Space Race Year 5 KS2 History and geography unit

A series of 4 (could be 5 if the first lesson is split into two sessions) covering the Space Race. This covers history and geography elements. All resources and PowerPoints included.

Lesson 1 - Children learn about the Space Race, why it started and the achievements of both the USA and Soviet Union. They will decide what the main conflicts are and then use sources to sort the information. The next part is to match the key information to the photographs and create a timeline of the Space Race.
*This lesson can be delivered over two sessions

Lesson 2 - Geography focus lesson looking at land use of rocket launch sites around the world. They will study aerial photographs to compare and contrast rocket launch sites around the world. Links to latitude and longitude too. Additional activity to give the children aerial photographs of your school buildings and ground for them to decide where the safest place would be to launch a rocket and explain why.

Lesson 3 - Geography focus lesson comparing the human and physical features of Moscow and Washington DC. Children will use climate graphs, topographic maps and other resources to compare the two places before writing a comparison paragraph with their findings.

Lesson 4 - The final lesson is to look at two British astronauts and what they have contributed to space exploration. They will be given time to research each astronaut to understand their achievements. Finally, children will learn about the future of space exploration and using sources, understand the pros and cons of space exploration as well as forming their own opinion on the matter.