Although it sounds pretty crazy, this is not a joke! There is actually a day designated to pretending to be a time traveler.
The origins of this day are unknown but clearly it was created by someone who loved to dream, to pretend, and to learn in an imaginative way. Time travelers could go back in history to see what a certain time was like, what people wore, what they ate, what they did, etc. They could also be propelled into the future to learn about the advances in technology, travel, medicine, and just about anything else you think the future world might teach us.
Just imagine….
Gather students and ask:
Explain that anything that takes place after today is called the future. Share the information with them about “Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day.”
Invite students to put on their imaginary future caps and climb aboard the make believe “future-mobile” with you. Ask the students to imagine that they are in the future, about 15 years from today.
What do they see? What do they hear? What are they wearing? What are they doing?
Provide each student with paper and markers and ask them to draw themselves in the future, showing what they want to be when they grow up.
Share and post. Even better, make your own “I want to be…” class video and share it with parents on your school website!!
Ask students:
Ask:
Invite students to think about a time and place they would like to visit if they could be in a time machine. Allow them time to create word maps, drawings or short notes to help them visualize their selections. Once they have done this, divide students into pairs and have them interview each other, asking their partner the following questions:
Once the interviews are complete, ask volunteers to share their experiences!
Ask students:
Note: This activity could be a simple short one-lesson event or you might choose to tie it in with a Science and Technology project that could include drawings, models, “TED Talk”–style presentations, etc. Your choice!
Invite students to design a time machine. They can draw a design by hand or on computer, or construct a 3-D model. (See note above.)
Here are some questions they might consider when planning their time machine.
Provide time (and resources if you wish) for students to complete their designs and then present them. Invite the rest of the class to ask questions following the demonstration.
Post the designs and challenge interested students to explore the concept of time travel on their own and share any new information with the class.
Image credits:
SHUTTR_MX_May_18 bysora. Shutterstock