My name is Chip. This is my best friend, Henry.
We both love outer space. We want to be astronauts.
PAUSE AND THINK: What did Miss Bell tell the class?
Art by Kiersten Eagan
Two Friends, One Sky
By Rekha Rajan
From the March/April 2024 Issue
Learning Objective: Children will discuss how friendships can change and adapt.
We are even in the same class.
One day, our teacher had good news.
“We are having a party,”
Miss Bell said. “Our class will celebrate the solar eclipse.”
All the kids cheered!
Miss Bell said the eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun. The sun looks dark.
She said that we have to wear special glasses to watch the eclipse. So cool!
Everyone was going to bring treats for the party!
For weeks, we got the classroom ready. We were all excited for the party!
“Chip, what will you bring?” Henry asked.
“I will bring sun cupcakes,” I said.
“I will bring moon cupcakes,” Henry said.
We did a high five!
Later I went to Henry’s house. He looked upset.
He had the worst news.
“We are moving,” he said. “My dad got a new job far away.”
“At least you will be here for the party,” I said.
“No,” he said. “We are moving next week.”
Here is what happened at the party. I missed Henry. I did not even want my cupcake.
We went outside to watch the eclipse. We wore the special glasses. It was cool. But my best friend was not there to see it.
After, Miss Bell put her hand on my shoulder.
“Did you know that people far away saw the eclipse too?” she asked.
That made me think. Maybe Henry saw it.
After school, I ran home to call Henry.
“Did you watch the eclipse?” I asked.
“Yup,” he said. “And I saved my cupcake to eat with you!”
“I still have my cupcake too!” I cheered.
We ate our cupcakes together. It was the best eclipse party ever.
video
(1)
Activities
(2)
Skills Activities
Answer Key
(1)
About the Story
English Language Arts Focus
Sequencing, problem and solution, Characters’ emotions
Social and Life Skills Focus
Relationship skills; emotions
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Implementation
Whole Group; Small Group
Pairings and Text Connections
- Suggested books: Eclipse by Andy Rash; Moon! by Stacy McAnulty; Sun! by Stacy McAnulty.
Before-Reading Resources
- Video: It’s an Eclipse (7 minutes) Use this video to provide background knowledge on eclipses.
Bonus Digital Paired Text From Scholastic News!
- Go to the Storyworks 1 website, and click the resources tab for this story. You’ll get FREE online access to a nonfiction article about the solar eclipse from our friends at Scholastic News 1. It’s perfect for building background knowledge and free for all Storyworks 1 subscribers.
Suggested Reading Focus
Characters’ emotions (20 minutes)
- Before reading, show the video to build background knowledge on what a solar eclipse is.
- Preview the pictures on the first two pages, and read the first page together. Ask the students to describe Chip and Henry’s friendship. How do the students imagine Chip and Henry like to play together? What makes their friendship fun?
- Read the story out loud while students follow along in their magazines, or have students take turns reading a sentence or page at a time. Model summarizing the section and asking comprehension questions at each Pause and Think.
- Finally, discuss the ending of this story. What problem did Chip and Henry encounter in their friendship? How did they find a way to stay connected even after Henry moved away? How did Chip and Henry feel at different points in the story? How do students imagine Henry and Chip will continue to be friends?
After-Reading Skills Practice
- Skills: Sequencing/characters’ emotions (15 minutes)
Extension Writing Activity
Skills: Writing (15 minutes)
- Have students work in pairs to write letters between Chip and Henry. What kinds of questions would they ask each other? What would be fun things to talk about or try to do together from a distance?
Text-to-Speech