Characters
Choose the character you will play.
BONUS ARTICLE! Click here to read a FREE pairing from SuperSTEM magazine to learn more about eclipses and how people’s ideas about them have changed over time.
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Play,
The Eclipse Party Disaster
Will the Science Club's new member ruin the big day?
By Spencer Kayden
From the March/April 2024 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will study text features to gain a richer understanding of a play about a total solar eclipse.
Complexity Factors
Featured Skill:
Text Features,
Other Key Skills: vocabulary, character’s motivation, main idea and supporting details, plot, inference, problem and solution, key details, connecting to the text, explanatory writing
Standards
Narrators 1, 2, 3 (N1, N2, N3)
Sophie, Sam’s friend
Sam, an 8-year-old kid
Emilio, Sam’s friend
Prisha, a new kid
Mr. Perez, a science teacher
All Students, to be read by a group
Dr. Morgan, a scientist and Sam’s mom
Scene 1
A school near Dallas, Texas, 10 days before the eclipse
N1: Sam is running across the school yard.
N2: Sophie and Emilio catch up.
Sophie: Slow down, Sam!
Sam: I don’t want to be late for Science Club. We’re planning the big eclipse party today!
Emilio: They won’t start without you, Sam.
Sophie (laughing): Nobody loves science as much as you do!
Sam: Well, it’s a total solar eclipse. It’s not every day you see the moon completely block the sun!
N3: A new student approaches them.
Prisha: Hey, did you say Science Club? Can I come with you?
Sam (surprised): But you’re not in Science Club.
Prisha: I just moved here. I’m Prisha.
Emilio: I’m Emilio! This is Sam and Sophie.
Prisha: I tried to join Theater Club, but it was full. So I’m joining Science Club instead.
Sam: But do you even like science?
Prisha (shrugging): Not really. I just want to make new friends!
Sophie: Great! We could use your help planning our eclipse party.
Prisha: Oooh fun! Will there be dancing?
Sam (mumbling): It’s not that kind of party.
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What’s A Total Eclipse?
The moon circles Earth. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the sun. While this special event happens every year and a half, it can only be seen from certain parts of the world each time. This April, it can be seen from parts of the U.S.! The next time the path of a total solar eclipse will cross the country is in 2045.
Scene 2
Mr. Perez’s classroom, a short while later
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N1: The kids enter the science room.
N2: Prisha notices a tank in the corner with a lizard inside.
Prisha: Is that a bearded dragon?
Emilio: Yep! That’s Cosmo, our class pet.
Prisha (speaking to Cosmo): Hi, Cosmo. How are you?
N3: Prisha answers herself in a deep voice.
Prisha (as Cosmo): I’m draggin’ a bit, Prisha!
N1: The other kids start laughing.
Mr. Perez: Welcome to Science Club, Prisha! Have you heard about the total solar eclipse?
Prisha: I don’t think so?
Sam (excitedly): The moon will completely block the sun, and—
Prisha: Talk about sun block!
Sam (confused): What?
Prisha: It was a joke!
Sophie: Ha! Good one!
Sam: Anyway . . . there will be one on April 8.
Mr. Perez: We’re lucky we live in a place where we can see the sun totally disappear.
Emilio: The sky will be almost as dark as nighttime.
Prisha: Cool!
Jim McMahon/Mapman ®
The Path of the Eclipse
This map shows the path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. If you live on this path, you will be in almost complete darkness for several minutes! If you live near this path, you might be able to see the moon partially block the sun. (Be sure to use special glasses or viewers during an eclipse.)
Scene 3
Mr. Perez’s classroom, 3 days before the eclipse
N2: The kids gather around Cosmo’s tank.
Prisha: Guess what Cosmo’s favorite movie is? “The Lizard of Oz!”
All Students: Ha ha!
N3: Sam and his mom enter the classroom.
Mr. Perez: Let’s all welcome Sam’s mom, Dr. Morgan.
All Students: Hi, Dr. Morgan!
Dr. Morgan: Hi, class! I work for NASA, the U.S. space agency.
N1: Sam smiles proudly.
Sam: My mom’s here to help us make eclipse viewers for the party!
Prisha: Why do we need viewers?
Dr. Morgan: To protect your eyes.
Mr. Perez: Since we live in the path of the total solar eclipse, it’s safe to look at the sky when the sun is fully blocked.
