Space Poetry
Inspiration Book:
Out of this world : poems and facts about space by Sklansky, Amy E — Alfred A. Knopf, 2012--811; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6 A collection of poems and facts about space, accompanied by color paintings. The author does an amazing job of engaging the reader in the world of poetry while using sidebars to provide factual information. Children learn about our solar system and space exploration in an accessible way. This picture book is a brilliant example of how poetry and informational text can support each other. The illustrations allow the reader to be a part of the experience.
Rationale: You won’t find grade level lessons for this book, but you will find encouragement to use this book several ways. If you have been reading the “rationale” sections of poetry entries you know my general philosophy about poetry: use it, read it, incorporate it, but don’t over-analyse it; write all sorts of poetry, but don’t dwell on the format or rhyme, meter, etc. At the elementary and middle school level ENJOY poetry.
Buy a copy of the Inspiration Book for each of your teachers who teaches a unit about outer space. Or, buy at least two copies for the library, one for student check-out and one for teacher check-out. Another idea, buy one for each section of a grade that is in your school that teaches a unit or lesson about space. If your library budget can’t handle the extra purchases, take this message to the principal or PTO requesting funds for the books from heir discretionary funds.
This is another one of those poetry books that I have my aide make into poetry posters--either hand printed on poster board or large font reproduction on large paper. Students could decorate the hand printed posters in art class; the aide could add clip art or wallpaper backgrounds to the computer generated posters. Laminate either type of poster for storage and future use. Then, anytime a class is studying one of the space topics, display the poems around the library or in the story area.
My science teacher husband subscribes to Science and Children. This article explains and confrims my philosophy of using poetry to help teach lessons about space. Vardell, Sylvia M and Janet S. Wond. “Observe, Explain, Connect: an Interdisciplinary Lesson Using Poetry and Science Highlights the Parallels of the Disciplines while Developing Literacy.” Science and Children, April 2014, pp. 31-35.
There will be several other Books Alive entries about space. Look for those space entries. If you haven’t used the Books Alive archive index yet, please try it. You will find subject entries in the archive and specific Inspiration Books can be entered in the search box.
Related Titles:
I have recommended specific poems for specific titles in four groups. Incorporate the following Out of this World poems in lessons for the books about space listed below that were selected to be on the NSTA book lists.
“Countdown,” “ BlastOff,” “After Blastoff,” “Zero Gravity,” “Weightless Wonder,” “Space Suit,” “Packing for the Moon,” “ Moon,” “Left Behind”
My journey to the stars by Kelly, Scott — Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017. Dewey: 629.45; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.7. A picture book memoir about NASA astronaut Scott Kelly that takes readers on a journey through his childhood as an average student to his record-breaking year among the stars. NSTA 2018.
Margaret and the Moon : how Margaret Hamilton saved the first lunar landing by Robbins, Dean — Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Dewey: 629.45; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. Introduces the woman mathematician whose childhood love of numbers led to her prestigious education and contributions at NASA while explaining how her handwritten codes proved essential throughout numerous space missions. NSTA 2018.
Star stuff : Carl Sagan and the mysteries of the cosmos by Sisson, Stephanie Roth — Roaring Brook Press, 2014. Dewey: 520.92; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. A biography of Carl Sagan focusing on his childhood and culminating in the Voyager mission and the Golden Record. NSTA 2015.
Eight days gone by McReynolds, Linda — Charlesbridge, 2012--629.45; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1 Colorful illustrations and rhyming text describe the eight-day mission to the moon of "Apollo 11" in 1969. NSTA List 2013.
One giant leap by Burleigh, Robert — Philomel Books, 2009--629.45; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5 An illustrated retelling of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's lunar landing in 1969. NSTA 2010.
Home address: ISS : International Space Station by Buckley, James — Penguin Young Reader, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2015. Dewey: 629.44; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. An introduction to daily life aboard the International Space Station. NSTA 2016.
Reaching for the moon by Aldrin, Buzz — Collins, 2005--629.45; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.1
Presents an illustrated account of astronaut Buzz Aldrin's life and the determination and experiences that led him to be part of the first mission to land men on the moon. NSTA 2006.
One small step : celebrating the first men on the moon by Stone, Jerry — Flash Point, 2009--629.45; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.3 Commemorates the fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing through replicas of newspaper clippings, illustrations, photographs, stickers, mission patches, and other memorabilia. NSTA 2010. OP
Moon landing : Apollo 11 pop-up by Platt, Richard — Candlewick Press, 2008--629.45; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.0 A pop-up history of the first moon landing, describing the preparations that went into the historic event and the excitement of the expedition. NSTA 2009.
Exploring space : from Galileo to the Mars Rover and beyond by Jenkins, Martin — Candlewick Press, 2017, Dewey: 629.4; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.1. A brief history of space exploration, covering such topics as the first human missions, life on the International Space Station, and settling on Mars. NSTA 2018.
