Sing the Planets

by Bonnie Ferrante

Here is an active way to learn the order of the planets and have fun doing it. Children learn quicker and retain information longer, the more different learning styles are involved. This book uses music, rhyme, singing, pictures and movement to help students learn the order of the planets, the meanings of their names, their position, and their classification. The detailed illustrations demonstrate the movements accompanying the song which is roughly to the tune of Alouette. The particular notes are included with each movement as well as a full piece of music at the end of the book. When teaching elementary school for thirty-three years, Bonnie Ferrante used this strategy effectively with several classes. Whether your child is learning about the planets for personal interest or for school, this book will provide the key facts and an successful method for learning them.

Hear the tune and watch the movements on the author's Youtube site.
https://youtu.be/mRpRcEd91Zc

Genres: Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2015

About the author

Bonnie Ferrante is a hybrid writer (publishing traditionally and self-publishing). She was a grade school teacher for thirty-three years, ten as teacher-librarian. She has received three OAC grants for her writing. She has recently entered the field of self-publishing and is greatly enjoying illustrating her own picture books although this becomes more difficult as her Parkinson's Disease progresses.
Bonnie also has a Youtube site.
"Welcome parents, teachers, and kids to my safe youtube site. Kids can listen to a book being read or a story being told, learn about words and numbers, and sing along. Adults can watch a book trailer and find new ways to teach your children using inexpensive materials, active learning, and the outdoors."

Reviews

[Missus B's Picture Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remembering the names, positions and order of the planets can be tricky but with this book & song, children can easily absorb this information in a fun way. Each page introduces a planet with photographs (some from NASA) , factual information, mythology, an action image & musical notes.

More details and photographs on my blogpost here:
https://missusbspicturebookreviews.bl...

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different and innovative approach to introduce the planets of our solar system to children. Wish I had this book when I was teaching the solar system to third grade students. This author combines beautiful photos of the planets with multicultural drawings of children. Instead of simply presenting information, readers are provided with a story about the mythological background behind the name of each planet. The author distinguishes between the inner and outer planets and explains the features which make them different. Each planet is assigned different notes and a musical song that can be sung to the tune of “Alouette.” Drawings indicate a unique movement associated with each planet like hugging yourself, flapping arms like wings or spinning around. Children can feel themselves moving in space as the planets do. The information is up to date; Pluto is no longer classified a planet. Some children remember better with a word rhyme so Ms. Ferrante suggests the sentence, My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Noodles as a mnemonic to remember the planetary names. At the end of the book, a glossary redefines and elaborates on all scientific terminology mentioned in the text.

Such a wealth of knowledge packed into 35 pages. Younger children will enjoy looking at the photos and performing the gestures. Older students will expand their knowledge base of the solar system.
A child will be able to use this book over and over again for a number of years. Recommended for children ages five and up. Also a great family or classroom group activity!

[Bette Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'M SINGING ITS PRAISES!
Song, hand and body movements, mnemonics and more—Sing the Planets: An “I’ll That” Book by Bonnie Ferrante is sure to be a hit in the classroom and at home. This gem of a book is perfect for reaching readers and listeners of diverse learning styles. Ferrante not only includes the sheet music for the song, she has also produced a YouTube video (you’ll find its web link in the book), making it easy for teachers and parents to get the kids singing and swinging, enthusiastically performing hand and body movements to the tune. Sing the Planets not only includes information on the eight planets (explain that Pluto no longer among them), it presents information about the entire solar system and includes mythological details about the origins of the naming of the planets. The illustrations include photos taken by NASA and other space agencies. Ferrante not only makes learning about the planets easy to remember—she makes it memorable! I highly recommend Sing the Planets to elementary teachers, librarians and to parents as well. ~ Bette A. Stevens, author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA and other books for children and adults

[Jack Thompsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us still remember the songs or verses we learned for learning the colors of the rainbow or the months of the year, or the number of days in each month. This book is a fun way for kids to learn the names of the planets by way of a song. At the beginning of the book is a link to a YouTube video where you can learn the song tune and the movements to the first verse. It is helpful to watch this upfront and then to read the book with your child, while learning the song together. The fun hand movements for the whole song are clearly explained in the book by way of images and are easy to follow. There is also a page of information on each of the planets with images as well as some other interesting information on the inner and outer planets. As an adult I even learned some new stuff! Children learn best by incorporating different learning styles and this book includes reading, listening, visual, movements and singing. Kids will never forget the planet names after this. Recommended for all young children learning about the planets at school or at home.

[Joe Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through songs, this book offers a creative and fun method of learning about the planets in our solar system. It's designed for children, and is to be used in tandem with the author's youtube channel. The information is laid out in a very logical, straightforward manner. The readers will not only learn about scientific facts about our solar system, but also the meaning behind the planets' names.

For kids who are really interested in astronomy, this book offers mainly general information (which makes sense given that the information is set to song). Be warned: Those of us who are still disappointed about Pluto no longer being classified as a planet will be reminded of that painful fact!

Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.