Astronomy - Solar System - Dwarf Planets - The Kuiper Belt

The Dwarf Planets
The Kuiper Belt - Scanning the Skies: The Discovery Telescope

Far-Out Guide to the Icy Dwarf Planets by Mary Kay Carson

Discussion:
The Kuiper Belt
Other dwarf planets besides Pluto
Similarities to Pluto

Activity:
Draw relative sizes of dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt

Imperial China - Han Dynasty - Art and Literature

The Han Dynasty by Sheila Wyborny
Read-aloud: Ancient Chinese Legends by Yeng-Fong Chiang and Rena Krasno

Discussion:
Materials used in art - bronze, paper (after 100 CE), pottery
Poetry and historical literature
Themes - royalty, peasant life, clothing, buildings

Activity:
History journal
Picture study: Han Dynasty Art

Astronomy - Solar System - Dwarf Planets - Pluto

Pluto: A Dwarf Planet by Ralph Winrich and Thomas K. Adamson

Discussion:
Why Pluto is not a planet
Composition and moons
Orbit and Time

Activity:
Draw diagrams of Pluto's composition and orbit

Astronomy - Solar System - Neptune - Orbit and Moons

Neptune by Isaac Asimov

Discussion:
Time on Neptune - years, days
Orbit
Major moons - composition and activity

Activity:
Draw Neptune's orbit, and Triton

Imperial China - Han Dynasty - Government and Law Review

The Han Dynasty by Sheila Wyborny
Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Yeng Fong Chiang and Rena Krasno

Discussion:
Confucianism - basis of Han law
Structure of the government hierarchy; entering civil service
The armed forces - weapons

Activity:
History journal
Picture study

Astronomy - Solar System - Neptune - Composition and Rings

Neptune by Isaac Asimov

Discussion:
Inside Neptune
Atmosphere and storms
Neptune's rings

Activity:
Draw a schematic of Neptune's structure, with rings

Imperial China - Han Dynasty - Social Structures Review

The Han Dynasty by Sheila Wyborny
Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Yeng Fong Chiang and Rena Krasno

Discussion:
Confucianism - basis of Han law and Chinese cultural traditions
Influences from Buddhism and Daoism
Social norms for different levels of society

Activity:
History journal
Picture study