Outer Space (Grades 1–2) is a comprehensive science unit that introduces young learners to the planets, the sun, the moon, and the basic structure of our Solar System. Students learn key concepts such as the cause of day and night, Earth’s rotation, and the order of the planets. The resource includes a rich vocabulary list, teacher‑guided lessons, and a 14‑page student booklet that reinforces understanding through matching, classifying, riddles, cloze activities, and hands‑on modeling. Students will “know the names of the nine planets… and basic facts about each” and that they will understand that “day and night is caused by the rotation of the Earth,” directly supporting early astronomy learning.

The unit also integrates literacy, math, art, phonics, and creative writing, making it a versatile cross‑curricular resource. Students develop research skills, create space‑themed writing pieces, design models, and participate in cooperative learning tasks such as “Create a Perfect Planet” and “School in Outer Space.” These activities align with Canadian science expectations, U.S. Common Core literacy standards, and NGSS Earth & Space Science outcomes for Grades 1–2, ensuring that students build both scientific knowledge and essential communication skills.

Learning Objectives:

Students will know:

• the names of the nine planets in our Solar System and their position relative to the sun
• basic facts about each of the nine planets in our Solar System
• terminology for various heavenly bodies and concepts related to the study of Space
• day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its own axis (24 hours) and that the seasons are caused by the rotation of the Earth around the sun ( l year)
• different parts of the world experience day and night at different times 

U.S. Standards Chart (Grades 1–2)

  Canadian Standards Chart (Grades 1–2)

 Introduction Includes:

• Teacher Notes
• List of Skills
• Student Self-Evaluation
• Student Activity Tracking Sheet
• Space Art and Blank Activity Cards

 Activity Topics:

 Student Booklet

Answer Key Student Booklet

 Word Study Activities:

1. Contractions/Full Form Matching
2. Word/Picture Matching
3. Planet Riddles
4. Rhyming Words
5. Sentence Puzzles
6. Alphabetical Order

Phonics Activities:

1. Compound Words
2. Sun Compound Words
3. Short Vowels "a n and "e"
4. Short Vowels "i, o, u"
5. Consonant Blends "st, sp"
6. Consonant Blends "pl, er"
7. Initial Consonant “m"
8. Initial Consonant "s"

 Brainstorming Activities:

1. Planning a Space Flight
2. Designing a Spaceship
3. Reasons for Wearing a Spacesuit
4. Reasons for Exploring Space
5. Astronaut Questions
6. Classifying People, Places and Things
7. Sorting Day and Night Sentences

 Creative Writing Activities:

1. Rocket Rebus
2. Space ABC Book
3. Space Shape Book
4. The New Plane
5. Space Travel
6. Silly Space Sentences

• Choose a Title
• Postcard from Outer Space

Research Activities:

1. Planet Facts
2. Astronaut Facts
3. Space Travel

• Life in a Spaceship

Cooperative Learning Activities:

1. Create a Perfect Planet
2. School in Outer Space

• Invention of the Future

4. Design a Space Station

 Reading Activities:

1. Cartoon Follow Up

• Star Reading Report

3. Reading Log
4. Picture Dictionary

• You in the Story
• Space Map

Math Activities:

1. Geometric Monster
2. Number Creature
3. Numeral/Cardinal Match
4. Counting in 2's

 Art Activities:

1. Space Pet
2. Space Map
3. Cut and Paste Planet
4. Cut and Paste Spaceship
5. Space Creature
6. Vehicle of the Future
7. Sport of the Future
8. Food of the Future
9. Space Painting

Creative Activities:

1. Moon Surface - Sand
2. Space station - Blocks
3.  Space Models - Modeling Clay

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