Some classes had the opportunity this week to learn a bit about the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They learned that manned flights are launched from this location, although there are still big responsibilities for the Huston Space Center. We talked generally about the initial launching of rockets, the transition to the space shuttle, and now back to a more streamlined "rocket" look. We discussed the moon landing on July 20, 1969, and talked about the location of the planets in relationship to the sun. Students watched a brief video that gave some highlights of the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex. They were particularly excited about the indoor theater where there is a lift-off simulation that has reclining seats that vibrate as if you are taking off. This sounded like fun to them!
In Physical Education there were two different activities, depending upon the class. Pre-Kindergarten classes played a game called "Planet Hopping." Different colors of hula hoops were laid on the floor that corresponded with the general color of the planet. Students worked in pairs to hop together to a planet. Once there, they had to say the name of their planet and then do a designated exercise (if you were in the hoop representing the planet) or a locomotor skill (if you were the rocket traveling around the planet.) Students then changed places and eventually moved on to a new planet, each time telling me the name of the new planet.
Kindergarten students launched foam finger rockets and attempted to get them to land on a white parachute that represented the moon. This skill was harder than it looked but the students had fun. Everyone celebrated when someone's rocket landed on the moon.
Doing football kicks on planet Earth.
The person on Neptune does jumping jacks while the rocket crab walks around.
The rocket jogs around Mars while the planet does arm circles.
A well calculated aim at the moon.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Blast off!
This students celebrates a successful moon landing.
