Comets, Stars, The Moon and Mars by Douglas Florian

Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars

by Douglas Florian

Summary: The author uses poetry to explore the earth, the moon, the sun, stars, planets, comets, galaxies, the universe, black holes, and the great beyond. The book contains 20 entertaining yet informational poems about space. The book is a great text to start off a unit on astronomy. The text briefly covers many topic in fun and interesting way.

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: 4-3.1 Recall that Earth is one of many planets in the solar system that orbit the Sun. 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 Standards: 4-2 The student will read and comprehend a variety of informational texts in print and nonprint formats.

Indicator: 4-2.2 Analyze informational texts to draw conclusions and make inferences.

Activity/Lesson: The teacher will use this text at the beginning of the Astronomy Unit. The teacher will read Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars. As the teacher reads aloud the text, the students will write down in their journals things they found interesting, things they didn't understand, comments, and what they want to learn from the unit on Astronomy. The text will activate the students' prior knowledge, bring any misconeptions to the teacher's attention, and get the students interested in learning Astronomy. The picture and wording are both very catchy.

Objectives:

• The student will identify important facts about the solar system
  

Materials:

• Journals
• Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars

Procedures:

1. The teacher will tell the students that we are about to start a new unit on Astronomy.
2. The teacher will read the text Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars.
3. While reading the text, the students will write in their journals they found interesting, things they didn't understand, comments, and what they want to learn from the unit on Astronomy.
4. The teacher will collect the journals and alter her next lesson based on the responses of the students. The teacher will address all questions and misconceptions listed in the students' journals.