The Night the Moon Fell

Why are some changes difficult? Discuss Why are some changes difficult?

Vocabulary Balance Rattle Whisper Slivers Canyons Sway Coral

steadiness, upright, footing -all have to do with standing up What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Balance Footing; even placement of weight that lets someone stand upright

clatter, clink, jangle -all are noises What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Rattle Make sharp knocking sounds as a result of being shaken.

mumble, shout, babble all are ways of talking What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Whisper Make a soft sound.

slices, chunks, chips all are pieces of something What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Slivers A small, thin piece of something that has been split off.

valleys, mountains, cliffs all are land formations What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Canyons Deep valleys with steep sides.

swing, jump, glide all are movements What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Sway Move back and forth or side to side.

seaweed, sand, shells all are things found in the ocean What vocabulary word fits in the same category?

Coral An underwater stony substance made by marine life.

Coming Soon Audio for the next 3 questions

What is an eclipse of the sun?

How does the scientist explain what really happens during an eclipse?

How does the storyteller explain what the ancient Chinese thought happened during an eclipse?

Consist of the events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Plot Theme Consist of the events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Tell’s the story’s big idea.

An old story that often explains something about nature. Myth

Before you read

Look at the pictures on pages 128 and 129 Look at the pictures on pages 128 and 129. How might things on Earth change if the moon fell from the sky?

How does the illustrator portray the moon How does the illustrator portray the moon? Do you think the illustrations fit the story?

Giving human characteristics to a non human form. Personification Giving human characteristics to a non human form.

Close your eyes as the teacher reads Describe the mental images you see in your minds when reading. Close your eyes as the teacher reads pages 130 and 131

Why doesn’t Luna answer the calls of the birds and the wind?

Describe the appearance of the night sky before and after Luna falls Describe the appearance of the night sky before and after Luna falls. If you were an illustrator, how would you make these two scenes look?

What happens to Luna in this part of the story? What does this tell you about friendship? What happens to Luna in this part of the story? pages 132 and 133

How does Luna feel as she lies on the bottom of the sea How does Luna feel as she lies on the bottom of the sea? Why does she feel this way?

What does it mean when the author says Luna saw forests of coral? What picture comes to your mind when you read the first paragraph on page 135? What does it mean when the author says Luna saw forests of coral? pages 134 and 135

Why does the underwater scene appear so different to Luna when she wakes up?

What does the roundest fish mean when it says, “High or low, there is danger?”

What picture comes to your mind when you read the last paragraph on page 136? Use your body to show what Luna does as she starts swaying to the fishes’ humming. pages 136 and 137

In your opinion, do Luna and the fish come up with a good solution for Luna’s problem?

Why do you think the author has Luna and the fish sing to each other in rhymes?

Some words, like patch on page 138, have more than one meaning Some words, like patch on page 138, have more than one meaning. To determine this word’s relevant meaning, I use context clues. Find the word scales on page 138. What two meanings can this word have? What context clues help you figure out its relevant meaning? What happens on page 138? What is the last remaining problem that Luna and her friends must solve? pages 138 and 139

Why does Luna need the help of the fish?

Phases of the Moon The revolution of the moon around Earth makes the moon appear to change shape in the sky. The changing shape of the lighted part of the moon that we see is called its phase.

What comparison do the fish use when describing how Luna looks and feels as she begins to float? How does the comparison help you visualize the scene? What reason might the fish have for accompanying Luna on her journey back to the sea? pages 140 and 141

What happens at the end of this myth? A myth tries to explain an event that happens in nature. What event or events in nature does this story try to explain? What happens at the end of this myth? What is the theme, or big idea, of this myth? pages 142 and 143

After you read

What event in the natural world does this myth explain?

It explains why the moon disappears and reappears in the night sky.

How did the title and the illustrations help you predict that this myth would be about an accidental event that happened to the moon?

The title provides a clue that the story is about the moon falling; the illustrations show the moon broken into pieces.

How can you apply the moral lesson of this story?

Possibly: how friends could help them when they are having difficulty dealing with an unexpected change in their lives.

The Night the Moon Fell

Multiple Meaning Words Homographs Multiple Meaning Words Words that can have different meanings, and they may be pronounced the same way or differently.