Pathfinder for Earth/Moon/Sun System
(3rd Grade Science Competency Goal 3)

Books	Keywords Phrases	Dewey Decimal Numbers	Videos/DVDs	Websites	People/Places

Branley, Franklyn Mansfield, Sunshine makes the seasons. New York : HarperCollinsPublishers, c2005.
Summary: Provides information about the sun's distance from earth, its affect on weather, and how it makes seasons. Explains how to use an orange, pencil, and flashlight to recreate the earth's rotation around the sun.
Reading Level: 3.6
Call Number 508.2 BRA

Gibbons, Gail. Stargazers. New York : Holiday House, c1992.
Summary: Explains the basic concepts of astronomy and includes a timeline of stargazing history.
Reading Level: 3.8
Call Number 520 GIB

Sweeney, Joan, Me and my place in space. New York : Dragonfly Books : 1999.
Summary: A child describes how the earth, sun, and planets are part of our solar system, which is just one small part of the universe.
Reading Level: 3.4
Call Number 520 SWE

Berger, Melvin. Do stars have points? : questions and answers about stars and planets. New York : Scholastic, c1998.
Summary: Questions and answers explore various aspects of stars and our solar system, including the sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
Reading Level: 4.8
Call Number 523 BER

Goldstein, Margaret J. The sun. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co., c2003.
Summary: An introduction to the sun and the planets that make up the solar system.
Reading Level: 3.6
Call Number 523.2 GOL

Simon, Seymour. Our solar system. New York : Morrow Junior Books, c1992.
Summary: Describes the origins, characteristics, and future of the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Call Number 523.2 SIM

Bourgeois, Paulette. The moon. Buffalo, N.Y. : Kids Can Press, c1995.
Summary: Find out more about our Moon, try experiments, read stories and make a telescope.
Reading Level: 4.9
Call Number 523.3 BOU

Fowler, Allan. So that's how the moon changes shape!. Chicago : Childrens Press, c1991.
Summary: A simple explanation of the moon and why it changes shape throughout the month.
Reading Level: 2.5
Call Number 523.3 FOW

Fowler, Allan. When you look up at the moon. Chicago : Childrens Press, c1994.
Summary: Discover what the moon is like by learning what astronauts have found there.
Reading Level: 2.3
Call Number 523.3 FOW

Gibbons, Gail. The moon book. New York : Holiday House, c1997.
Summary: Identifies the moon as our only natural satellite, describes its movement and phases, and discusses how we have observed and explored it over the years.
Reading Level: 4.8
Call Number 523.3 GIB

Goldstein, Margaret J. The moon. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co., c2003.
Summary: An introduction to the Moon, including its place in the solar system, movement in space, physical characteristics, and exploration by humans.
Reading Level: 3.2
Call Number 523.3 GOL

Graham, Ian, The best book of the moon. New York : Kingfisher, 1999.
Summary: Examines the moon, its folklore, eclipses, changing appearance, craters, mountains, exploration, and effect on the tides.
Reading Level: 5.8
Call Number 523.3 GRA

Kerrod, Robin. The moon. Minneapolis, MN : Carolrhoda Books, 2000.
Summary: Introduces the moon, its properties, formation, and exploration.
Reading Level: 5.8
Call Number 523.3 KER

Rau, Dana Meachen, Moon. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, c2003.
Summary: Describes the formation, orbit, surface features, exploration, and future study of our moon.
Reading Level: 4.3
Call Number 523.3 RAU

Simon, Seymour. The moon. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, c2003.
Summary: Presents information about the moon and explains its relationship to Earth.
Reading Level: 4.4
Call Number 523.3 SIM

Branley, Franklyn Mansfield, The sun, our nearest star. New York : HarperCollins, c2002.
Summary: Describes the sun and how it provides the light and energy which allow plant and animal life to exist on the earth.
Reading Level: 2.7
Call Number 523.7 BRA

Canizares, Susan, Sun. New York : Scholastic, c1998.
Summary: Photographs and simple text describe how the sun brings light and warmth to all living things from sunrise to sunset.
Call Number 523.7 CAN

Fowler, Allan. The sun is always shining somewhere. Chicago : Childrens Press, c1991.
Summary: Examines the sun in the context of other, more distant stars and discusses the night sky and movement of the earth.
Reading Level: 2.1
Call Number 523.7 FOW

Gibbons, Gail. Sun up, sun down. San Diego : Harcourt Brace, c1983.
Summary: Describes the characteristics of the sun and the ways in which it regulates life on earth.
Reading Level: 3.0
Call Number 523.7 GIB

Rau, Dana Meachen, Sun. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, c2003.
Summary: Describes the composition, surface features, and exploration of the sun, as well as its place in the solar system.
Reading Level: 4.5
Call Number 523.7 RAU

Simon, Seymour. The sun. New York : Morrow Junior Books, c1986.
Summary: Describes the nature of the sun, its origin, source of energy, layers, atmosphere, sunspots, and activity.
Reading Level: 4.3
Call Number 523.7 SIM

