If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to teach a lesson about the legendary Apollo 13 mission, look no further than the picture book, “You Wouldn’t Want To Be On Apollo 13!”. This picture book is great to use when teaching problem and solution and it provides an exciting visual representation of one of the most famous space missions in history. It features high-quality illustrations, in-depth information, and plenty of fun activities that make learning about this historic event more engaging for kids. Let’s take a closer look at what this amazing book has to offer. You can grab this book on Amazon here!
Before Reading Questions
The before reading questions present in “You Wouldn’t Want To Be On Apollo 13!” are designed to help students build background knowledge and prepare them for the story ahead. These questions cover topics such as why astronauts go into space, what types of items they bring with them on their journey, and how they communicate with ground control once they leave Earth’s atmosphere. By introducing these concepts before reading the story, students gain a better understanding of what happened during the Apollo 13 mission and why it was so important.
- What objects and people do you see on the cover?
- What is the man doing?
- What is covering his mouth?
- What is his hand doing?
During Reading Questions
The during reading questions allow students to interact with the text as they read it. These questions focus on key facts such as when the mission took place, what went wrong with the spacecraft, and how much time it took for Mission Control to figure out how to get them back home safely. By answering these questions as they read along, students can understand exactly what happened during this historic event and gain an appreciation for all that was accomplished by those who worked on it.
- There were quite a bit of problems in this story. What is the MAIN problem in this story?
- Explain how the astronaut’s day started. Create a timeline using the Launch Day – Countdown to Take Off plan
After Reading Questions
The after reading questions are designed to engage students in critical thinking about the events that transpired during the mission. They encourage students to consider things like how astronauts were able to survive despite limited resources or how their experience might have been different had they not been able to return home safely. Through these questions, students can gain a deeper understanding of both the success and failure that occurred during this incredible journey into space exploration.
- Explain the relationship between the astronauts. How do you know they trusted each other?
- Why did the author include information about the fitting a square filter into the circular filter?
- How is the text organized? What are the key words to tell you that it is this specific organization?
- Explain the difference between the 2 ways that the astronauts could enter Earth’s atmosphere
Writing Activities for Problem and Solution
Writing activities for the picture book you wouldn’t want to be on Apollo 13 is an exciting exercise for students! Working together to create a storyline based off of provided information is a great way to engage their creative thinking. To start, each student will write one sentence that they think the book is going to be about; this could be their own original spin on an existing idea or something just out of their creativity. Then, they will pass it off to someone else who will take the sentence and continue the thought before sending it on. This activity encourages imagination in a fun and lively atmosphere that can be shared with classmates.
Adding SEL Components Into Apollo 13 Picture Book
Upon hearing the news that they had a major problem aboard Apollo 13, the astronauts must have felt many emotions. Fear and uncertainty were likely present due to the risk they faced, as well as disappointment at being unable to finish the mission of landing on the moon. However, their training and procedures likely kicked in to help focus their thoughts on solving their problem. This demonstrates an important self-regulation skill – feeling upset but not allowing those feelings to stop them from focusing on the task of getting home safely. By incorporating this picture book into a SEL lesson plan, students can learn that it is crucial to balance emotional reactions with clear thinking in difficult situations.
Picture books are an excellent way for teachers to introduce lessons about important historical events or scientific concepts—and “You Wouldn’t Want To Be On Apollo 13!” is no exception. With its vivid illustrations, comprehensive information, and thought-provoking activities, this picture book is sure to engage even your most reluctant readers while still providing valuable teaching moments about one of humanity’s greatest achievements in space exploration history. Whether you’re looking for teacher lesson plans or student workbooks full of reading response questions and writing activities related to this remarkable mission, “You Wouldn’t Want To Be On Apollo 13!” has something for everyone interested in learning more about this incredible feat of human ingenuity.
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