Dr. Morgan: But before and after, it’s essential to use special glasses or viewers.
Prisha: Why?
Sophie: The sun’s rays are really bright.
Emilio: Even a sliver of the sun’s light can burn your eyes!
Prisha: Yikes!
Mr. Perez: Everyone ready?
All Students: Ready!
Dr. Morgan: Let’s start making viewers out of shoeboxes!
Scene 4
Mr. Perez’s classroom, eclipse day
N2: Eclipse day is here!
N3: Kids are gathering in Mr. Perez’s classroom.
Mr. Perez: The eclipse viewers are on the table by Cosmo’s tank.
N1: Prisha, Sam, and the others approach the folding table.
Prisha: Who says we can’t dance at an eclipse party? Watch me moonwalk.
N2: Prisha begins to glide backward as she does the moonwalk dance.
Sam: Watch out!
N3: Prisha collides with the table behind her.
N1: The eclipse viewers spill onto the floor.
N2: The table tips over and crushes them.
All Students: Oh no!
Sam: Prisha! You destroyed our eclipse viewers!
Prisha: I’m so sorry!
Sam: You’re always joking around. You don’t even care about science!
N3: Prisha’s eyes fill with tears. She runs from the room.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Viewing Parties
People in parts of the country will see the total solar eclipse this spring.
Scene 5
The school hallway, a short while later
Sam: We were going to have the best eclipse party ever . . . until Prisha came along.
Sophie: She didn’t mean to ruin the viewers.
Emilio: Yeah, it was an accident.
Sam: I know. She just doesn’t care about the eclipse. I’ve been looking forward to it forever!
Sophie: She wanted to make new friends.
Emilio: And she feels bad. She was crying.
Sam (frowning): You’re right. I shouldn’t have yelled.
Sophie: But where is she?
Sam (thinking): I have an idea. I’ll be back!
N1: Sam finds Prisha sitting behind the stage curtain in the school theater.
Sam: Prisha, I’m sorry I yelled at you. I know you didn’t mean to break the viewers.
Prisha (sadly): I wish I could have just joined Theater Club.
Sam: No, we need you in Science Club! Please come back.
Prisha: But the party is ruined. Now we can’t watch the eclipse.
Sam: Well . . . we’ll just have to make new eclipse viewers!
N2: Prisha’s face brightens.
Prisha: I have an idea of where we can find supplies!
N3: A half hour later, Sam and Prisha burst into the science room holding three shoeboxes and other materials.
Sam: We found these backstage with the theater costumes!
Emilio: But is there enough time?
Prisha: Even if we make only one or two, we can take turns watching.
Sam (smiling): Great idea. That’s what friends do.
Prisha: Let’s get to work!
Shutterstock.com (Glasses); Carrie Yuan Images/Offset (Viewing Devices)
Staying Safe
Looking at even a tiny bit of direct sunlight can burn your eyes in seconds! Luckily, scientists make special glasses you can use for an eclipse. Or you can create a viewing device like Sam and his friends did! These protect your eyes during an eclipse.
Scene 6
The soccer field, 12:20 p.m.
N1: The kids rush outside.
Sam: The eclipse is starting!
N2: The kids take turns using the viewers.
N3: Bit by bit, the sky gets darker and darker.
N1: The sun slowly disappears behind the moon.
Sam: The total eclipse is happening!
Mr. Perez: For the next four minutes, it’s safe to look at the sky.
N2: The students gaze at the sky in wonder as the moon completely covers the sun.
Sam: Hey, Prisha. What’s an astronaut’s favorite bagel?
Prisha: What?
Sam: Cinna-moon raisin!
Prisha (laughing): Good one, Sam!
Think and Write
Using details from the play and text features, write a paragraph explaining what you learned about eclipses.
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Can't Miss Teaching Extras
Continue the theme of unlikely friendships in the play “The Lion and the Mouse,” a story about how opposites can attract.
This play teaches us that making new friends can be tricky. Luckily the helpful Infographic “How to Make a New Friend” is filled with tips and tricks for meeting new people.
Sometimes first impressions aren’t always correct—Sam knows this best! Continue having this important conversation with your students through the fiction story “Susie the Soccer Star.” There’s a great skill builder about character development too.