Vogt, Gregory. Sun. Mankato, Minn. : Bridgestone Books, c2000.
Summary: Discusses the rotation, interior, surface features, atmosphere, and exploration of the Sun, including solar wind and the Sun's place in the solar system.
Reading Level: 4.5
Call Number 523.7 VOG

Branley, Franklyn Mansfield, The Big Dipper. New York : HarperCollins, 1991.
Summary: Explains basic facts about the Big Dipper, including which stars make up the constellation, how its position changes in the sky, and how it points to the North Star.
Reading Level: 3.1
Call Number 523.8 BRA

Dussling, Jennifer. Stars. New York : Grosset & Dunlap, c1996.
Summary: Explains what stars are and what people have thought about them in different times and places.
Reading Level: 2.1
Call Number 523.8 DUS

Mitton, Jacqueline. Once upon a starry night : a book of constellation stories. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, c2003.
Summary: Presents facts about stars, nebulas, galaxies, and constellations and recounts the Greek myths that provided widely-known names for ten constellations, from Andromeda to Pegasus.
Reading Level: 5.0
Call Number 523.8 MIT

Rey, H. A. Find the constellations. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1982.
Summary: Describes stars and constellations throughout the year and ways of identifying them.
Reading Level: 5.8
Call Number 523.8 REY

Simon, Seymour. Stars. [Washington, D.C.] : Smithsonian ; c2006.
Summary: Discusses the stars, their composition, and characteristics, with actual photographs.
Call Number 523.8 SIM

Sipiera, Paul P. Stars. New York : Children's Press, 1997.
Summary: Explains the nature, formation, and death of stars.
Reading Level: 4.6
Call Number 523.8 SIP

Vogt, Gregory. Constellations. Mankato, Minn. : Bridgestone Books, c2003.
Summary: Describes the constellations visible in the night sky and teaches how to use constellations to find specific stars.
Reading Level: 4.2
Call Number 523.8 VOG

Birch, Robin. Earth, sun, and moon. Philadelphia : Chelsea Clubhouse, 2003.
Summary: Presents young readers general information about planet Earth, the sun, and the moon.
Reading Level: 3.6
Call Number 525 BIR

Rau, Dana Meachen, Earth. Minneapolis, MN : Compass Point Books, c2003.
Summary: Describes the earth's surface, its relationship to the moon, and its role in the solar system.
Reading Level: 4.2
Call Number 525 RAU

Simon, Seymour. Earth : our planet in space. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
Summary: Presents information about planet Earth and explores the relationship between Earth, the moon, and the sun.
Reading Level: 3.9
Call Number 525 SIM

Brimner, Larry Dane. Earth. New York : Children's Press, c1998.
Summary: Describes the planet Earth, exploring its composition, early ideas about its shape and position in the solar system, current theories about its creation, and its important relationship with the moon.
Reading Level: 4.9
Call Number 550 BRI

Branley, Franklyn Mansfield, What the moon is like. New York : HarperCollins, c2000.
Summary: Imagines sights and experiences on a moon visit.
Reading Level: 3.3
Call Number 559.9 BRA

McNulty, Faith. If you decide to go to the moon. New York : Scholastic Press, c2005.
Summary: Takes readers on a pretend journey to the moon complete with colorful illustrations of space and detailed descriptions of the moon.
Reading Level: 4.1
Call Number 629.45 MCN

Sipiera, Diane M. Project Apollo. New York : Children's Press, 1997.
Summary: Provides a history of the space project to study the moon.
Reading Level: 6.1
Call Number 629.45 SIP

Biography

Aldrin, Buzz. Reaching for the moon. New York, NY : HarperCollins Pub., c2005.
Summary: The author discusses his childhood, education, career in the Air Force, and participation in the NASA space program. He describes the experience of stepping onto the Moon and the life lessons he learned that got him to that point in time.
Reading Level: 5.1
Call Number B ALDRIN

Rau, Dana Meachen, Neil Armstrong. New York : Children's Press, c2003.
Summary: An introduction to the life of astronaut Neil Armstrong, who was the first man on the moon.
Reading Level: 2.6
Call Number B ARMSTRONG

Folklore

Bruchac, Joseph, The earth under Sky Bear's feet : Native American poems of the land. New York : Putnam & Grosset, 1998.
Summary: A collection of poems about the Big Dipper from various North American Indian cultures.
Call Number 398.2 BRU

Dayrell, Elphinstone, Why the sun and the moon live in the sky : an African folktale. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1996.
Summary: An African folktale tells how the sun and water once lived on earth as friends, but because the sun failed to build his house large enough, he and his wife, the moon, were driven into the sky when the water came to visit them.
Reading Level: 3.1
Call Number 398.2 DAY

Goble, Paul. Her seven brothers. New York : Aladdin Paperbacks, 1993.
Summary: Retells the Cheyenne legend in which a girl and her seven chosen brothers become the Big Dipper.
Reading Level: 4.3
Call Number 398.2 GOB

