Content area reading is when students are reading to learn information. The last and first paragraphs summarize and rephrase the main concepts of the article. The reading level is lower than the grade level to facilitate the acquisition of new concepts. Thursday's Classroom lessons engage both sides of the brain to maximize learning. This lesson reinforces facts about Mars and teaches the value of perspective in writing.
Students use logic and simple math to answer some unusual questions.
In this activity students color a bar graph comparing the seasonal temperatures at the south pole of Earth with the south pole of Mars. It's a long way to Mars and the spaceship will be small and crowded. Students plan their expedition to the Red Planet by selecting a crew from candidates such as Stephanie Survival, Dan Determined, and Ursula Unpredictable. Students evaluate human needs in the harsh Martian environment by selecting from a list of available supplies. This activity will help students understand water issues on our own planet as well as in planning an extraterrestrial colony.