Field Trip to the Moon
#1 in Field Trip Adventures Series
What’s inside...
The aliens are fascinated when a group of children come to explore their moon. It’s only when curiosity separates one of the earthlings from the rest of the class that the real adventure can begin. It's field trip day, and students are excited to travel on their yellow spaceship bus from their space station to the moon in this wordless picture book. Climb aboard the spaceship bus for a fantastic field trip adventure to the moon. Once they land, students debark and set out with their teacher to explore. They jump over trenches and see craters and mountains on the moon's surface and even Earth in the faraway distance. One student takes a break to draw some pictures, falls asleep, and wakes up to discover that the rest of the class and the spaceship are gone. How the student passes the time waiting to be rescued makes for a funny and unexpected adventure that will enchant children all over the galaxy. An ALA Notable Children's Book and a Golden Duck Notable Picture Book.
Discussion points
How would you feel if you were on a field trip to the moon? What would you like to explore there?
What do you think the characters learned from their adventure?
Why do you think the author chose the moon for the field trip setting?
How did the illustrations help tell the story? Which picture was your favorite?
If you could draw your own scene from a moon adventure, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to describe what they would pack for a trip to the moon.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and making new friends, themes which are presented subtly in the book.
Use the book’s illustrations to engage your child, asking them to describe what they see and how it makes them feel.
After reading, encourage your child to create their own drawing of a scene from a moon field trip, helping them connect art and storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: In 'Field Trip to the Moon', children embarking on an adventurous field trip to the moon exhibit natural curiosity about their surroundings. This curiosity drives the story as they discover new landscapes and phenomena.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and ask questions about the world around them, reinforcing learning and cognitive development.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the group of students must work together to navigate their lunar surroundings and face unexpected challenges, illustrating the power of collaborative effort.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, a skill valuable in school projects and extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the unknown
Explanation: The protagonist and their peers demonstrate bravery as they land on and explore the unfamiliar terrain of the moon, facing uncertainties headlong.
Real-World Application: Instills confidence in children to face new challenges and environments, whether it be a new school, meeting new friends, or trying different activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem solving
Explanation: When the students encounter obstacles or unfamiliar situations, they must come up with creative solutions to navigate their environment safely.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively and devise solutions in difficult or unfamiliar situations, building critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Sense of adventure
Explanation: The book's setting and premise highlight the thrill and educational value of exploring new places, igniting a sense of adventure among the young readers.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to participate in exploratory and educational activities, such as field trips, museum visits, or nature walks, enhancing their observational skills.