Unit 3

What Does It Mean to Explore?

Lesson 8

Reader's Notebook

Pluto No Longer A Planet

In 2006, astronomers voted to kick Pluto out of the planet club.


In this lesson, you will read a fictional interview with Ice Princess Pluto who speaks her mind about this shocking decision.

As you read this fictional interview, you will learn how writers use different approaches to capture your interest.

Beginning

The beginning captures the reader’s interest, introduces the topic, and gives the focus statement.

Middle

The middle presents each category of the topic. Each middle paragraph includes one category and strong supporting details.

Ending

The ending reminds the reader of the article’s focus and suggests the importance of the topic.

Pluto and its satellites (2005). By H. Weaver (JHU/APL), A. Stern (SwRI), and the HST Pluto Companion Search Team [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Click each coloured row for information about the activity.

Preview the selection Pluto No Longer a Planet on pages 150 and 151 from Literacy in Action.


Answer the first section of questions in the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto.




Document: Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto
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  1. Download the document Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:
      • Click the "Open with" button.
      • Select "Adobe Reader".
      • Click "OK".
      • You will then be able to view the document Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto.
      • Can't view the file? View Skill Builder: Saving Dynamic PDFs.

Now you will read Pluto No Longer a Planet on pages 150 to 151 of Literacy in Action. As you have learned previously in Unit 3, use the strategy pause and check after each section.


A Fact...

A fact is a statement that can be proven. Facts in the following statements can be verified easily.
  • My car has been driven for 23 000 km. (Check the odometer.) 
  • Halifax is in Nova Scotia. (Check reference material such as a map.)
  • My cell phone has used 580 GB of data this month. (Check computer memory.)

An Opinion...

An opinion is someone's belief, view, or way of thinking about something. Often, opinions contain words that signal personal judgment such as best, interesting, greatest, or should as in the following examples:
  • The Lego Book is the best non-fiction book ever written. ( Opinion word: "best"; cannot be proven; personal judgment) 
  • The greatest opportunity in life would be to explore the Titanic. ( Opinion word: "greatest"; cannot be proven; personal judgment) 
  • You should climb Mount Everest. ( Opinion word "should"; personal judgment)
Are you able to distinguish between what is fact and what is fiction in this interview? Use the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto to:

  • Identify whether each of Ice Princess' answers are fact or fiction (or a combination of).
  • List two words or phrases that the author used to provide clues to Pluto's personality.

Answer the second section of questions in the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto.

Watch

Remove Ads from Course Videos

Your next task is to watch a video.


Sometimes, an advertisement will pop onto the screen after you click the video play button. To remove the ad, click the X (usually in the top right corner of the ad).

Astronaut Chris Hadfield on Pluto, Music and Overcoming Fear

Watch approximately two minutes (16:00 to 18:00) of an interview with Canadian astronaut, Flight Commander Chris Hadfield.


In this segment, Commander Hadfield talks about Pluto’s features as seen from the space station during his mission.

On the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto, record whether the content of this interview is based on fact or fiction and how you know this.

Do you think humour has influenced your reaction to Pluto No Longer a Planet? Using the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto, respond to the following:


  • Explain whether you think that the author's intent was to entertain or to provide information.
  • Use evidence from the selection that supports your opinion.

Answer the third section of questions in the Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto.

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  2. Name your Reader's Notebook: Exploring Pluto in this format: jsmith_exploringpluto and save the file to your Documents folder.

Formative Assessment

  1. This worksheet is similar to homework, which is an opportunity to practise important concepts in the lesson. The worksheet is NOT for marks.
  2. However, your teacher may ask you to submit this worksheet to check on your progress so be sure to save it in your Documents folder.
Compare your responses with those in the key by clicking here.