Star Travelers is a very special book and a perfect read for teen students Grades 7-12.
Beginning with a video poem and song, this novella (short novel) may give you many opportunities to develop your philosophy for living in this world at this time, giving you confidence and a way to communicate and advocate for your rights and the rights of others including animals and the environment.
Star Travelers  is a story about two young women: one from Earth and one from the Stars who switch places in a time travel portal. You can now obtain a copy of the book on Amazon (Kindle or hardcopy.  It is a beautiful book, you will read more than once.)
This book will engage students to learn more about Human and Animal Rights, Environmental Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A Series of videos on the subject of these Rights encourage students to discuss each part of the Universal Declaration of Rights. This book will get students thinking about real issues in our world today and provide a means for discussion and debate on many levels: at school, in the home and among friends.
 Lesson Plan: As Above, So Below, Star Travelers
Soon we will be traveling in outer space, just like in the science fiction stories.
After reading this short and exciting book, the student will ask him or herself these questions:
What could life be like on other planets?
As we travel to the stars, with our rockets and space planes, could we meet people from one of those of other “Earths”?
Will we befriend people of these “other Earths” or will we treat them the way we treat each other, our ecosystems and animals?
Who will we say we are, when we travel to the stars?
What will we say we believe in, based on our actions here on Earth?
As we visit the stars, will we be treated the same way we treat others on our planet?
What kinds of human, animal and environmental rights do we have here on Earth?
How can we uphold the rights of all beings on Earth here and when we travel to the stars?
If you believe we are all alone in the universe and this is just science fiction, then ask yourself what is our responsibility to our planet if we are the only planet with ecosystems, animals and humans?
In the book, the author introduces a new way of thinking about universal rights and the kinds of rights afforded (given) to all living creatures on our planet. What is your opinion about this? Do you think it would work? Why or Why not?
For those studying the Common Core State Standards at school or in home school, the study of this book and writing essays of your opinion about it fulfills English Language Arts requirements from 7-12^th grade. This lesson helps students learn to write a Thesis, which they will need for all kinds of writing in and out of school.
In this lesson students will write social media posts routinely over extended time frames (with time for reflection and revision) for an audience of your peers.
Objective: students will produce coherent, peer appropriate social media posts, blog or journal posts using appropriate language with a clearly stated opinion (thesis).
Your posts do not have to be directly about the book but please put the link so others can do it too.
Steps:

1. Watch the video poem. Remember it is a poem, so watch it for understanding even if you need to read it/watch it several times. What is the author trying to tell you?
2. Read the book: It is 140 pages, with large type and grade-appropriate language. It is on kindle ($6) hardcopy on Amazon ($10). (For any student who wants to do the lesson but is unable to afford the book, please contact the author for a free copy, see contact info below). Please note: All proceeds from the sale of this book go to establishment of Global Kindergarten, a program to provide teaching tools to students all over the world.
3. Do some research on any one or more of the subjects discussed in the book using Internet search engines. Some subjects are: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Declaration of Animal Rights, pollution, ecosystems, time travel, space travel, extra terrestrials, bullying, war, economics, injustice, etc. You may also want to research groups and organizations that are helping the planet. Many of these are promoted on Ms Tara’s Twitter Account you can find here: www.twitter.com/expectsuccess
4. Write at least 5 posts on social media or in your journal, expressing your opinion. Make complete posts with your opinion clearly stated as a thesis. Click here to learn to write a thesis.

You may message Ms. Tara Pelton via Twitter @expectsuccess