Daily Knowledge Boost with Kids Academy: Learning About Space in First Grade
Nov. 5, 2024
As a child grows, it is important to foster their curiosity of the world around them. The sun, moon, and stars are a topic of extreme interest for students in 1st grade. Building a strong foundation of knowledge about the main parts of our solar system can develop a sense of wonder about the universe and their place within it, as well as inspire future interest in the STEM fields. Mastering these concepts will also build a strong foundation for more complex topics. Today’s daily knowledge boost allows children to explore and gain knowledge about the sun, moon, and stars!
Lesson 1: Observing Our Moon
Moon and its phases has always been an object of high curiosity among kids of all ages. In this lesson children, will explore the different phases of the moon and how its appearance can change over time.
Activity Overview:
- Moon Phases Worksheet: Students will explore the phases of the moon through a short passage. They will then select which is the correct phase of the moon.
- Moon Journal Worksheet: Help Kyle name the correct phase of the moon that he observed in his Moon Journal. Students will check the correct phase of the moon.
- Facts About the Moon Worksheet: Read some fun facts about the moon with your learner, then have them check the correct word to fill in the blank.
Brain Break
This brain break is a great way to get up and get moving while still keeping students' minds on space before moving on to the next lesson.
Lesson 2: Observing the Sun
In this lesson children will learn about the positions of the sun through the day, explore their prior knowledge of the sun, and learn about rotation vs. revolution.
Activity Overview:
- Our Sun Video: Children can watch a fun video about the closest star and learn some new facts.
- Observing the Sun Worksheet: After observing the sun rises in the east and sets in the west diagram, children will check the correct time of day for each of the models.
- Facts About the Sun Worksheet: Children will show their prior knowledge of the sun by drawing a line to the true fact about the sun.
- Our Solar System: Revolution Printable: Students will analyze the model to understand the Earth’s Revolution around the sun.
Brain Break
When a topic is new and exciting it can often be a little over stimulating for children in 1st grade and may make it hard to focus when transitioning to a new lesson. This is a perfect time to take a brain break. This brain break is a great way to get children to think about connecting themselves to the world around them and get their blood flowing.
Lesson 3: Observing the Stars
Once students know a little more about the Sun and the Moon, students who are ready can explore another part of the universe, the stars. In this lesson students will observe the patterns in the sky and identify them as constellations, as well as further explore the night sky around them through scientific inquiry.
Activity Overview:
- Stars and Constellations Worksheet: Children will read the short passage about stars then test their knowledge of what they learned by checking the correct answer.
- Night Sky Search Worksheet: This activity has children look at constellations in a shape and identify the correct image. Then students will identify the Big Dipper.
- Our Moon and Stars - Quiz: Students can demonstrate their ability to identify the phases of the moon and how the sky changes.
Brain Break
Wrap up this space lesson with one last fun brain break. This video has students running through space giving their brains a break and getting their bodies up and moving.
Integrating lessons about the sun, moon, and stars in 1st grade sparks a learner's curiosity about the universe around them. Through interactive worksheets, engaging activities, and energizing brain breaks, students deepen their sense of wonder and are encouraged to explore their environments. By developing a strong foundation of concepts about the universe, early in a child’s education we can create a path for future innovators and thinkers and create a deeper understanding of space.
While these lessons are geared to have some guidance, some students may prefer to study independently. Consider exploring our Talented and Gifted Online web app. This resource offers a variety of enriching activities tailored for advanced learners, ensuring they remain challenged and engaged!
