GRADE 5
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just written by Mélina Mangal; illustrated by Luisa Uribe
AT A GLANCE Ernest Everett Just (1883–1941) changed the way scientists study living things and made significant discoveries about cell behavior. Despite hardships in his childhood and unfair racial discrimination throughout his life, his love of learning, nature, and science propelled him to study hard and go on to become a highly regarded and accomplished scientist. Author Mélina Mangal’s The Vast Wonder of the World brings to life this remarkable man and will inspire readers to value what can be learned from observing nature, sharing knowledge, and pursuing one’s personal goals.
Genre/Text Type: Biography/Picture Book
Social-Emotional Focus: Self-Management Strategy Focus: Connect Events
INTRODUCE THE BOOK What qualities do you think a scientist needs to succeed in his or her chosen field? Jot down your ideas. Circulate and call on one student at a time, encouraging that student to quickly share. Record students’ ideas on chart paper. Display the cover of the book, read the title, and explain that this book is a biography of a scientist who made important discoveries. In fact, scientists today still use his discoveries. Let’s read to find out more about Ernest Everett Just and his amazing career. DURING READING As you read the book, pause to discuss the questions below. Encourage students to turn and talk with partners or share their thinking with the whole group. pp. 2–7 The author tells us that Ernest saw the whole where others saw parts. What impact do you think this ability might have had on how Ernest Everett Just studied science? (make inferences) pp. 8–11 As a child, Ernest loved observing, or carefully watching, things in the world around him. How might this love of observing have led to Ernest’s eventual career choice? (connect events) pp. 12–15 Ernest’s mother was hardworking and accomplished. She started a school and founded a town. How did his mother’s example help Ernest keep going, even in difficult times? (connect events) pp. 16–21 The author says that a biology class at Dartmouth changed Ernest’s life. How did it change his life? How did Ernest differ from other scientists in his scientific methods? (key ideas and details) pp. 25–27 The author says that Ernest “didn’t have the freedom white scientists had,” so he moved to France to become an independent researcher. How might he have felt making this decision? What does this tell you about him? (make inferences) pp. 28–29 The author says that Ernest Everett Just opened up the wonder of the universe to all of us. For him, the detailed study of single cells was as interesting as looking at the universe all around us. How does his story inspire you? What might you learn by more carefully observing the world around you? (make connections)
Rising Voices Theme Heroes and Role Models
Note to the Teacher • Read-Aloud Tip After introducing students to Just as an adult in 1911, the book takes students back in time to learn about his childhood. Pause to be sure that students understand the shifts in time. • Language Support Building block is used on page 17 to describe the cell. Explain that this does not refer to a literal block, but to a basic unit used to create something larger. Just realized that studying a small detail would help him understand the whole. • Background Before reading aloud, preview pages 22–23 to determine if students are ready to explore this scientific concept during a read-aloud. If not, the flow of the read- aloud will not be disrupted if you skip these pages. Vocabulary authority (p. 6) knowledgeable and respected person controversial (p. 23) something people disagree with marine (p. 6) something found in or related to the sea
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