Space Taxi Common Core Educator Guide

COMMON CORE CLASSROOM READY GUIDE
HC 978-0-316-24319-3 PB 978-0-316-24320-9
Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight

Space Taxi: Water Planet Rescue
by Wendy Mass and Michael Brawer
HC 978-0-316-24323-0
FOCUS ON COMMON CORE STANDARDS

Many books can meet most, if not all, Common Core
Standards. However, we have found that some books
speak strongly to a few standards. These one-page
applications connect a focused text and the Common
Core Standards as written for second and third graders
leaning on the texts literary strengths.
2.RL.1 and 3.RL.1

Sticky notes and reading journals can encourage students to record their questions and notice
specific details in the text as they read. Asking questions is an important comprehension
strategy, helping students deepen their understanding and fostering discussions of stories.
As students read Space Taxi, ask them to write questions on sticky notes. Model sample
questions on an anchor chart. At the end of each chapter, ask students to stop, think, and
record their ideas on sticky notes or in their reading journals.
2.SL.1 and 3.SL.1

Sticky notes and journals also support students as they discuss their reading with peers.
These standards call for Collaborative Discussions, in pairs, small groups and as a whole class.
Students can share their questions and answers, noting others observations and deepening
their collective understanding of the stories.
2.RL.3 and 3.RL.3

As students take off reading these stories, they will need to develop a full picture of the
characters, especially Archie Morningstar, this series intrepid hero. Students can use their
reading journals to record concrete details from the text, as well as their observations on the
characters traits, motivations, and feelings. With Archie Takes Flight, focus on Archie so that
students have a clear picture of the main character and narrator. Pause after the first chapter,
Take Your Kid to Work Day, and record their observations on an anchor chart. Notice how the
illustrations can add to students mental picture of the characters.
COMMON CORE CLASSROOM READY GUIDE
2.RL.5 and 3.RL.5

Strong readers have a clear understanding of story structure. As these standards note, students
must be able to describe how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the
action. Use a plot-diagram anchor chart to help students describe the beginning of the story,
the rising action, the problem that the characters need to fix, and the final resolution. After
Archie discovers that his dads taxi actually flies into space, what is the problem he needs to
help solve? Notice how illustrations can help identify key moments in the story.
2.LS.5 and 3.LS.5

Students in second and third grade are developing their understanding of the nuances in
word meanings and the use of figurative language. How does Archies description that he is
floating in the air like a balloon (p. 43 from Archie Takes Flight) create a visual sense for readers,
showing them just how funny this scene is? Encourage students to notice descriptive language
this will help them as they start writing their own stories. Ask students to cite other examples
of figurative language from the books.
2.W.3 and 3.W.3

Students have fun writing their own stories, especially after reading outlandish stories about
taxis in space and talking cats. This standard asks students to write narratives to develop real or
imagined events. Students should be able to introduce the story, use dialogue and descriptions
of actions, use temporal words to signal the order of events, and provide a sense of closure.
Noticing how characters and plot develop in the stories they read helps students write their
own stories. Teachers might give a specific prompt related to Space Taxi, such as: Imagine
your dad took you to work, but it was nothing like what you expected. Describe what happened
that was a surprise.
Guide prepared by Mary Ann Scheuer, librarian at

Emerson Elementary in Berkeley, CA.

Space Taxi Common Core Educator Guide

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COMMON CORE CLASSROOM READY GUIDE

Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight

FOCUS ON COMMON CORE STANDARDS

2.RL.1 and 3.RL.1

2.SL.1 and 3.SL.1

2.RL.3 and 3.RL.3

COMMON CORE CLASSROOM READY GUIDE

2.RL.5 and 3.RL.5

2.LS.5 and 3.LS.5

2.W.3 and 3.W.3

Guide prepared by Mary Ann Scheuer, librarian at

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