize and match words that rhyme
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We seriously could have continued learning about space for eons. Such a blast! I hope you can moonwalk away with some ideas for your space literacy activities, too!
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