Fiction and non-fiction titles compiled by our developers
Annotated lists of child-friendly and teacher-friendly websites to deepen content knowledge or conduct further research.
Documents for Science Companion users to print for their classrooms.
Suggestions for organizing and managing materials.
ExploraGear kits contain equipment and consumables for student explorations. Scroll down to view the entire ExploraGear list.
Each module also lists easy-to-find Classroom Supplies used in the lessons. Scroll down or click the link on the right to see the Classroom Supplies list for this module.
| QUANTITY | ITEM |
|---|---|
| 14 | Styrene Balls, 1 in |
| 14 | Styrene Balls, 2 in |
| 14 | Styrene Balls, 3 in |
| 1 | Tennis Ball |
| 4 | Batteries, Non-Alkaline D-Cell, set/2 |
| 15 | Bolts, 3/32” x 1-1/2” |
| 1 | Light Bulb, 100 Watt Incandescent, set/4 |
| 1 | White Cardboard, 11” x 17” |
| 1 | Clay, Self Hardening, 4 oz |
| 1 | Binder Clip, Medium, pk/12 |
| 1 | Compass |
| 1 | Dots, ½ in, 1 Sheet in Zipbag |
| 4 | Flashlights, Plastic |
| 1 | Inflatable Globe w/ Stand |
| 1 | Clip-on Lamp |
| 1 | Notepad, Self-sticking, 1.5” x 2” |
| 1 | Notepad, Self-sticking, 3” x 3” |
| 1 | Sky Dome, 8 in Clear Half-sphere |
| 1 | Solar System Scale Model Kit |
| 1 | Glow-in-the-dark Star Stickers, pk/48 |
| 1 | Storage Chest w/ Lid, 11X18X15” |
| QUANTITY | ITEM | LESSONS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 per child | Binders or folders | Family Link Notebooks |
| Class set | Colored markers | 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 21 |
| Class set | Colored pencils | 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 16, 18, SBA 1, SBA 2 |
| Class set | Crayons | 1, 6, 10 |
| 1 package | Modeling clay | 1, 4, 6, 14, 16, SBA 1 |
| Several | Sphere and disc-shaped items, various sizes | 1, 6 |
| 1 piece | Chalk | 2, 3, 4, 14, 16 |
| 1 per pair | Clipboards | 2 |
| 1 | Coffee can (optional) | 2, 3 |
| 1 | Meter stick (optional) | 2, 3 |
| Several | Dark-colored objects | 2 |
| 4 cups | Sand (optional) | 2, 3 |
| 1 ball | String or rope | 2, 6, 20 |
| 1 | Alarm clock or kitchen timer (optional) | 3, 4, 9, 14, 16 |
| 1 pad | Chart paper | 3, 9, 11, 21 |
| 1 | Easel | 3, 9 |
| Class set | Pencils | 3 |
| 1 | Street map of local area (optional) | 3 |
| 1 | Watch | 3, 9 |
| 1 sheet | Construction paper, light-colored, 11” x 17” | 4 |
| 1 can | Spray paint, non-water-soluble (or masking tape or chalk) | 4 |
| 1 | Permanent marker, black, fine-tipped | 4, 14, 16 |
| 1 package | Pipe cleaners | 4, 6, 14, 16, SBA 1 |
| 1 | Marker, colored, water-soluble, fine-tipped | 4, 14, 16 |
| 2 packages | Index cards | 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 26 |
| 1 ream | Paper, various colors | 6 |
| Several | Wood or plastic cubes, small and medium-sized | 6 |
| Several | Foam balls | 6 |
| Several bottles | Glue | 6, 26, SBA 1 |
| Class set | Paint, various colors | 6 |
| Several | People figures, miniature | 6 |
| Class set | Scissors | 6, 12, SBA 4 |
| 1 box | Straws | 6, SBA 1 |
| 1 box | Toothpicks | 6 |
| 1 | Overhead projector | 7, 8, 11, 18, 23, SBA 2, SBA 4 |
| 1 | Spot-size bandage or permanent water-resistant reinforcement labels | 7 |
| 1 | Thumbtack | 7 |
| 1 | Clock, analog (optional) | 8 |
| 1 per group | Calculators (optional) | 8, 20 |
| Several | Newspapers (optional) | 8 |
| Class set | Rulers | 8, 18 |
| 1 pair | Binoculars (optional) | 9 |
| Several rolls | Tape | 10, 20, 26 |
| 1 | Paper cutter (optional) | 12 |
| 1 | TV and videotape player (optional) | 13 |
| 1 | Videotape about the moon’s cycles (optional) | 13 |
| 1 | Tape measure | 19, 26 |
| 1 | Basketball | 20, 26 |
| 1 | Golf ball | 20 |
| 2 | Paper plates, small size | 20 |
