Newton and Copernicus: Lesson #13
1: Copernicus has learned to step on the lever to get food. What hasn’t he learned?
2: How did Newton know that he had to step on the lever once more?
3: What does the bubble with “chukka, rattle, poing” in it represent? What is the name of
the rat food dispenser?
4: Does Copernicus seem surprised that Newton can count? How does his body language
reinforce what he is saying?
5: Did Newton realize he could count? How would it feel to wake up one morning and know
something you didn’t know before?
A Newton and Copernicus Companion: Copyright August 2007, J.C. Olson.
Newton and Copernicus: Lesson #13
LESSON GUIDE:
Vocabulary: dispenser
Academic Vocabulary: lever
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A: Have your students read the text silently and carefully observe the background
of the drawing to look for supporting information. (V)
B: Have them read through the questions and circle the number of each question
they feel they would be able to respond to.
Pair/Share.
C: Give each student about half a minute to explain to their partner what they think
is going on based on this strip and what they have read before. (A)
D: Each pair discusses questions 1-5, then each student draws a box around the
number (or circled number) of each question they would be able to respond to.
E: Have sets of volunteers act out the dialog in front of the class. Include a third
person to do the sound effects.
F: Students individually write out their responses to questions 1-5.
Answers for 1-5
1: He hasn’t learned how many times to step on the lever to make it work.
2: Newton was counting the number times Copernicus stepped on the lever.
3: The noises the feeder makes when it releases a food pellet. Pellet Pal 5000.
4: Yes. He says, “I didn’t know you could count”. His eyes, paws and mouth have a
look of surprise.
5: No. Newton says “I didn’t know I could count”. His eyes and paws give him a
puzzled look. Student responses to waking up and knowing something new will vary,
but there should be a feeling of surprise or astonishment.
A Newton and Copernicus Companion: Copyright August 2007, J.C. Olson.