International Day of Human Space Flight

Introduction

The United Nations have declared 12 April as being the International Day of Human Space Flight. In this lesson, learners find out some key facts and figures related to space exploration. The information is presented in a fun way through a pair-work jigsaw reading activity in which pupils practise both question forms and saying numbers. Afterwards they work in groups, using the information they have learned to make classroom posters celebrating human achievements in space.

Learning outcomes

• Celebrate International Day of Human Space Flight 
• Practise question forms and saying numbers
• Learn about some of the key moments in international space exploration

Some learners will:

• use English creatively.

Age and level

Primary pupils aged between 9 and 12 

CEFR level A2 and above

Time

50–60 minutes

Materials

The lesson plan and student worksheet are available to download in PDF format below.

NB: You need to cut the worksheet in half for the pair work.

Before the lesson

• Download and make copies of the worksheets you need for the lesson.
• Ensure the poster-making materials are easily accessible for all groups so that learners don't have to move around the classroom.
• Identify an area where learners can display their posters.

Task 1: Warmer (10 minutes)

• Write these three facts on the board:

  1. Europeans first went into space in ____.

  2.____ astronauts have travelled to the moon.

  3. The distance to the moon is more than _____ kilometres.

• Explain that you have the missing information. If learners ask the correct questions, you will give them the answers. Tell the class to think of the questions they need to ask in order to obtain the missing information.
• Learners put their hands up to suggest questions. When a learner offers a correct question form, give them the answer and complete the sentences with the missing number.
• Write the correct questions on the board, highlighting the key words in bold.

1. When did Europeans first go into space? (1978)
2. How many astronauts have travelled to the moon? (20)
3. How far is (it to) the moon? or What is the distance to the moon? (350,000km)

Task 2: Information gap activity (10 minutes)

• Give half the class a copy of worksheet A and the other half a copy of worksheet B.
• Pupils work together in small groups of all As and all Bs. They look at their gapped sentences and think about the questions they need to ask in order to find out the missing information – a name, a number or a date.
• Learners can make a note of their questions. Monitor the groups and help or prompt if necessary.

Task 3: Information exchange (10 minutes)

Put learners into pairs, A and B. Explain that they must not show their partner their worksheet. They take turns to ask and answer questions and complete the gaps in their worksheet with all the missing information. Demonstrate the first question with one learner.

Task 4: Making a poster (20 minutes)

• Put learners into small groups to make a poster celebrating the International Day of Human Space Flight. Write these instructions on the board for learners to follow. Check learners understand what they have to do. Give timings for each step:
  • Plan (2 minutes) – Decide on the group roles (writer, designer, facilitator, editor, timekeeper, etc.). In larger mixed-ability classes, you may need to assign roles.
  • Prepare (5 minutes) – Choose a heading for your poster, choose some interesting facts to include, find or draw some pictures to illustrate your poster and decide where you want the texts and where you want the pictures.
  • Make (10 minutes) – Make your poster.
  • Display (3 minutes) – Put your poster on the wall

Optional extras

• Encourage learners to say what they like about each group's poster.
• Groups could present their posters. (This could be done in the following lesson.)
• Learners watch the 'Our colourful world' story https://youtu.be/lxfaVWsHQEM?si=1cP9TVtCVyt4Frcs

Contributed by Katherine Bilsborough, edited by Suzanne Mordue