How to Bicycle to the Moon in 9 Steps...and Take a Selfie

Last week, due to testing in the library, Mrs. Cabral's class took a break from our Easel.ly infographics on the computers and I read the instructional picture book, How to Bicycle to the Moon to Plant Sunflowers by Mordicai Gerstein. Written from a young boy's perspective, he outlines 24 steps to bicycle to the moon and plant sunflowers including the physics of getting there, acquiring a spacesuit, and convincing your parents. After reading the book, students created their own version using a 9-panel comic style organizer. The activity helped students practice sequencing, instructional writing, and using their imaginations to make the impossible possible.

Austin used traditional carpentry to build a ramp and supplemented with jet packs:

 Sam took the thrifty approach and fashioned a ladder out of monkey bars using a blow torch:

Elijah catapulted bike and all and ended the trip with makeshift wings:

Zoe made sure she had a food sack, jet packs, and the proper suit:

Samantha suggested sleeping on the moon to make sure the sunflowers took:

Kennedy launched from a giant slingshot:

Elizabeth used 5 Dumbo elephants to get to the moon:

Lily's final step was to return home and have horrible nightmares about the whole ordeal:

And in true 2014 fashion, Sam took a selfie on the moon so he could post on Facebook.