Space Pinball

Homemade Space Pinball!

 

 

We made this pinball game from a cardboard box, straws, egg crate tops, popsicle sticks and glitter paints. We then added a marble and let the children try to move it into the yellow popsicle stick goal at the end.

 

It was the perfect size and style for my Pre-K students. The children had a ball (no pun intended) playing this homemade pinball game.

 

 

Why make one??

*It's open ended and they can help make it

*It's great for hand-eye coordination

*It's physically engaging (as the child is holding and manipulating the box)

*It teaches social skills (cheering on friends and taking turns)

*It brings in new vocabulary and positional language

* It's open ended and lots of fun!

 

Give it a try and please share with us your results! : )



Aliens

Aliens!

 

*Every year when we begin our space learning theme I ask the children what they know about space. The answers vary every year but one consistent thing I hear every year is, "aliens come from space."

 

So here are a few of our alien learning activities...

 

 

We made symmetry aliens!

 

The children selected different color paints and put them in the middle of a piece of paper. The children then folded the paper in half and squished the paper with their hands to spread the paint. The children found that the paint was equally distributed to both sides and we discussed that when something is the same on both sides this is called symmetrical.

 

When the paint was dry the children were invited to add eyes, wings, arms, antennae, etc... to their alien. They were also asked to come up with a name for their alien and a back story.

 

Each one came out so different and unique!

 

 

We also made UFO's.

 

Each child was able to design one using either two bowls or two plates taped together. They then added decorations with markers and stickers.

 

 

After the children tested them out, I had them predict how many of their own feet they thought their UFO would go. We then went outside as a class to test our results. The children then counted their steps and we were able to compare the results to our first predictions.

 

 

This also brought out a great discussion about why some traveled further than others and why they would all fall down in the end.



Constellations

Constellations!

 

Using marshmallows and toothpicks!

 

We first discussed that a constellation is a picture in the sky made up of stars. We then looked at pictures of some of the famous constellations such as the Big Dipper and Orion.

 

I then explained how for our activity the marshmallows are going to be used to represent the stars and the toothpicks are the connectors which make the stars into a picture.

 

 

Before we began this activity we first went over the importance of washing our hands before we handle any type of food!

 

So we went to wash and we sang our hand washing song! (To the tune of Camptown Races) Germs on hands can make you sick. Germs are ick, germs are ick. Soap and water fixes it, I am washing.



The children then got to work building their constellations. It was great fine motor practice and of course any time children get to play with their food is always lots of fun! : )



 

Each constellation came out very unique!

  

We then made constellations using pastels and star stickers for a follow up art experience.

 

 

We also made some constellations using rocks and side walk chalk.

 

Galileo

In honor of our space theme, we have made this little tune our line up song for the week!

 

 

The kids were singing it over and over and over!

I don't think anyone will forget who invented the telescope because this was stuck in everyone's head today! LoL!



BLAST OFF!!!

Jump into your space suit. 

Don't forget your hat.

Climb aboard the rocket ship on the launching pad.

Buckle up for safety.

Count down from 10 to 1, were going to the moon and it's going to be fun. 

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 BLAST OFF!!!"

This is just one of our poems that we act out during our space unit but, it's always a favorite!

Like most of our new lessons we start off by asking what do we know about space?

The Planet Song!

 (Sung to the tune of the Farmer in the Dell)

"The Sun's a hot star. Mercury's hot too. Venus is the brightest one. Earth's home to me and you. Mars is the red one. Jupiter is most wide. Saturn's got those icy rings. Uranus spins on its side. Neptune's really windy. Pluto's really small. Well we wanted to name the planets and now we've named them all."

We then discuss how Pluto is a bit controversial and is no longer considered a planet.

 I still keep it in the song but we discuss how Science is always evolving and changing and now Pluto is not considered a planet but it used to be before we had more research. Then I go into how important it is to research and learn to find out more information and how it's ok to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. : )

The children are asked to sequence the planets and are encouraged to use the song in the pocket chart to help them if they get stuck. I then have them take the facts from our song and turn it into a mini book to bring home.

 

We wrote our own Planet stories! 
Some of the planets were invented others just picked a favorite planet to write about. 

Astronaut vs. Rocket ship tic tac toe!

Van Gogh Artistic Impressions!

Starry Night

Countdown spaceship tubes!!!

Star stamped collages!

Click here to see my star constellation ideas.

 Moon sand sensory play!
DIY Moon Sand = Mix together 4 cups of sand, 2 cups of cornflour and 1 cup water.

We attached various planet, astronaut and spaceship pictures to the blocks for the children to be inspired when building in the block area.

 
Moon Rock throw!

The children are asked to throw the moon rocks (aluminum foil balls) into the can. Great hand eye coordination fun!

 

Dramatic play space station!!!

 

Egg Carton Moon Shoes!

We built our own Control Board Simulator!

The children can stand up inside the space ship!
 Two boxes taped together with a bucket on top for looking out of the ship.

Moon rock investigation station!

 

Paper Bag Helmets!