Text Set Collection 2: Space

This text set is about outer space. 

There’s No Place Like Space!

Ages 4-8

            There’s No Place Like Space is a book from the nonfiction series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. This book contains detailed and colorful drawings that illustrate and explain elements of space very well. The fun rhyme scheme and characters also make it an enjoyable story. 

Fly Guy Presents: Space by Tedd Arnold

Ages 4-8

            This is a spin off nonfiction book from the series Fly Guy. In this story, Fly Guy explores and explains outer space. I think this book would be nice for students to read independently or with a partner. The book is a similar length to other books in the series, but the pictures are nice to see up-close. 

The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen

Ages 3-10

            The Magic School Bus series has been a favorite of students and teachers for years. The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System is an informative and engaging story about Mrs. Frizzle and her class’s adventure in outer space. I also think this book would be appropriate for partner or individual reading since these books typically use features like speech bubbles to present information. 

NASA For Students

Ages 5-12

            NASA’s official website contains a portion that is designated for students. Underneath the student tab there is the option to select different grade levels. I explored grade levels K-4. There are interesting article students can read, games to play, and links students can use to find additional information.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html#.U5Un6LvLiAF

Scholastic Discover More: Night Sky

Ages 8-12

            True to Scholastic nonfiction book form, this book has awesome and beautiful pictures. Realistic and accurate pictures of our sky and surrounding spatial elements will draw students in with these images alone. This book also comes with a free digital book.

Max Goes to the Moon by Jeffrey Bennett

Ages 4-8

            Max Goes to the Moon is an entertaining fictional book about a girl, Tori, and her dog, Max, who take a trip to the moon. Along with being an enjoyable story, there is also factual information located in panels on each page. I think this book would be appropriate for a read aloud setting.

 Max Goes to Mars

Ages 4-8

            Max Goes to Mars is the second book in the series about Tori and her adventurous dog Max. Series books have been found to be motivating to students, so I would share this book as a read aloud as well.

Planets for Kids

Ages 7-10

            Planets for Kids is a website designed for younger students that provides information about elements in space. Students can read about each individual planet, stars, and moons. There are also coloring pages that students have access to. I would like for students to use this website to research on their own what elements of space they find most interesting.

http://www.planetsforkids.org/

The Poetry Zone

Ages 6-12

This website has a collection of poems about space that were written by kids. They are quite impressive. I think it would be fun for students to create their own poems and submit them to this website. A mentor text from someone of the same age may be even more motivating.

http://poetryzone.woodshed.co.uk/spacecomp.htm

Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman

Ages 3-8

            Aliens Love Underpants is a comical book about aliens loving human’s underpants. The book follows a fun rhyming scheme and lends itself well to a read aloud.