In this activity, students read a passage about how planets in our solar system formed and why the element iridium is so rare in Earth’s crust. They then answer questions about the information presented, testing their non-fiction reading comprehension.

Students read a passage entitled “Iridium: Calling Card from Outer Space,” which contextualizes information that is key to developing an in-depth understanding of the concepts presented in the film The Day the Mesozoic Died. The passage can be used as a prefilm activity or an extension activity after watching the film. After reading the passage and answering the analysis questions, students can also be given a reading comprehension assessment, included at the end of the “Teacher Materials.”