M is for Moon Preschool and Homeschool Unit
As we started our 2 week alphabet and science study "M" for Moon we decided to recreate Apollo 11 - the first time people landed on the moon. First, I did some research & compiled pictures & information (included in download) to share with the kiddos. Then, I had them watch some video clips & listen to some sound bites from the Apollo 11 mission. I learned so much myself!- Video Clips: Nasa Apollo 11
- Audio Clip: Apollo 11 landing on moon
- Audio Clip: Apllo 11 Launch Countdown
- Video: Neil Armstrong's historic "One small step for man..
DIY Apollo 11 from Cardboard Box
We then recreated the 3 man Apollo 11- shape as best we could, hatch, windows, limited space, and control panel. The kids then decorated it in their typical creative fashion! We talked about how their was not a toilet on board this 9 day mission! We also talked about logistics of eating floating food or having to tie yourself down while you slept.We also created a Moon buggy. The kids got their pretend camera to document their historic landing on the moon, a bag to collect moon walks, and wore space suits.
We had many hours of creative play reenacting Apollo 11's mission. The kids even recreated positioning for take-off, the pressure on their face at blast off, and we played the original sound clip for their ascent. A memorable 2 weeks!
Homeschool Science Solar System Unit
I bought this solar system to decorate our room before our space unit. The kids loved having a decorated school room! They got really good at naming all the planets. Goofy even pointed out the asteroid belt to me between mars & Jupiter - wow I can't believe he remembered that from one of the books we read! We also played a game where I would say the name of a planet & they would run underneath it. Then they got to call out the planets & I would run underneath them. Super fun! We did solar system puzzles & played Solar System Bingo ($5)
The kids LOVE using our Bingo markers so they enjoyed making astronauts with this with M Bingo Paint Pages
We made craters in our moon dust from the My Father's World Curriculum.
M is for Moon Learning Worksheets
We also did worksheets to enhance our learning! I used my favorite go-to places: Homeschool Creations & 1plus1plus1equals1. I used the Solar System Pack by 1plus1plus1equals1: what’s a planet, planet mini book (my kids love these mini books), and vocabulary word flashcards. Plus there are lots of other great goodies here!
I also used more free goodies from Jolanthe in her Astronaut Preschool Pack from Homeschool Creations. My kids liked the space ship color book, shadow/image match-up (harder to do than I thought it would be), different sized rockets (practice order, right/left, middle, etc.), find & color all the a’s, and fun tracer & pre-writing pages.
This has to be one of our favorite activities! We made the different phases of the moon with Oreo cookies! I know, how cool is that?!?!? I made a worksheet to go with it that looks a little neater that you are welcome to use (in the download). This was some serious, delicious, learning fun!
Oreo Moon Phases Kids Science Activity
We made Oreo Moon Phases! This had to be one of our favorite activities for the unit. In the free printable below I have a printable worksheet withe where to put your oreos and the moon phases.
Moon Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
Our Space Sensory Tub was a HUGE hit! We bought the Safari LTD Space Toob and MOON SAND WHITE from Amazon.
Moon Games
We played the Astronauts to Earth Race Game by MamaJenn. We even bought the Photo Stacking Cubes to play the game (which we have gone on to use in so many things!). There are TONS of other games to play with them. Goofy has been enjoying them to learn the Dolch Words. We each made a flag to put in the "moon" when we landed to show we were there. We also made popsicle stick stars to hang from the ceiling.
We practiced our numbers and constellation shapes with star stickers.
FREE Printable Spanish Vocabulary Flashcards
I also created some Spanish vocabulary flashcards to go with our unit AND a moon counting book (They are also in the download). The kids are coming right along with their Spanish!
Feel free to download my resources by clicking on the image below. Feel free to hare with other by referring them back to my blog. Just please don’t link them right to the resources if you share them. Thanks!
Moon Books for Preschoolers and Homeschoolers
There are several books I used & really loved. But my favorite is On the Moon by Anna Milbourne. My other resources we used & loved are above this post.
More Early Education Resources for Families
- Alphabet Printables - over 1000 pages of practice tracing letters, upper and lower case matching, alphabet sounds, and more!
- 25+ Free Themed Worksheets (ages 3-8)
- Reading the Easy Way Preschool - 12 week sight word reading program that uses 5 games, fun worksheets like color by sight word, readers, and more!
- Magnetic Shape Fun with free printable
- FREE Playdough Letter Mats
- Alphabet Unit for Preschool and Kindergartners
- FREE A to Z Letter Find Worksheets
- Christmas Crafts for Kids - over 100 creative kids crafts, activities, and recipes!
- Disney Packing List (free printable!)
