Exploring the Skies: Airplane Unit Study

Embarking on an airplane unit study is an exciting way to introduce young learners to the fascinating world of aviation. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, a teacher looking for fresh ideas, or simply seeking to engage your child’s curiosity, this comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need for a successful and educational adventure. From a curated list of children’s books to hands-on lesson ideas and even airplane-themed field trips, let’s dive into the world of aviation!

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Airplane Unit Study

Picture Books

1. “The Noisy Airplane Ride” by Mike Downs
2. “Airplanes: Soaring! Diving! Turning!” by Patricia Hubbell
3. “Rosie Revere, Engineer≥” by Andrea Beaty
4. “Planes Fly!” by George Ella Lyon
5. “How to Build a Plane” by Saskia Lacey
6. “The Airport Book” by Lisa Brown
7. “Curious George Takes a Trip” by H.A. Rey
8. “The Boy and the Airplane” by Mark Pett
9. “The Littlest Airplaine” by Brooke Hartman
10. “The Ultimate Book of Airplanes and Airports” by Sophie Bordet-Petillon
11. “DK Eyewitness Books: Flight” by Andrew Nahum
12. “The Big Book of Airplanes” by DK Big Books
13. “Googles: The Bear Who Dreamed of Flying” by Jonathan Gunson
14. “Away in My Airplane” by Margaret Wise Brown
15. “Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Tood Invents an Airplane” by Kirsten W. Larson

Chapter books about airplanes

1. “Airborn” by Kenneth Oppel
2. “We Own the Sky” by Rodman Philbrick **sensitive content
3. “Pilot Book for Smart Kids: How to Become a Pilot and Succeed in Aviation” by Marty Hodgef
4. “Born to Fly: An Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane” by Shane Osborn
5. “Cleared for Takeoff: The Ultimate Book of Flight” by Rowland White
6. “Flight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany” by Kristen Fulton
7. “Ask a Pilot: A Pilot Answers Kids’ Top Questions About Flying” by Justin Kelley
8. “Cam Jensen: The Mystery of Flight 54” by David A. Adler

Lesson ideas

Paper Airplane Challenge: Design and test various paper airplane models, experimenting with different wing shapes and sizes.

Build a Mini Airplane: Use craft materials such as popsicle sticks, foam, and glue to construct small-scale airplane models.

Flight Path Mapping: Study different flight paths and create maps to illustrate routes taken by commercial airlines or historical flights.

Wind Tunnel Experiment: Design and build a simple wind tunnel to explore how different wing shapes affect lift and drag.

Air Traffic Control: Role-play as air traffic controllers and practice giving instructions to guide imaginary planes safely through the sky.

Aviation Alphabet: Teach children the phonetic alphabet used in aviation communications and practice spelling their names using the alphabet.

Flight Simulator: Use flight simulator software or online resources to give children a virtual experience of piloting an airplane.

Airport Scavenger Hunt: Visit a local airport or use online resources to create a scavenger hunt, spotting various airport features and aircraft.

Cloud Classification: Study different cloud types and their association with weather patterns, emphasizing their importance for pilots.

Flight Logbook: Encourage children to maintain a flight logbook, recording imaginary flights or trips they would like to take.

Educational Resources

You can shop all of these resources, books, and more on our Amazon Storefront under AIRPLANE UNIT STUDY.

AIRPLANE-THEMED FIELD TRIPS

In-Person Field Trips:

• Local Airports: Arrange a guided tour of your nearest airport, where children can observe aircraft up close and learn about airport operations.

• Aviation Museums: Visit aviation museums that feature aircraft displays, interactive exhibits, and historical artifacts related to flight.
• Air Shows: Attend air shows or fly-ins, where children can witness aerial displays and see different types of aircraft in action.

Virtual Field Trips:

• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Virtual Tour: Explore the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artifacts from the comfort of your home.
• Airbus Virtual Tour: Take a virtual tour of Airbus manufacturing facilities, learning about the process of aircraft construction.
• Boeing Future of Flight Virtual Tour: Discover the innovation behind Boeing’s aircraft production and explore their facilities online.

PRINTABLES

Amelia Earhart

Books

1. “The Amelia Six” by Kristin L. Gray
2. “The Story of Amelia Earhart: A Biography Book for New Readers” by Stacia Deutsch
3. “Amelia Earhart: A Kids Book About Flying Against All Odds” by Mary Nhin
4. “Who Was Amelia Earhart?” by Kate Boehm
5. “National Geographic Readers: Amelia Earhart” by Caroline Crosson Gilpin

Videos

The Wright Brothers

Books

1. “The Wright Brothers: Pioneers of American Aviation” by Quentin Reynolds
2. “The Wright Brothers: A Kid’s Book About Achieving the Impossible” by Mary Nhin
3. “Who Were The Wright Brothers?” by James Buckley
4. “The Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers” by Annette Whipple
5. “To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers” by Wendie C. Old

videos

By immersing children in an airplane unit study, you can ignite their imagination, foster curiosity about aviation, and lay the foundation for future learning. Whether through captivating books, hands-on activities, or engaging field trips, this journey will help young learners soar to new heights of knowledge and understanding. So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an adventure in the skies!

Are you looking for more unit study ideas? Check out our HOMESCHOOL page for a full list of unit study ideas plus more lesson ideas like this one!

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