Category: #apollo11

Landing on the Moon-50 Years Later

7/20/2019

Be honest...when you were a kid, how many of you thought it would be cool to be an astronaut? If you didn't, you certainly had a friend who did. The picture above was taken in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's gift shop while on an adventure with my nerdy history friend Jessica. I couldn't resist. My kids are going to love it, particularly as we have a year long space theme (among other themes) going on in class this upcoming school year. I am busily researching STEAM projects we can explore in class.

So much of my social studies instruction is based upon teaching timelines that having a focused theme on space exploration will be a timely touch. I have to admit that I am a bit partial this year as I am celebrating the same number. I am still searching for the perfect t-shirt to add to my collection for teaching history. I'll keep you posted.

As always when teaching timelines, I LOVE finding new children's literature to support our studies. Whenever there is a big anniversary celebration coming out, authors are quick to think ahead and write for the event. Recently, I have become obsessed with the new line of Little Golden Books of historical events/characters. I recently picked up the new Statue of Liberty on our last visit. I was pleased to see a new one focusing on the first moon landing. Additionally, if you are unfamiliar with Chris Gall, he published a book on America The Beautiful that has incredible illustrations to use with your students and I am excited to get my hands on Go For The Moon. Admittedly, I don't have either book YET, but have added them to my Amazon cart. Please click on the images below if you would like to order from Amazon as well. I am Neil Armstrong is a new addition to Brad Meltzer's series.

As I mentioned earlier, almost all of my social studies teaching centers around teaching timelines. I have discovered over the last many years that students find great success when given the ability to organize people and events via a master timeline. I have many mini-timelines that merge into my GIANT anchor chart and the history makers from this mini timeline are then embedded into the larger. Please enjoy the images below as a small sample of the MEGA pack that can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers if you are interested.

space exploration Mega Pack

Lastly, no major event would be complete without a GOOGLE DOODLE! Yes, I love them and this one is particularly grand. The eagle has landed!!