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A Lesson on The Astronaut's Diary Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Lesson on The Astronaut's Diary Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Carley Oliver
Lesson Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Reading, writing, astronaut
Lesson Description: Read and answer a variety of questions and discussions on "The Astronaut's Diary".
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1b: Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a: Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

The Astronaut's Diary

We were exhausted from all the work. We slept in shifts. One of us had to be awake all the time. There was so much work to do.

Finally, we got to our destination. We had reached the space station. There, we would do more work, but we would have less pressure. We had so much to do every day on our ship. Now there would be mo re people to help us. We would be on a collaborative team. We would be able to share the work.

When we moved into the space station, I felt great. There was so much more space. We would have real beds to sleep in. We would have better food. They had a garden on the space station. They grew vegetables.

The six astronauts on the space station were happy to see us. They said, “We have been waiting for you.” We were glad to see them, too. We had been worried. We heard that one of them had been sick.

We asked how she was feeling. She said she was better now. It had been a cold. We were relieved. We could stop worrying now.

That first night on the space station wa s great. We had good food. We had a good dinner. Then we were going to sleep. But one of the astronauts said, “We need to give you a job. Each person has to take turns staying awake. Here is the schedule.” So I had a shift again.

I saw I was first. I would have to stay awake tonight. I was disappointed. I felt fatigued. I had been awake and work ing for 20 hours. But I knew it was my duty. So I sighed and said, “See you in the morning.”

I became an astronaut so that I could travel in space. Now I’m here. It is hard work. It’s even more challenging than I expected.
 
     
     
 
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Exhausted | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 The author in our story says, "We were exhausted from all the work." What does the word exhausted mean?
A. Frustrated
B. Tired *
C. Angry
D. Hungry
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "exhausted" correctly?
A. My exhausted sister ran 5 miles yesterday.
B. I named by new pet bird exhausted.
C. I was exhausted after soccer practice today. *
D. The rain was hitting the window exhaustedly.
Word/Phrase: Pressure | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The author says, "There, we would do more work, but we would have less pressure." What does the word "pressure" mean in this sentence?
A. Grief
B. Work
C. Force
D. Intimidation *
Which sentence below correctly uses the word "pressure"?
A. There was a lot of pressure on me to finish this project on time. *
B. The pressure in the air was really uncomfortable.
C. My friend put pressure on my arm when something scared him.
D. I grabbed the pressure cooker for my dad from the garage when he asked where it was.
Word/Phrase: Space | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 In our story, the author says, "I became an astronaut so I could travel in space." What does the word "space" mean in this sentence?
A. Area which Is free and unoccupied *
B. Cluttered area
C. A place where a lot of people are
D. A large object
Which sentence below uses the word "space" correctly?
A. My spacey sister is blonde.
B. What kind of space did you order?
C. My new bedroom has a lot of space for my toys. *
D. Is there enough room for a space cat, Mom?
Word/Phrase: Duty | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4 The author in our story says, "But I knew it was my duty." What does the word "duty" in this sentence mean?
A. Pleasure
B. Responsibility *
C. Friend
D. Creation
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "duty" correctly?
A. I had to clean up duty from outside.
B. A duty made my parents stay home tonight.
C. It is my duty to do my homework on time. *
D. I don't like using duties to clean my room.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (25 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
  Topic Title Replies
Message Why was the astronaut disappointed?
In the story, the astronaut said "I was disappointed. I felt fatigued." Explain why he was dissapointed. 
Sent on: Jun 25, 2021 by: Carley Oliver		 0
Message Was the narrator regretful of becoming an astronaut?
After reading the story, interpret whether the astronaut was regretful of his career choice or not and why.
Sent on: Jun 25, 2021 by: Carley Oliver		 0
Message Why were the astronauts worried?
In the story, the author says "We could stop worrying now." Why were they worrying, and why could they stop? 
Sent on: Jun 25, 2021 by: Carley Oliver		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1b,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (35 points)
Instructions: You are to write and post here 2 paragraphs reflecting on why the astronaut from our story was exhasted. Then give an example of something you may become exhasted by. 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2,
 
     

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