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Table of Contents
5. Differentiate and Customize
Struggling Readers, Multilingual Learners, Advanced Readers, Creative Writing
1. Preparing to Read
Set a Purpose for Reading/Preview Text Features
- Instruct students to study the title, subtitle, and illustration on page 24. Ask them to describe the illustration and predict what the play will be about.
- Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 25 and the Think and Write box on page 29.
Introduce Vocabulary
The play includes bolded vocabulary terms in the text but does not include definitions. A Vocabulary Skill Builder online previews the vocabulary terms (essential, moonwalk, collides, brightens, and gaze). You may also show our Vocabulary Slideshow.
The play includes bolded vocabulary terms in the text but does not include definitions. A Vocabulary Skill Builder online previews the vocabulary terms (essential, moonwalk, collides, brightens, and gaze). You may also show our Vocabulary Slideshow.
2. Close Reading
Storyworks 3 plays provide a perfect opportunity for students to build fluency.
Perform the plays as a class or have students follow along as they listen to the audio Read-Aloud.
Project or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions. (Alternatively, assign all or part of the Learning Journey Slide Deck.)
Storyworks 3 plays provide a perfect opportunity for students to build fluency.
Perform the plays as a class or have students follow along as they listen to the audio Read-Aloud.
Project or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions. (Alternatively, assign all or part of the Learning Journey Slide Deck.)
Close-Reading Questions
- Read Scene 1. Why does Prisha join the Science Club? Prisha joins the Science Club because her first choice was the Theater Club and it was full. She also wants to make new friends. (character’s motivation)
- Read Scene 2. How does the text feature “What’s a Total Eclipse?” help you understand what the students will see on April 8? The text feature explains what happens during a total eclipse. It shows readers that the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and completely blocks the sun. (text feature)
- Read Scene 3. Why do the students have to make eclipse viewers for the eclipse party? It’s important to wear special viewers to look at the sky before and after the eclipse. Because the sun’s rays are so bright, even a small amount of the sun’s light can burn the students’ eyes. (main idea and supporting details)
- Read Scene 4. What happens to the eclipse viewers in Mr. Perez’s classroom? Prisha is messing around. She does a moonwalk dance and bumps into a table behind her. The eclipse viewers on the table fall onto the floor and the table tips over and crushes them. (plot)
- Read Scene 5. Why does Sam go to the school theater to find Prisha? How did he know she would be in the school theater? Sam goes to the school theater to find Prisha because he feels guilty for yelling at her and wants to apologize. He knows she didn’t mean to break the viewers and that it was an accident. Sam knew Prisha was going to be in the school theater because she wanted to join the Theater Club. (character’s motivation, inference)
- How do Sam and Prisha save the Science Club’s eclipse day party? Sam and Prisha work together to bring shoeboxes and other materials from the school theater to the science room. The students can use the materials to make new eclipse viewers to share. (problem and solution)
- Read Scene 6. What details describe how the sky looks after the eclipse begins? The sky gets darker bit by bit, and the sun slowly disappears behind the moon. The moon completely covers the sun for four minutes. (key details)
Critical-Thinking Questions
- Why does Sam tell Prisha a joke at the end of the play? When Prisha first joined Science Club, her jokes annoyed Sam because he didn’t think she was serious about science. After working together to help save the eclipse day party, Sam and Prisha became friends. Sam wants Prisha to know they can make jokes together. (inference)
- Imagine you’re planning an eclipse viewing party for your class. What would you do? Use details from the play in your answer. Answers may vary. Students should include details from the play in their response. (connecting to the text)
3. Skill Building and Writing
Featured Skill: Text Features
- Distribute or digitally assign the Text Features Skill Builder.
- Ask students to write a response to the Think and Write prompt on page 29.
Differentiate and Customize
For Striving Readers
To help striving readers understand the plot, play the audio of the play as students follow along in their magazines. Pause at the end of each scene to discuss what happened, and together write a one- or two-sentence summary.
For Multilingual Learners
Some of the words or terms related to solar eclipses may be unfamiliar to your multilingual learners. Use the text features or video clips online to explain the science behind a total solar eclipse. Encourage students to share the words for any of these words (like sun, moon, or space) in their first language.
For Advanced Readers
Have students work in small groups to create a poster explaining why it’s necessary to wear special viewers while looking at the sun during an eclipse. As a bonus, students can include ideas or steps for how to make viewers.
Text-to-Speech