| 1 per pair | Rulers or tape measures | 20 |
| 1 | Fabric or umbrella, dark and large (optional) | 22 |
| 1 | Swivel chair (optional) | 22 |
| At least 1 per child | Non fiction books about the planets | 24 |
| Writing and art supplies, or video equipment | 25 | |
| 10 | Traffic cones and meter sticks (optional) | 26 |
| 2 | Toy cars | SBA 1 |
| 2 | Dolls | SBA 1 |
| Several pieces | Fabric, variety | SBA 1 |
| 2 | Stuffed animals | SBA 1 |
| 1 package | Twist ties | SBA 1 |
| Several balls | Yarn | SBA 1 |
| 20 of one shape per child | Pattern blocks, square, triangle, rhombus, and trapezoid | SBA 2 |
| 1 per child | Toys that represent real objects | SBA 2 |
| 1 | Judy clock (optional) | SBA 4 |
| 1 sheet per child | Cardstock, 8.5” x 11” | SBA 4 |
| 1 per child | Brads | SBA 4 |
| 1 per group | Hole punches | SBA 4 |
The following is a list of recommended books, videos, and audio recordings that provide a wide range of reading and research resources for this unit. Collect as many as you can for your classroom science library, or provide the list to your school or local librarian
The books listed below hold particular relevance to daily sun pattern lessons. They concern the sun and shadows, with two books about ancient astronomers learning about Earth as a sphere. Most are nonfiction books, although one suggests a poem, “My Shadow.”
By Robert Louis Stevenson; illustrated by Alice and Martin Provenson. (1999, Golden Books)
Since their first appearance in 1885, the poems of Robert Louis Stevenson have engaged children’s sensibilities. This book includes the poem, “My Shadow.”
By Patricia Lauber. (HarperCollins Publishers, 1990)
This book follows the development of the idea that Earth is a sphere, from early deductions by ancient Greeks to the explorations of Columbus and Magellan. Includes simple experiments for children to try with tools as simple as those available to ancient Greeks. Since this book is out of print, look for it in a library or as a used book.
By Kathryn Lasky. (1994, Little, Brown and Company
The story of Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar of the third century B.C. who calculated the circumference of Earth with impressive accuracy by measuring shadows in two distant cities, measuring the distance between the cities, and using geometry. The children may need adult assistance if they want to understand why this method worked.
By Carolyn B. Otto. (2001, Scholastic)
Easy-to-read text is combined with photographs to give children an introduction to what shadows are and why they change. Includes ideas for experiments using flashlights.
By Gina Shaw; illustrated by Joan Holub. (2002, Cartwheel Books)
Written for kindergarten through grade 2, this book illustrates very easy, yet fun, shadow activities for children to read about and do on their own.
By Jess Brallier; illustrated by Bob Staake. (2000, Planet Dexter)
An excellent, age-appropriate book packed with neat things children can do with shadows.
By Cherry Gilchrist; illustrated by Amanda Hall. (1998, Barefoot Books)
The book explains how the names of the days of the week are associated with the sun, the moon, and the planets. Each entry is followed by a relevant story or myth representing a different tradition, including ancient Greek, Norse, Roman, Old English, and Babylonian cultures.
By Michael George. (1998, The Child’s World, Inc.)
Incorporates photographs with easy-to-read text divided into chapters about the sun. The first half of the book covers topics relevant to the solar system unit, such as what makes day and night, the distance from the earth, and identifies the sun as a star. The second half of the book focuses on the sun’s energy and its effects on Earth.