Voyager's greatest hits : the epic trek to interstellar space by Siy, Alexandra — Charlesbridge, 2017. Dewey: 523.4; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.0. A brief history and discussion of the planets and outer space objects encountered by spacecraft Voyager. NSTA 2018.
Our moon : new discoveries about Earth's closest companion by Scott, Elaine — Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. Dewey: 523.3; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.9. An illustrated guide to the newest theories on how the moon formed, the recent discovery of water on its surface and the possibility of future moon colonies. NSTA 2016.
Space! : the universe as you've never seen it before — DK/Penguin Random House, 2015. Dewey: 520; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.9. Computer-generated illustrations reveal the wonders of the universe, from the big bang and black holes to space travel. NSTA 2016.
Use these poems with the books below:
“Satellites,” “ Wish Upon a...,” “Comet,” “Twinkle,” “ Sun,” “ Black Hole,” and “Stargazing.”
Caroline's comets : a true story by McCully, Emily Arnold — Holiday House, 2017. Dewey: 520.92; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. Caroline Herschel was the first woman to discover a comet and the first woman to be paid as a scientist. NSTA 2018.
Look to the stars by Aldrin, Buzz — G.P. Putnam's, 2009--629.4; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.0
Chronicles the history of space exploration, looking at space pioneers, programs, rockets, missions, and related topics from the perspective of Buzz Aldrin, one of the few astronauts to have walked on the moon. NSTA 2010.
Beyond the solar system : exploring galaxies, black holes, alien planets, and more : a history with 21 activities (For Kids) by Carson, Mary Kay — Chicago Review Press, 2013. Dewey: 520.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.4. Looks at the history of astronomy from pre-history through the twenty-first century. NSTA 2014.
Try these with sections of the following books:
“Hungry Moon,” “Vacation Destination,” “My Place,” and “ What If!”
Welcome to Mars : making a home on the Red Planet by Aldrin, Buzz — National Geographic Society, 2015. Dewey: 523.43; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Find out what life might be like far, far from Earth as you navigate your way through this fun and fascinating book. NSTA 2016.
Life on earth-- and beyond : an astrobiologist's quest by Turner, Pamela S — Charlesbridge, 2008--571; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.0 Examines astrobiologist Dr. Chris McKay's efforts to prove that life does exist beyond Earth, with behind-the-scenes photographs capturing McKay and his research team at work studying microbes that live beyond all odds and trying to determine if they can thrive in space. NSTA List 2009
The mighty Mars rovers : the incredible adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Rusch, Elizabeth — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012--523.43; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.4
The story of the two robot vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, that were sent to explore Mars, lasting far past their projected lives of three months and sending back invaluable images of the environmentally hostile planet. NSTA List 2013.
Cars on Mars : roving the red planet by Siy, Alexandra — Charlesbridge, c2009 p2011--919.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 8.2 Tells the story of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission and looks at what scientists have learned from the photographs and data sent by roving mechanical geologists Spirit and Opportunity since their landing on the planet. NSTA List 2010.
Try the following poems with the books about astronauts:
“Zero Gravity,” “Weightless Wonder,” “ Space Suit,” and “Packing for the Moon.”
Sally Ride : a photobiography of America's pioneering woman in space by O'Shaughnessy, Tam E — Roaring Brook Press, 2015. Dewey: 629.450092; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.1. An intimate portrait of America's first female astronaut, from her formative years to her final moments... Sally Ride opened the doors for girls and women in all fields. NSTA 2016, Social Studies 2016.
Chasing space by Melvin, Leland — Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2017. Dewey: 629.45; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.6. Former football player, astronaut, and engineer, Leland Melvin recounts his career and achieving his dream of being in space. NSTA 2018
Almost astronauts : 13 women who dared to dream by Stone, Tanya Lee — Candlewick Press, 2009--629.45; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.9 "T minus thirty-eight years" -- "I jumped at the offer" -- "Not a meaningful test!" -- "Mommy's going to the moon!" -- "It was too good to be true" -- "Regret to advise" -- "Let's stop this now!" -- "Jerrie Cobb isn't running this program. I am!" -- "The men go off and fight the wars and fly the airplanes" -- "NASA never had any intention of putting those women in space" -- "We want to see a woman driving the bus, not sitting in the back" -- "I am living proof that dreams do come true." Profiles thirteen women who challenged social norms and government policies to prove they could be exceptional astronauts. Science and Social Studies Lists 2010.
Sally Ride : life on a mission (Real-Life Story) by Macy, Sue— Aladdin, 2014. Dewey: 629.45; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.3. Looks at the life and career of Sally Ride, who in 1983 became the first American woman to travel in space. NSTA 2015.
Related Space Poetry Books:
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