Illustration of a teacher teaching class about the eclipse
Art by Liz Brizzi

The Eclipse

By Rekha S. Rajan
From the March/April 2024 Issue

Students will read a story about two friends experiencing a solar eclipse.

Lexile® measure: 540L
Vocabulary: solar eclipse, potluck, iridescent, extraordinary, shimmer, reluctantly, trudge, captivating, totality
Think and Read

As you read, ask yourself: “What is Chip’s point of view about eclipse parties at the beginning, middle, and end of the story?”

Illustration of a teacher teaching class about the eclipse

Liz Brizzi

I have a surprise!” Mrs. Rogers announces. “We’ll have a class party next month. We’ll celebrate the solar eclipse!” 

Everyone cheers.

What’s a solar eclipse?” Henry asks. I smile at Henry. He is my best friend, and we both want to be astronauts.

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon blocks the light from the sun. Outside, it will look like it’s getting dark,” Mrs. Rogers replies.

I raise my hand

Yes, Chip?” she asks.

What will we do at the party?” I ask.

The next few weeks, we’ll be learning about the eclipse and decorating the class. We’ll also have a potluck with treats.” 

I’ll bring moon cupcakes,” Henry volunteers.

I’ll bring sun cupcakes,” I add

This is going to be the best eclipse party ever!

Getting Ready

Every day is filled with solar eclipse activities. Henry and I cut out a circle and decorate it to look like the moon. Some kids are making a circle that will be the sun. Mrs. Rogers is hanging sparkly, iridescent streamers across the ceiling

One day, she calls us to the rug for a science lesson. “During the eclipse, we can’t look directly at the sun,” she says. “The rays could hurt our eyes.”

Then how will we see it?” I ask.

Everyone will get a pair of these!” she says, as she hands out glasses with dark lenses. We all try them on. The glasses make the room look like it’s nighttime

During the party, we’ll step outside to watch the eclipse. You must keep your glasses on at all times,” she says. “For now, the glasses go in your cubby.”

The bell ringsschool is over. I put my glasses in my cubby. It’s so hard not to take them home! I can’t wait for the eclipse. It’s going to be extraordinary!

Illustration of two friends hanging out and one of them is upset

Liz Brizzi

Bad News

Henry and I have a playdate after school. We play together every day. We trade Pokémon cards, play Nintendo Switch, and read about astronauts

Henry’s mom lets me in, and I run up to his room. Henry is sitting on the floor. His hands are on his head.

Are you OK?” I ask.

Henry shakes his head. “My mom just told me we’re moving.”

Moving where?” I ask, confused.

Moving out of town,” Henry sighs. “My dad got a new job. We’re leaving in two weeks!” 

I feel my heart start to thump. Henry can’t movehe’s my best friend! Suddenly, I realize the worst news of all

You’re going to miss the eclipse party!” I cry

Henry nods.

I put my arm around his shoulder. I have an aching feeling in my stomach. I don’t want to talk about the eclipse anymore. This is going to be the worst eclipse party ever.

Party Time

Is everyone ready to party?” Mrs. Rogers asks

Three weeks have passed, and it is the day of the solar eclipse party. The whole class cheers . . . except for me. I do not want to party. Henry moved away last week

The classroom is filled with decorations. The streamers shimmer across the ceiling

The moon, sun, and Earth shapes we cut out are dangling on the wall. On our desks, we have solar system confetti, moon erasers, and our solar eclipse glasses.

Chip,” Mrs. Rogers calls out, “please pass out the sun cupcakes that you made.” 

I reluctantly get up from my desk. I don’t really want to help out. I pick up the tray of lemon-flavored sun cupcakes my mom and I made. If Henry were here, we would have had sun and moon cupcakes

Yum! This is delicious!” 

Thanks, Chip!”

Everyone loves the cupcakes. But I’m not hungry at all. I leave mine on my desk

It’s time for the eclipse!” 

Mrs. Rogers says. Everyone goes outside. I slowly trudge behind them

Is something wrong, Chip?” Mrs. Rogers asks

I wish Henry were here,” 

I sigh.

You know,” she says softly, “Henry will be watching the same eclipse. No matter where you are, you’re still looking at the same moon and sun, in the same sky.”

