Image of the sun appearing to be smiling
NASA/GSFC/SDO
Mini Read,

Smiling Sun

Scientists took this photo of the sun. Is it really smiling?

By Laine Falk
From the May/June 2023 Issue
Lexile: 350L
Guided Reading Level: L
DRA Level: 20-24
Featured Skill: Key Details,
Topic: Science,
Common Core Standards
  • RI.2.1 Key details RI.2.4 Vocabulary RI.2.5 Nonfiction text features RI.2.10 Read grade-2-appropriate informational text SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade-2 texts
TEKS Standards
  • Science
    (5) Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has physical properties and those properties determine how it is described, classified, changed, and used. The student is expected to: (A) classify matter by physical properties, including relative temperature, texture, flexibility, and whether material is a solid or liquid (8) Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky. The student is expected to: (C) observe, describe, and record patterns of objects in the sky, including the appearance of the Moon.

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The happy face is made of dark areas on the sun. What are they? 

NASA/GSFC/SDO

The sun is so hot, it’s cool!

Burning Star

The sun is a star. It is burning hot!

The sun is not solid. It is made of gas and plasma. Plasma is an extra-hot gas that all stars are made from.

Cool Areas

The sun is not the same temperature in every place. The temperature can change as the gas and plasma move around. 

The dark areas are places that are cooler than the rest of the sun. That makes them not as bright. They can pop up in different places. This time, they showed up looking like a happy face! 

Seeing the Smile

You can see the dark areas only through special telescopes. You can’t see them when you just look up at the sun. (But don’t do that! It’s really bad for your eyes.)

Slideshows (1)
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Quizzes (2)
Quizzes (2)
Answer Key (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (3) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Quizzes (2)
Quizzes (2)
Answer Key (1)

More About the Article

Science Focus

Sun science

Vocabulary

gas, plasma, telescopes

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

1. BEFORE READING

Text Preview Bookmarks (5-10 minutes)

  • Our skills page has both fiction and nonfiction options for kids to cut out to help them preview the text. They can use the nonfiction bookmark for this story.

2. READ THE ARTICLE (10 minutes)

  • You can read this short article aloud together as a class, in small groups, or individually.

3. AFTER READING

 Play The Vocabulary Slideshow (5 Minutes)
  • Now that your students have read the article, they have context for understanding the new words that appeared in it. Play the vocabulary slideshow after reading to reinforce these new words. Students can hear the definitions of the words read aloud and see photos illustrating each word. They can also practice saying the words out loud.

3. AFTER READING: FOCUS ON ELA SKILLS

Assessment: Quiz (10 minutes)

  • Pass out the quiz for a quick comprehension check.
  • We offer both multiple-choice and written- answer formats for the quiz.

ELA Focus: Writing (15 minutes)

  • Using the “Postcard to Nosey” printable, students can imagine that they visited the sun. Then they can tell Nosey about it. You can email pictures of students’ postcards to nosey@ scholastic.com. She will write back!

Online: Whole Issue Scavenger Hunt (15 minutes)

  • On our website, go to the Resources section of this article. Scroll down to Activities. The scavenger hunt is there.
  • This is a self-contained group of slides that guide students on a scavenger hunt through the whole issue. It helps them make text-to-text connections.
  • It can be done independently by students at home or during class time.

Text-to-Speech