Preschool and Kindergarten Lesson Plans

Space, Robots and Earth Day Activities Theme

Preschool and Kindergarten Activities

Literature Activity Connection

There's No Place Like Space by Tish Rabe is a great book to use for introducing the Space theme.  The activities below would be excellent follow-up activities to reading the book.

Emergent Readers - Total of Five Emergent Readers
Emergent Reader 1 - Stars in the Sky

Introduces the Letter "Ss"                

The emergent reader Stars in the Sky introduces the letter "Ss" as well the concept of stars forming pictures. The story line is predictable offering a great opportunity to model the reading process (Click on the Reading Strategies link to learn more). The emergent reader can be made into a big book as displayed in the photo to the right. Click on the link below to view a sample page from the reader.

Stars in the Sky Reader Sample Page

Emergent Reader 2

Another Printable Emergent Reader - Also Used to Introduce the Letter "Ss"
The emergent reader 'The Sun is an Important Star' introduces the concept of how the sun is very important to us. This reader can also be used to introduce the letter "Ss." The book is simple and repetitive enough that children can eventually read much of the text on their own.  

A Sample Page from the Reader

 Connection to Literature

The book Hello Robots by Bob Staake is an excellent rhyming and entertaining book to use to introduce the robot concept.

Emergent Reader 3
Another Emergent Reader - "Ronnie the Robot Helps  the Earth" - Letter "Rr" Sound
This reader deals with helping the Earth.  It introduces or is a review of the letter "r".  Click on the links below to view sample pages.

Ronnie the Robot Helps the Earth Sample Page

Ronnie Robot Big Book Sample Page

Bonus Emergent Reader Ronnie the Robot - Another Version
This is another version of the reader "Ronnie Robot"

Sample Page from the Reader

More Bonus Readers

In the "Bonus Readers" link within the theme there are two more bonus readers "Shapes Are Everywhere" and another version of "The Sun Is An Important Star".

Letter "Ss" Recognition - Picture Mnemonics

Research has shown that children have better recollection of letter-sound associations when it is taught in conjunction with picture mnemonics.  In this craft, children are actively involved in associating the picture to the letter making this more meaningful to them.  The purpose is to have them associate the letter "Ss" to the initial sound in "star".  The children paint the letter "Ss", cut it out and glue on the stars.

Follow-up Robot Craft - Picture Mnemonics Related to Letter "Rr" for Robot
This craft (photograph to the left) uses the concept of picture mnemonics to complete it. The children assemble "Ronnie Robot".  The templates could be painted or copied on different colors of paper.  The templates would be cut and assembled as shown in the photograph to the left.

Color Photographs 

In the theme unit or member's area you will find color photographs. These can be used for discussion purposes or used for read around the room activities. 

Literacy Centers - Games and Activities

Rhyming or Matching Game

Older Children

The teacher would print a concept skill that she/he wishes the child to verbally remember on the blank squares (could be sight words or number recognition).  Each child takes a turn rolling the die and moving the game player accordingly.  If they land on a concept square they must say the name (could be a sight word).  If they land on a picture square they must find the rhyming picture on their game board chart and mark this off. Example from the photograph - if the child landed on the picture of a "top" they would mark of the picture of "pop".  Once a game board chart has been completed the game is over.

Younger Children

The teacher would fill in the blank squares with a concept she/he wishes the child to practice.  For example, color in the blank squares.  If a child lands on that square they must say the color name.  If the child lands on a picture square they must mark off the matching picture on the game board chart.  Once a game board chart has been completed the game is over.

Alphabet Practice Review

If you are using the "Alphabet Program" most of the letters have been introduced.  This game is great for review practice.  All the pictures are related to the ones learned in the program.  For example letter "w" is a picture of a whale.

Older Students

This game would be played in partners.  Each partner has a different game board with different pictures. The word name cards would be placed face-down.  One child draws a card.  If they have the picture of what the word is, they would mark this off on their game board. They would be using the initial letter to use as a clue.  If they don't have the picture representing the word, the card is placed back on the bottom of the pile.  The game is finished when a child has their game board all marked off. 

Younger Students

Would play the game the same as above but they would use the word cards with the pictures on them.  The pictures on the word cards would assist them if they do not know their letter sounds yet.

Word Family Spinners

The focus word family in this theme is "unk" and "ank". The children spin the wheel to make new words.   The spinners would be made using the templates found in the theme unit. 

Printing Ideas and Printing Book - found in the links below:

Printing Ideas

Printing Book

Writing Center Activities - Helping the Earth

The focus in this theme is on helping the Earth.  The children will write about what they can do to help the Earth.  How this activity is completed will depend on the age of the child.  Some children will be able to write this themselves using a model and others would need to dictate this to a teacher or adult helper.  Templates to complete this project are found in the theme unit.

Craft Activities

Star Craft

This craft would be a great follow-up activity after reading the emergent readers "The Sun Is An Important Star" or "Stars in the Sky"

Instructions for the Craft

The children paint the star. After the paint is dry, they can cut out the star. Give the children two small squares of black paper.  Show them how to cut small slits to make eye lashes.  After, the children can roll the paper with a pencil to make the eyelashes curl. The eyelashes, wiggle eyes,and facial features can be added to complete the craft.

Constellation Craft

Templates to complete this craft are found in the theme unit.  These are transferred to card stock or soft plastic material (can be reused again) to use as tracers.  The children can trace around them using a white pencil crayon, paint or chalk. It is much easier if these were held down with sticky tac. Children fill in the outlines with gold paint or glue.  Stars are added to make constellations.    The original tracing picture templates could be used to match with the correct constellation picture.  A great matching activity!

Star Gazer or Telescope

Children can make a star gazer or telescope using a paper towel or toilet paper roll.  They can paint the roll and add decorations to complete the project.  After, they can view the constellations they created.

Astronaut Craft

Take head shots of each child. A 4X6 photo will fit but some cropping might be required.  The template to complete this project is found in the theme unit.

Follow-up Space Craft - Space Shuttle

In the theme unit you will find space photographs including a space shuttle.  These could be used for discussion purposes.  The children can design their own space shuttle for traveling to the space station as viewed in the photograph to the left.

Directions for the Craft

1.  Children paint the space shuttle body (simple to cut version).

2.  The window can be copied to another color of paper or painted as well.  A photograph would be glued in the window and added to the body of the space shuttle.  The window could also remain white and the children draw a picture of themselves and a friend in the window.

3.  The parts are cut and glued together.  The Earth and space shuttle could be glued on black construction paper.  Stars and cotton balls could also be added to create more of a space look.

Moon Craft