Pushing Up the Sky
On-Level Reader
Pictures in
the Sky
Unit 3 Week 2
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE SUMMARIZE
LESSON VOCABULARY antlers,
imagined, language, narrator, overhead, poke
SUMMARY This informational text explains how ancient people named the constellations and made them a part of their culture. The information
supports and extends the lesson concept of myths and nature.
INTRODUCE THE BOOK
BUILD BACKGROUND Explain that a constellation is a group of stars that
forms a pattern. Discuss with students what they know about stars and constellations.
Ask volunteers to describe special names in their home languages for stars and constellations.
PREVIEW/USE PHOTOGRAPHS AND CAPTIONS Have students look at the photographs and read the captions. Based on this preview, ask what students expect to learn from reading this book.
TEACH/REVIEW VOCABULARY Discuss the vocabulary words with students. To reinforce word meaning, ask questions about each word, such as “What are some animals that have antlers?”
TARGET SKILL AND STRATEGY
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE Remind students that an author may write for
different purposes—to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to express feelings. Based on their previews, ask students what they think the author’s purpose was for writing
Pictures in the Sky.
SUMMARIZE Remind students that
summarizing as they read can help
them determine an author’s purpose. For example, if the author provides
many facts, the author’s purpose is probably to inform.
READ THE BOOK
Use the following questions to support comprehension.
PAGE 4 How were the patterns of constellations first determined? (Ancient astronomers imagined the patterns.)
PAGE 5 Why are different constellations only visible at certain times of the year? (The Earth’s orbit around the sun determines when we can see the
constellations.)
PAGES 9–14 In what ways did the constellations help ancient people? (The constellations explained wonders of nature; the constellations served as
calendars for the farmers.)
TALK ABOUT THE BOOK
READER RESPONSE
- Possible response: to inform readers of how and why people made up
stories about the stars
- Responses will vary.
- overhead; sentences will vary.
- Responses will vary.
RESPONSE OPTIONS
WRITING Provide additional books with information and photos of constellations. Have students choose a constellation and write their own modern myth about it.
CONTENT CONNECTIONS
SCIENCE Have students develop a Myth vs. Reality file for several constellations. Individuals or groups can choose
a constellation and develop a chart that explains the
ancient myth surrounding it and factual information about
its stars. Encourage students to illustrate the chart with
an image of the constellation.
L.R. TOC
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