Why, How, and Wow! Space
Guides by Deb – Keeping your books in the hearts of young readers and in the hands of those who care for them.
Why, How, and Wow! Space
Written by Stephanie Warren Dimmer
Illustrated by Andrew Brisman
Published by Highlights Press
ISBN-13: 978-1639623198
Synopsis: A proven kids’ Q&A format meets real-world space experts—NASA astronauts and scientists—through exclusive interviews, all brought to life with Highlights-quality storytelling and kid-powered curiosity. This is the space book kids will actually read cover to cover—and that parents, teachers, and librarians will proudly recommend. From the Moon’s craters to the farthest reaches of the universe, Why, How, and Wow! Space answers the exact questions kids are already asking — and a few they didn’t know they had. Every fact has been reviewed by experts to ensure it’s accurate, easy to understand, and exciting to read. Vivid photography and surprising details keep kids turning pages, while humor and accessible explanations make even big concepts feel approachable. Whether it’s a young space enthusiast or a curious beginner, this book sparks awe, builds knowledge, and grows with a child’s curiosity — turning everyday wonder into a lifelong love of learning.
Key Teaching Values:
The Why, How, and Wow! Space: Discussion & Project Guide demonstrates exceptional instructional coherence and pedagogical clarity, translating the book’s curiosity-driven spirit into a developmentally appropriate, standards-aligned inquiry experience for ages 7 and up.
Educator Guide Content Summary:
This educator guide is designed as a comprehensive companion resource that transforms Why, How, and Wow! Space from an engaging informational text into a full-spectrum instructional experience spanning discussion, inquiry, literacy, and reflection.
Instructional Design Overview
The guide is organized into two complementary components:
Chapter-by-Chapter Discussion Guides
My Big Space Question Inquiry Project
Together, they support both guided exploration and student-driven investigation.
Discussion Guide Component
Each chapter section:
Clearly identifies core science concepts
Frames content through sense-making questions
Reinforces learning with targeted vocabulary
Extends understanding through STEM, literacy, art, math, and outdoor connections
The discussion questions are notably strong in that they:
Require students to explain phenomena, not just recall facts
Encourage comparison, prediction, and reasoning
Prompt students to grapple with uncertainty and ongoing scientific discovery
This makes the discussion component well-suited for:
Whole-class read-alouds
Small-group exploration
Library and enrichment settings
My Big Space Question Project
The inquiry project is the guide’s instructional centerpiece and a major value-add.
Key Features:
A six-step inquiry process that mirrors real scientific workflows
Explicit modeling of prediction, investigation, evidence analysis, and explanation
Built-in reflection that reinforces metacognition and scientific identity
Flexible output options that support differentiation and creativity
Instructional Impact:
This project shifts students from consumers of information to producers of scientific explanations. It also reinforces the book’s central message: that science is ongoing, collaborative, and driven by questions—not just answers.
As an educator resource, this guide is:
Instructionally robust
Highly usable
Pedagogically intentional
Faithful to the tone and purpose of the book
It succeeds not just in supporting comprehension, but in cultivating scientific habits of mind—curiosity, reasoning, reflection, and wonder.