By Byrd Baylor; illustrated by Peter Parnall. (1978, Simon and Schuster)
This Caldecott Honor Book shows how many different cultures (from Native Americans to ancient Egyptians) greet the morning sun.
This list includes more books about the sun and books about historical astronomers of medieval and Renaissance times.
By Leonard Everett Fisher. (1992, Macmillan Publishing Company)
This age-appropriate book chronicles Galileo's impact on the history of science. It is conveyed with bold simplicity in spare prose and striking black-and-white acrylic paintings.
By Jim Weiss. (1999, Greathall Productions)
Told by master storyteller Jim Weiss, this audio book turns historic icons of science into real people, with tales about Archimedes, Copernicus, Galileo, and Isaac Newton. A 2000 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award Winner.
(Enslow Publishers, Inc.)
Books in this series feature several historical astronomers: Copernicus (by Catherine M. Ardronik, 2002), Galileo Galilei (by Paul W. Hightower, 1997), Isaac Newton (by Margaret J. Anderson, 2001), and Tycho Brahe (by Mary Gow, 2002). Written at an upper-elementary reading level, most are only available in hardcover.
By John Hudson Tiner; illustrated by Rod Burke. (1977, Mott Media)
This read-aloud book provides a good starting point for learning about the life of Kepler.
By Peter Sis . (1996, Frances Foster Books)
In this Caldecott Honor book, the author-illustrator tells the story of Galileo’s life in language as simple as a fairy tale, in pictures as complex as a tapestry, and in Galileo’s own words. The first man to turn the telescope to the skies, Galileo offered objective evidence that Earth was not the fixed center of the universe, but that it orbited the sun.
By Paulette Bourgeois; illustrated by Bill Slavin. (1999, General Distribution Services, Inc.)
An overview of the sun for independent readers. With both an index and glossary, this reference book also provides children with research skill building.
By Seymour Simon. (1990, William Morrow and Company)
Presents the sun through over 20 dramatic, full-color photographs and clear text. Discusses the basics of the sun’s size, light and heat; also describes the constant nuclear explosions at its core, the sea of boiling gases that form the surface, and the cloud of superheated gases that make up the corona, plus sunspots and flares.
This list includes books and videos about the moon and about the Apollo space missions.
Directed by Michael Gross III and Mitchell Friedman (1994, Disney Studios)
The first half the video is an episode about objects in space, including the size and scale of objects in the solar system. The second half focuses on the moon. In the first few minutes of the moon episode, Bill Nye models the causes of the moon’s cycle by walking a model moon around the bases of a baseball field, with Earth on home plate.
Produced by KCTA (1997, KCTA)
This video of a public television program contains other material unrelated to the moon or solar system. The second segment of this episode answers a viewer’s question, “How so we get the phases of the moon?” First the show demonstrates how Earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits Earth. Then it shows a scientist and the show’s host modeling the moon’s cycle.
Produced and directed by JWM Productions, LLC (1999, Schlessinger Media)
A short segment in the middle of this video shows a child modeling the moon’s cycle using a ball as the moon, a light as the sun, and the child’s head as Earth.
By Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Sal Murdocca. (1996, Random House)
In this book, illustrated in black-and-white, the characters are whisked forty years forward in time and land at an international space station on the moon. There they don space suits and go exploring the lunar surface. Independent readers will find it easy to read.
By Niki Walker and Bobbie Kalman. (1998, Crabtree Pub.)
Beautiful, full-color photographs help illuminate the lunar cycle, the moon’s surface, and its exploration by astronauts, as well as the effects it has on Earth. Each two-page spread highlights an interesting fact about the moon.
By E. C. Krupp; illustrated by Robin Rector Krupp. (2000, HarperCollins Juvenile Books)
Set in a picture-book format, the straightforward, conversational text begins by briefly explaining the history, geography, orbit, phases, eclipses, gravity, and exploration of the moon. The second half of the book concerns various cultures’ moon legends and beliefs throughout history. Appropriate for grades 3-6, and a worthwhile supplement to traditional books on the moon.
