Teaching and Reading Guide

Teaching and Reading Guide

THE EARTH BOOK by Jonathan Litton The Earth Book is a beautifully illustrated, comprehensive introduction to our wondrous planet. Beginning with the big bang and the origin of our universe and ranging to the modern wonders of the world, The Earth Book takes the reader on an immersive journey around our planet and beyond. Young minds will love learning amazing facts about our vast solar system, erupting volcanoes, incredible animals and their habitats, and the world s most famous people. Format: HARDBACK / ISBN: 9781848575240 / Size: 320 x 260mm / Price: 19.99

Activity 1: Third Rock from the Sun National Curriculum Link: Science: Earth and Space Learning Objective: We are learning to describe the Earths, and other planets movement in relation to the Sun and our solar system. Read How the Earth was Formed and Third Rock from the Sun to the class from The Earth Book. It would be really beneficial to have the pages on the interactive whiteboard so that all the children can see the beautiful illustrations. Next, watch the clips from BBC bitesize KS2 What is the Solar System? Discuss this with the children. Explain to the children that the Sun is actually a huge ball of burning gas. Next, take the children outside to demonstrate the solar system and its rotations. You will need 12 balls, one really big ball to represent the Sun, another quite large one to represent Jupiter and three medium-sized balls to represent Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The other seven can be small balls. You will also need card and a marker pen to make labels for the planets. These labels will be hung around the children s necks with string. Next, choose 12 children to be the Sun and planets. Begin with the Sun and choose a child to hold the enormous ball. Explain how the Sun was formed, referring to The Earth Book. Explain how big it is and how hot (432,288mi/ 695,700km in diameter and is 5,600 C/10,000 F). Remember to tell the children that they must never look directly at the Sun, as it will damage their eyes. Ask one child to write The Sun on a label, and then put it around his or her neck. Next put the rest of the planets in the right order from the Sun, asking children to hold the balls to create a human Solar System. Give a fact or two about each planet as you go. Once the children are in position you can have them slowly rotate around the Sun. Remember to take photos for your display!

Activity 1: Third Rock from the Sun Group Activity: Create a Solar System Mobile Give the children the materials they will need to make their own paper mache solar system old newspaper, PVA glue and a coat hanger. The children are to mould spheres to represent the Sun and the rest of the planets onto the bottom part of their coat hanger. Remind the children to be mindful of the sizes of the Sun and the planets and their correct order when making their paper mache spheres. They can refer to the brilliant diagrams in The Earth Book for support with this. Resources 12 balls of different sizes Labels on string and a marker pen Newspaper PVA glue Paint 30 wire coat hangers

Activity 2: Hot Stuff! National Curriculum Link: Science: Properties and changes of materials. Learning Objective: We are learning about volcanoes Watch a clip of a volcano erupting on YouTube. When it s finished ask the children if they know what they just watched. Explain that they re going to be learning about volcanoes. Read the children Earthquakes and Volcanoes from The Earth Book. Talk the children through each part pointing at the beautiful illustrations as you explain about volcanoes and where they come from. Next, watch the BBC bitesize clip The Structure of Earth and Volcanoes and their Gases. Discuss these and answer any questions the children may have. Then, explain that the children are going to make their own volcanoes.

Activity 2: Hot Stuff! Paired Activity: Put the children in mixed ability pairs. Each pair of children will need: a medium-sized ball of air-drying clay, paint, two small plastic bottles, a funnel, vinegar, red food colouring, baking soda and a plate. Show how to make the volcano in steps. This activity will take two days. First, put three teaspoons of baking soda into one of the bottles. Next, mould the clay around the bottle in a volcano shape; encourage the children to add texture to the clay to represent the texture of the rock around the volcano. Make sure the top of the bottle is left open. Set the volcanoes aside and leave them to dry (this usually takes 24 hours). When the volcanoes are dry they can be painted. Once the paint is dry the children can take the second plastic bottle and fill it half way with the vinegar. They should then add three drops of red food colouring into the vinegar. Finally, the children can carefully pour the vinegar into the volcano bottle, stand back, and watch the eruption and lava flow! These fantastic volcanoes can be put around your Wonderful World display. Resources The Earth Book 30 small plastic bottles Air-drying clay Paint Red food colouring Baking soda Vinegar

Activity 3: It s a Wonderful World National Curriculum Link: Geography: Locational Knowledge. Locate the world s countries using maps. Focusing on key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities. Learning Objective: We are learning to name continents, countries and major cities using a world map. Begin by watching the Human Planet trailer from BBC on YouTube. Once it has finished ask the children what they thought about it. Next, explain that they will be learning about our world. They are going to learn to name continents, countries, geographical features and major cities around the world. Show the children the page Countries and Continents in The Earth Book. It would be beneficial to have it on the interactive whiteboard so all the children can see it. Next, discuss the continents of the world and ask the children what they know already. Discuss location of countries in relation to the equator and what that means for the country s climate. Point out the great facts on the map too. The children will love looking at this map and will be amazed by the facts and figures. Next, draw the children s attention to the Super City page. Read all about the cities with the children. Ask them if they have ever visited any of these countries or if they have family from these places.

Activity 3: It s a Wonderful World Individual Activity: 3D World Map Explain that the children will be making their own 3D world maps. Show them the blank outline of the world map found in this pack. It should be copied on to A3. Explain that the children need to name the continents and countries and colour in land and sea. Next explain how the children are going to make the map 3D the children should draw major landmarks, buildings etc. on white card and then simply fold the bottom of the card to form a little platform. After this they should put some glue on the platform and stick it on the right place on their map. For example, the children could draw the Eiffel Tower and stick it where Paris is. They should try to name and draw buildings or landmarks for all cities mentioned on the Super Cities page in The Earth Book. Once completed, these can be displayed in your Wonderful World display. Resources Blank outline of world map Colouring pencils or felt tips White card Glue sticks