Lesson Plan
White House Historical Association

White House Historical Association: John F. Kennedy and the Space Race

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A look at John F. Kennedy's goal for the United States, which was to send the first man to the Moon and to bring him safely back to Earth. Informational text and lesson plan for students in grades 9-12.
PPT
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Walk on the Moon

For Students 9th - 10th
This online lesson helps students explore primary sources, including photographs and audio and video recordings, in order to learn about the Apollo crew and spacecraft, the history of the space race, and the incredible technological...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: Landing a Man on the Moon: President Nixon and the Apollo Program

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity chronicles the Space Race from President Kennedy's call to land on the Moon until Apollo 17 - the last lunar Mission, placing particular emphasis on President Nixon's role in the space program.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Red Files: Secret Soviet Moon Mission

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS offers biographies and stories from the early days of the Soviet Space program, which prompted the Space Race and nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Apollo 11 Walking on the Moon

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this interactive website about the space race.
Website
Other

Historic Wings: "One Small Step" Race to the Moon

For Students 9th - 10th
"One Small Step, The Race To The Moon" is a clear presentation of the story of the Moon landing program that the United States conducted during the 1960's and early 1970's. After launching the presentation click on the phases of the Moon...
Website
Other

We Choose the Moon

For Students 9th - 10th
Feel like you were right there when Apollo 11 was launched as you listen to the actual Mission Control audio from that date. The mission is further brought to life by photos and video of the event as well as a virtual animation. Go...
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Contemporary Nonfiction: Jfk Speech

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on John F. Kennedy's speech, "We Choose to go to the Moon," delivered at Rice University on September 12, 1962. It features links to JFK's biography and Wikipedia entry, the National Geographic: "Moon 101" video, the...
Website
NASA

Nasa Space Science Data Archive: Russian Lunar Missions

For Students 9th - 10th
Details the Russian lunar missions from Luna 1 to Zond 8.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How Landing the First Man on the Moon Cost Dozens of Lives

For Students 9th - 10th
NASA was preparing feverishly for a moon landing in a race against the former Soviet Union to honor slain president John F. Kennedy's 1961 pledge for the country to land a spacecraft on the moon (and return safely) before the end of the...
Website
Other

Historic Wings: John Glenn Friendship 7

For Students 9th - 10th
The story of America's first astronaut to orbit the earth during the Mercury Space program. After launching the program click on continue or on the numbers to learn about the story of the Mercury program and the first American to orbit...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Apollo 40th Anniversary

For Students 9th - 10th
On the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, NASA celebrates with this extensive site which includes images, video, audio,and virtual moon visits about and from Apollo 11's voyage to the moon.
Website
NASA

Nasa: The First Lunar Landing

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from NASA is extensive and contains a deep supply of information about the historical moon landing. Click on "Table of Contents" to proceed through the site. Wonderful images!
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Astronaut Wives Club

For Students 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the inspiration behind the book The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.