By Judy Donnelly; illustrated by Dennis Davidson. (1989, Random House)
The story of Apollo 11’s historic flight, from lift-off, through the famous line, “The Eagle has landed,” to splashdown and quarantine. Includes chapters on the history of the idea of flight to the moon, astronaut selection and training, and the flight’s effects on people in general.
By Franklyn Mansfield Branley; illustrated by True Kelley. (2000, HarperTrophy)
Incorporates NASA photos and information gathered by the Apollo space missions, along with a description of how the moon’s composition, terrain, and atmosphere differ from Earth’s.
By Philip Wilkinson. (1989, DK Publishing)
This story of Apollo 11’s trip to the moon starts with lift-off and finishes with splashdown and quarantine, with a short epilogue about the US space program in subsequent years. It conveys some of the suspense and drama of the event, including what the experience was like for the three astronauts.
The list below includes books to encourage children to continue learning about our solar system and beyond, including stars and planets, space, and space camp. Two books concern huge numbers and size.
By Sue Becklake. (1998, Scholastic Books)
Perfect for elementary-school children, a reference book that includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and “How to Use This Book.” Chapters include The Universe, The Solar System, Studying Space, and Space Travel. Each topic (e.g., the sun, Saturn, galaxy, astronomer, astronaut) is discussed in a two-page spread with full-color illustrations, including many photographs.
By Jack Challoner. (2001, Copper Beech Books)
A comprehensive, illustrated reference guide for children that includes contents, glossary, index, and labeled maps and diagrams. Chapters include Watching the Sky, The Solar System, Deep Space, and Space Exploration.
By Susan E. Goodman; photographs by Michael J. Dolittle. (2001, Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Anecdotal storytelling and photos let readers join a group of kids who go to U.S. Space Academy for a week. They try on flight suits and the lives of training astronauts. They use NASA simulators and learn how to walk on the moon and how to work without gravity. Finally, they blast off on a mission of their own.
By Chris Sasaki. (2003, Sterling Publishing Co)
Recounts the stories behind 88 constellations easily identifiable in the clear night sky. Color visuals are accompanied by facts on how far stars really are, other interstellar phenomena, the history of every constellation and how they got their names, and the best way to search for stars.
By Jerry Pallotta. (2003, Scholastic Inc.)
“If you can count to ten, you can count to one million. Welcome to the decimal system.” With these words on an opening page that pictures Earth in space, this book clearly presents and illustrates counting by the power of ten to reach 1,000,000.
By Robert E. Wells. (1993, Albert Whitman & Company)
With this book children think about some big things (like a blue whale), some bigger things (like the earth), and the biggest thing there is: the universe.
By Gary Mechler. (1999, Scholastic Inc.)
Designed to help novices look at the night sky the way an astronomer does. The book is divided into four parts: What is Astronomy? How to Look at the Sky, field guide, and reference. Includes descriptions of objects in our solar system as well as numerous star maps.
By Donald M. Silver; illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne. (1998, Learning Triangle Press)
Focuses on “one small square” of night sky around the constellation Orion. Discusses the stars’ colors, the Great Orion Nebula, the Milky Way galaxy, planets, comets, and the moon.
By Seymour Simon. (1992, Morrow Junior Books)
With over 50 full-color photographs and clear text, describes the nine planets, dozens of moons, and thousands of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that travel around our sun.
By Loreen Leedy. (1993, Scholastic Inc.)
Lively and colorful illustrations provide a fun introduction to the solar system. Fictitious postcards from each planet can give children a creative impetus for their own reports.
By Patricia Lauber. (1990, Orchard Books)
Vivid photos of Earth from space give readers a chance to soar away from our planet and view it as astronauts do. Text about how scientists use data collected by satellites may exceed the interest of elementary-age children, but the color photos make the book worth having in the Science Center.
By Franklyn M. Branley; illustrated by Felicia Bond. (1981, HarperCollins Publishers)
Appropriate for independent readers or as a read-aloud book. Provides good illustrations and directions for finding constellations. Emphasizes that stars appear to move across the sky at night, and that at different times of year you will see different stars.
