Review:
Comets, Stars, the Moon , and Mars is an out-of-this-world-book written and illustrated by Douglas Florian. It can be used in the science classroom to help with the Solar System unit. The change of Pluto's status from a planet to dwarf planet has confused and befuddled many people. Florian's clever use of rhyme and repetition help learners understand the reasoning behind the momentous decision in a short few sentences. He includes words related to Pluto such as rock, dog, planetoid, etc. Another notable poem is the rhyming shape poem A Galaxy, which is written in the shape of a spiral galaxy. Florian includes illustrations and labels of different types of galaxies found in the universe. Florian also includes the word sun in multiple languages in his illustration of the sun. In his illustrations, Florian includes the planet, the moons, comets, and more making this a visual delight for the eyes. This wonderful book is a great asset to all science classrooms.
Introduction:
Split students into two groups. Have one group read the line, "Pluto was a planet". Have the other group read the other lines of the poem.
Poem:
Pluto by Douglas Florian
Pluto was a planet.
But now it doesn't pass.
Pluto was a planet.
They say it's lacking mass.
Pluto was a planet.
Pluto was admired.
Pluto was a planet.
Till one day it got fired.
Extension:
Have students discuss their feeling about Pluto being downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet. Have students think about and discuss this question, "How do you think Pluto feels about being fired from planet status?" Students can write a journal describing their feelings, a letter to astronomers asking them to rethink their decision, or a thank you letter to astronomers for their decision.
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