Goble, Paul. The lost children : the boys who were neglected. New York : Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998.
Summary: A Blackfoot Indian legend in which six orphaned brothers decide to go to the Above World where they become the constellation of the "Lost Children," or Pleiades.
Reading Level: 3.5
Call Number 398.2 GOB

McDermott, Gerald. Anansi the spider : a tale from the Ashanti. New York : Henry Holt, c1972.
Summary: In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.
Reading Level: 2.8
Call Number 398.2 MCD

Poetry

Nicholls, Judith. The sun in me : poems about the planet. Cambridge, MA : Barefoot Books, c2003.
Summary: A collection of nature poems that celebrate the beauty and fragility of the earth, by poets representing various cultures and times.
Call Number 808.81 SUN

Bruchac, Joseph, Thirteen moons on turtle's back : a Native American year of moons. New York : Philomel Books, c1992.
Summary: Celebrates the seasons of the year through poems from the legends of such Native American tribes as the Cherokee, Cree, and Sioux.
Reading Level: 4.6
Call Number 811 BRU

Knudsen, Shannon, Neil Armstrong. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, 2003.
Summary: An introduction to the life of Neil Armstrong, the first human being to walk on the moon.
Reading Level: 4.7
Call Number B ARMSTRONG

Brown, Don, One giant leap : the story of Neil Armstrong. Boston, Mass. : Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998.
Summary: Discusses the life and accomplishments of astronaut Neil Armstrong, from his childhood in Ohio to his famous moon landing.
Reading Level: 4.6
Call Number B ARMSTRONG

Fiction

Bess, Clayton. The truth about the moon. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1983.
Summary: An African child is told several stories about the moon, but he still feels he has not learned the truth.
Reading Level: 3.5
Call Number E BES

DiTerlizzi, Tony. Jimmy Zangwow's out-of-this-world, moon pie adventure. New York : Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, c2000.
Summary: When Jimmy's mother won't let him have any moon pies for a snack, he takes a trip to the moon to get some.
Reading Level: 2.9
Call Number E DIT

Greene, Carol. Shine, sun!. Chicago : Childrens Press, c1983.
Summary: As a child talks to the sun, the reader can see some of the sun's happy effects.
Reading Level: 0.4
Call Number E GRE

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten's first full moon. New York : Greenwillow Books, c2004.
Summary: When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it.
Reading Level: 2.3.
Call Number E HEN

Hunter, Anne. Possum's harvest moon. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1996.
Summary: Possum awakes one autumn evening and decides to invite his animal friends to a party to celebrate the beautiful harvest moon one last time before the long winter.
Reading Level: 2.7
Call Number E HUN

Russell, Ching Yeung, Moon festival. Honesdale, Pa. : Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Summary: This story of children celebrating the traditional Moon Festival is based on the author's memories of her childhood in China.
Reading Level: 3.2
Call Number E RUS

Rylant, Cynthia. Long Night Moon. New York : Simon, 2004.
Summary: Text and illustrations depict the varied seasonal full moons that change and assume personalities of their own throughout the year.
Reading Level: 2.4
Call Number E RYL

Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry goes to the moon. New York : Viking, 2000.
Summary: Inspired by his third-grade class's study of the moon, Harry announces that he is going there.
Reading Level: 2.9
Call Number F KLI
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Sun
Moon
Stars
Earth

523, 523.2, 523.3, 523.7, 523.8
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Hinmon, Jeffrey. All about the Moon. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, 2003.
Summary: Uses a question-and-answer format to provide information about the Moon.
Call Number DVD 523.3 ALL

Hinmon, Jeffrey. All about the Sun. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, 2003.
Summary: Uses a question-and-answer format to provide information about the Sun.
Call Number DVD 523.7 ALL

Hinmon, Jeffrey. All about stars. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, 2003.
Summary: Uses a question-and-answer format to provide information about the stars.
Call Number DVD 523.8 ALL

Moon. Wheeling, IL : Film Ideas, Inc., 2004.
Summary: Takes viewers to the surface of the moon and outlines the history of lunar exploration. Discussions include the impact of the moon on Earth's tides and calendar.
Call Number VIDEO 523.3 MOO

Sun. Wheeling, IL : Film Ideas, Inc., 2004.
Summary: Not only shows how the sun works, but also reveals how important the sun is to sustaining life on this planet.
An explanation of photosynthesis reveals how the sun gives us air and food in addition to light and warmth. Sunspots, storms and sunquakes are included in this exploration of our closest star.
Call Number VIDEO 523.7 SUN
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LearnNC’s links to the best educational websites about soil, chosen especially for NC’s third graders:
http://www.learnnc.org/students/3/topics/soil-3

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center - Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27559
919-962-1236

Museum of Life and Science Programs for Educators and Schools
433 Murray Ave.
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-5425
These folks have it all. Wonderful programs at the museum, school visits and materials to loan on almost every topic in the NC Science curriculum.

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