Understanding the context of 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover' | English

Starter quiz

What is the most appropriate definition of a non-fiction text?
- a person who has done something important that influenced the world
- when there are lots of texts with the same characters
- a text which presents real events, information, or knowledge ✓
Judging by their front cover, which of the following are likely considered non-fiction?
- Who are Refugees and Migrants? ✓
- Myth Atlas ✓
- The One and Only Ivan
- Swim Team
Match common non-fiction text features to their definition.
- caption
  
  ⇔
  
  a brief description accompanying an image ✓
- visual aid
  
  ⇔
  
  graphs, charts, images, or diagrams which enhance understanding ✓
- label
  
  ⇔
  
  annotates a particular element in an image ✓
- heading
  
  ⇔
  
  a title that is used to indicate the main subject of the text ✓
What is the main purpose of a non-fiction text?
- to manipulate
- to persuade
- to inform ✓
True or False? A picturebook is a form of text.
- True ✓
- False
Which of the following is written in first person perspective?
- Mars, the Red Planet, orbits the Sun.
- I roam the Martian terrain, exploring tirelessly. ✓
- My cameras capture images of rocky landscape. ✓
- Its thin atmosphere is composed mostly of carbon dioxide.
- Mars has intrigued scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries.

Exit quiz

Match the keywords to their definitions.
- non-fiction
  
  ⇔
  
  a genre of text which presents real events, information, or knowledge ✓
- context
  
  ⇔
  
  the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading ✓
- afterword
  
  ⇔
  
  a concluding section providing additional information after the text ✓
What does the acronym NASA stand for?
- Northern Aerospace and Sciences Association
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration ✓
- New Astrology and Space Advancements
Mars is the __________ planet from the sun.
- second
- third
- fourth ✓
- fifth
What is the name of the Mars Rover which this text is all about?
- 'Curiosity' ✓
Who is the author and illustrator of the text?
- 'Markus Motum' ✓
Whose perspective is the text written from?
- a NASA employee
- an astronaut
- Curiosity Rover ✓
- the planet, Mars

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The Mars rover marked a significant development in space exploration.
‘Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover’ is a narrative non-fiction book.
The text is told from the perspective of NASA’s Mars rover, ‘Curiosity’.
Exploring the context of Mars and the rover mission helps us understand the text better.
The rover set out to study Martian climate, geology and potential for life.

Common misconception

Pupils may not recognise non-fiction texts in picturebook form.

Non-fiction can take many different forms. If possible, have a range of non-fiction texts accessible in the book area or school library for children to explore and compare.

Keywords

Non-fiction - a genre of text which presents real events, information, or knowledge
Context - the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading
Nasa - stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; it oversees the Mars rover missions, advancing space exploration and scientific research
Mars - the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system, often referred to as the ‘Red Planet’ due to its appearance
Afterword - a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections after the main content