Astronomy - Stars - Formation

Hubble, Journey Through the Orion Nebula

The Life and Death of Stars by Isaac Asimov

Discussion:
Nebulae - stellar nurseries
Formation of stars

Activity:
Draw how a star forms

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Foundation

Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty by Minfong Ho, Mou-Sien Tseng, and Jean Tseng
Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Rena Krasno and Yeng Fong Chieng

Discussion:
The Li family overthrows the Sui Dynasty
Continuation of Sui Dynasty reforms
Reopening the Silk Road

Activity:
History journal

Imperial China - Emperor Wen and the Sui Dynasty

I Once Was a Monkey: Tales Buddha Told by Jeanne M. Lee

Discussion:
Emperor Wen reunifies the north, institutes reforms
Emperor Wen conquers the South with a massive military, reunites China
Attempted invasion of Korea and the fall of the Sui Dynasty

Activity:
History journal
Map study

Astronomy - Solar System - Oort Cloud - Comets

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Impacts Jupiter + Animation Reel 1994 NASA
Halley's Comet Armada: "Comet Halley Returns-Voyager Uranaus Flyby" 1986 NASA (just the Comet section, part 1)

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia

Discussion:
Composition; Tail
Origin of comets
Shoemaker-Levy 9/Dinosaur extinction comets

Activity:
Draw a schematic of a comet

Imperial China - Southern and Northern Dynasties

The Song of Mu Lan by Jeanne M. Lee
Read-aloud: I Once Was a Monkey: Tales Buddha Told by Jeanne M. Lee

Discussion:
China gradually splits into Northern and Southern dynasties
Constant war; ethnic migration (particularly Han Chinese toward the south)
Weakening of Confucianism; rise of Buddhist and Daoist influences

Activity:
History journal

Astronomy - Solar System - Oort Cloud - Structure and Composition

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia

Discussion:
Outermost region of the solar system
Composition of the Oort Cloud

Activity:
Draw the Oort Cloud; explain distance from the Sun

Imperial China - Three Kingdoms

Three Kingdoms Timeline
Read-aloud: Ancient Chinese Legends by Yeng-Fong Chiang and Rena Krasno

Discussion:
The decline of the Han Dynasty
Shu, Wu, Wei territories
Loss of life - war, famine

Activity:
History journal
Map study - three kingdoms