Lesson Plan - This Rock Is From Mars!

Watch the Video
Play the video “Newsie’s Challenge: Exploring Our Solar System” and challenge students to answer the game show-style questions.

Preview Word to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Word to Know.

• auction

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them identify reasons why the meteorite is considered valuable.

1. What might be another good title for the article? Explain.
Sample response: Another good title for the article is “A Space Rock Surprise” because the article is about a special meteorite, or space rock. The meteorite is surprising because it is the largest one ever found from Mars and because it just sold for $5 million. 
^{(RI.3.2 Main Idea and Key Details)}

2. Where does Julia Cartwright say the meteorite should be kept? Why?
Julia Cartwright says she hopes the meteorite will be placed in a museum. She explains, “It would be great for people to be able to visit it, and for scientists to study it.” 
^{(RI.3.1 Text Evidence)}

3. Share two facts you can learn from the images that appear with the article.
Sample response: One fact you can learn from the images and captions is that the Mars meteorite is bigger than an adult’s hand. Another fact is that Mars is one of Earth’s closest neighbors in the solar system. 
^{(RI.3.7 Text Features)}

FEATURED SKILL: Reading a Diagram
Distribute the skill builder “Space Rocks” and use the diagram to discuss the differences between asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites. Have students work with a partner to answer the questions. 
^{(RI.3.7 Text Features)}