Astronomy Out of This World by Basher and Green

Astronomy Out of This World!

Created by Basher and Written by Dan Green

Summary: Astronomy Out of This World gives details about the Sun, the Solar System, black holes, stars, planets and many other features of our solar system. The author uses first person to help the reader relate to each celestial body. The book uses comic like illustrations to grab the readers' attention. Each page contains several facts and an illustration. The book begins with the sun and the planets then ends with dark energy and space-time. A few topics may be difficult for a fourth grader to fully comprehend on their own and may require scaffolding from the teacher. Overall the book is well organized and visually appealing.

SC Science Standard: 4-3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements, and locations of objects in the solar system. (Earth Science)

Indicator: 4-3.2 Compare the properties (including the type of surface and atmosphere) and the location of Earth to the Sun, which is a star, and the Moon.

SC ELA Standard: 4-2 The student will read and comprehend a variety of informational texts in print and nonprint formats.

Indicator: 4-2.6 Use graphic features (including illustrations, graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and graphic organizers) as sources of information.

Lesson/Activity: The teacher will use this text in one of the centers for the Astronomy

my unit. The students at this center will choose two celestial bodies (that have not been chosen by other groups) and create a Venn diagram, as a group. The students will use chart paper to create their Venn diagrams and each group will display their diagram on the walls for the other students to read.

Objectives:

• The student will identify important properties of two celestial bodies.
• The student will compare and contrast the properties of the two celestial bodies
• The students will correctly complete a Venn Diagram on their chosen celestial bodies.

Materials:

• Astronomy Out of This World!
• Chart paper
• markers

Procedure:

1. The teacher will break the class into their center groups.
2. The students in center #1 will read aloud the introduction chapter of the text
3. Next the students will look through the table of contents and choose two celestial bodies that have not been chose by other groups.
4. The students will read aloud in their groups the sections for each of their chosen celestial bodies.
5. The students will use chart paper and markers to create a group Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting their chosen celestial bodies. The Venn diagram must contain at least three comparisons.
6. The students will display their Venn Diagrams on the wall.
7. The class will discuss each Venn diagram after all groups have completed that center.