By Robin Scagell. (1996, Henry Holt and Company)
A reference book featuring 27 chapters on space, our solar system, the stars, the Milky Way, and other galaxies. Good illustrations and captions make it accessible to elementary-age children.
By Seymour Simon. (1986, William Morrow and Company)
In clear text and with over 20 full-color photographs, describes many varieties of stars, from red giants to white dwarfs, from the enormous explosions known as supernovas to tiny, extremely dense neutron stars. Also discusses nebulas, black holes, pulsars, and quasars.
By James Riordan. (1999, Pavilion Books Limited)
A collection of myths and legends from ancient cultures around the world, including the Incas, Aztecs, Ancient Greeks, Chinese, and Native Americans. This book was particularly popular with the children of the Science Companion authors who were asked to read a handful of books about the solar system.
Below are some general tips and suggestions to assist with the management of materials for the Our Solar System Unit:
Our writers recommended these independent websites as background information and content supplements for Our Solar System lessons.
http://ology.amnh.org
Check out the astronomy area of this American Museum of Natural History site. It's the usual fun facts but done in an excellent manner.
http://www.planetary.org
Offers extensive up-to-date information and pictures of the most current happenings in astronomy.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Each day a different picture from space is shown with an information sheet to go along with it.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
This child-friendly NASA site offers an enormous amount of information about astronomy for children to explore independently.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/
View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then move through space towards the Earth in successive orders of magnitude until you reach the subatomic universe of electrons and protons.
http://www.worldtimezone.com
Use this site to locate the time zones around the world.
http://www.worldtimezone.com/datetime.htm
This page shows current areas of the world that are experiencing daytime and nighttime.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html
Use this site to obtain sunrise and sunset data for one day.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
World clock showing the current time in cities around the world.
http://www.griffithobs.org/skyfiles/skysunspath.html
This site provides the teacher with additional information about the sun’s apparent movement across the sky during different times of the year.
http://www.susdesign.com/solpath
This site shows the path of the sun’s apparent movement across the sky for different times of the year at different latitudes. Click the corners of the catalogue to change the month. Move the slider on the globe to change latitude. (Sample latitudes in the United States are: Augusta, ME about 44˚N; Boston, MA about 42˚N; Washington, DC about 39˚N; Atlanta, GA about 34˚N; Miami, FL about 26˚N; Fargo, ND about 47˚N; Chicago, IL about 42˚N; Denver, CO about 40˚N; Houston, TX about 30˚N; Seattle, WA about 47˚N; Las Vegas, NV about 36˚N; San Diego, CA about 33˚N.)
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-moon.html
Follow this link to a gallery of NASA photographs of the moon’s surface. Click on the thumbnail image you like most to get a full-screen view of it.
http://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/
View an illustrated calendar of the moon’s phases for the month and year that you choose. The calendar will show what your class’s moon phase observations should look like.
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/moon.htm
Offers potpourri of information about the moon and missions to the moon.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/
Phases of the moon and moon illumination data for any place and year.
http://www.astc.org/resource/exhibits/dussault.htm
Details community solar system walks across the country including Peoria, IL; Eugene, OR; Boston, MA; Gainesville, FL; and Washington, D.C.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/events/solrwalk.html
Details solar system walk in Cleveland, OH.
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ep/starreport.html
This Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics site provides current sky information about visible planets and stars. Information is updated daily.
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/sky_calendar.html
Click the Planets tab to find out what planets are currently visible, and when and where to look for them.
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/
This National Space Science Data Center site contains detailed images of the planets taken from lunar probes. It also contains fact sheets about each planet.
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html
An overview with text and images of each of the planets and moons in our solar system.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
Detailed images of star clusters beyond our solar system.
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/stars.php
This informational site for teachers provides lots of facts about stars as well as links to other star sites.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/skychart
Launch the Interactive Star Chart on this site to create star charts for your location and date. Once the star chart is showing, clicking on the “plus” hours will cause the stars and planets to move across the screen. Using the Interactive Star Chart requires registration and login, which is free.