I hadn’t thought of that

Now everything is starting to get dark. Everyone puts on their glasses. The moon moves to cover the sun.

It feels like nighttime even though it is still day. This is extraordinary. I wouldn’t want Henry to miss this. I don’t want to miss it either

I still miss Henry, but the eclipse is captivating! I can’t stop watching it. These eclipse glasses really work!

Back in the classroom, everyone packs up their bags

I look at the uneaten sun cupcake on my desk. I have a brilliant idea.

Illustration of students gathered outside to watch the eclipse

Liz Brizzi

Calling Henry

After school, I run straight to my room. I call Henry to video chat. It rings and rings and

Hi!” Henry waves on the screen

Did you see the eclipse?” I ask

Henry nods. “My new teacher gave us eclipse glasses too.”

What was your favorite part?” I ask.

Totality! When the moon completely covered the sun,” Henry replies.

I saw that too!” I add.

I have a surprise,” Henry says.

What is it?” I ask

Henry holds up a vanilla moon cupcake. “I didn’t eat it at school. I saved it to eat with you!”

Me too!” I hold up my lemon sun cupcake

We take a bite at the same time

Best eclipse party ever!” we both say with our mouths full of delicious cupcake

Illustration of two friends video chatting

Liz Brizzi

video (2)
Video
It's an Eclipse!

Watch a video to learn more about this amazing solar event.

It's an Eclipse!

Watch a video to learn more about this amazing solar event.

Video
Skill Power: Character Traits

Watch a video to learn how we can describe characters.

Skill Power: Character Traits

Watch a video to learn how we can describe characters.

Slideshows (1)
Slideshow
Vocabulary Slideshow: The Eclipse

<p>Our interactive vocabulary slideshows help unlock challenging vocabulary words and build listening-comprehension skills for all learners.</p>

Vocabulary Slideshow: The Eclipse

Our interactive vocabulary slideshows help unlock challenging vocabulary words and build listening-comprehension skills for all learners.

Activities (0) Download All Quizzes and Activities

About the Story

Social-emotional Learning Focus

Friendship

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Implementation

  • Small group; whole group; independent reading

Pairings and Text Connections

In this issue, these texts all go with the lights-out theme:

 

Bonus pairing—free Scholastic News 2 Article:

  • We've teamed up with our friends at Scholastic News 2 to offer a free nonfiction article about the solar eclipse. It's available on our website  to all Storyworks 2 subscribers. 

Before-Reading Resources

  • Text Preview Bookmarks 

(5 minutes) Students can cut out the fiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.

  • Play the Vocabulary Slideshow 

(5 minutes) Help students become familiar with vocabulary words they will see in the article. 

  • Watch the video “It’s an Eclipse!” 

(5 minutes) This fun video will give students background knowledge about the science of solar eclipses. 

Suggested Reading Focus

Comprehension, nonfiction text features (30 minutes)

  • Ask the Think and Read question to guide students as they read.
  • Stop to discuss the Pause and Think questions.

These offer a quick comprehension check.

After-Reading: Skills Practice

(15 minutes for each activity)

  • Quiz: Comprehension check (We also offer a lower-level quiz.) 
  • Word Work: Vocabulary
  • Lights-Out Chart: Use to compare and contrast the themed texts in the issue.
  • Chip’s Point of View: Use this page to help students write from Chip's point of view. 
  • What Is the Setting?: Students can write about where the story takes place and draw a picture. 
  • Story Map: Students can write about events in the story. 
  • Character Traits: Students can identify the character traits of a character in the story. Be sure to check out our Skill Power video about identifying character traits!

  • Main characters in the comic: Tate, Riley, Nora, and Jun

    Mini Graphic Novel

    Pine School Pals: Riley's Fortune

    Enjoy a mini graphic novel about conflict resolution.

  • Image of a lego man knocking down a wall made of legos

    Paired Texts

    The Lego Story/Would You Want to Be in a Lego League?

    Discover a famous toy and meet the kids who make amazing things with Legos.

  • Illustration of a kid observing how constellations turn into objects in the night sky

    Poetry Kit

    Constellations

    Read a poem about stars in the night sky.

Text-to-Speech