Grade: Grade 4 Subject: English Language Arts Created by: Kayla Gehringer Lesson Length: 45 minutes Keywords/Tags: astronaut, space station, sleep, hard work Lesson Description: The lesson below is based on the reading selection "The Astronaut's Diary." Students should read the passage and be able to answer questions and write responses based on their reading.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
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.W.4.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b: Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
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
"We were exhausted from all the work. We slept in shifts. One of us had to be awake all the time."
A. Refreshed
B. Overly tired *
C. Sore
D. Lightheaded
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "exhausted" properly?
A. We ate all of our food and exhausted our resources.
B. We drove so far that we exhausted our gas tank and had to stop for more.
C. We stayed up all night writing our paper for class and were exhausted for school the next day. *
D. Mom said that we talked so much, she was surprised we didn't exhaust what was left in our little voice boxes.
Word/Phrase: challenging | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2
"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." What does the word "challenging" mean in this sentence?
A. To test one's ability *
B. Intriguing
C. Fun
D. Restful
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "challenging" correctly?
A. The knight decided that challenging the dragon to a duel was the only way to save the princess.
B. The student thought his answer was correct despite the teacher saying it was wrong. The student thought challenging the teacher's answer after class would clear up some confusion.
C. The new jam jar was very challenging to open but after tapping the lid with a spoon, I finally got it opened. *
D. The presidential candidates would be challenging each other's policies Thursday night during the debate.
Word/Phrase: ship | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3
\"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\" What does the word \"ship\" mean in this sentence?
A. A pirate ship
B. Schedule
C. Relationship
D. A space ship *
Which one of the sentences below use the word \"ship\" correctly?
A. From the windows of our ship, earth looked so small. *
B. Our ship was the grandest the world had ever known. It could sail the ocean for months on end.
C. In order to ship my package to grandma\'s house, I had to use two week\'s worth of allowance money.
D. The pirates had taken over the ship and they were there for the gold.
Word/Phrase: space station | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4
"The six astronauts on the space station were happy to see us." What does the word "space station" mean?
A. A place to play when you don't have enough room in your house
B. A structure in space for astronauts to work *
C. A store for purchasing desks and work supplies
D. A fun, new galaxy themed restaurant
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "space station" correctly?
A. On the space station, astronauts can refuel their equipment and make repairs. *
B. I didn't have enough room at my desk so I went to the space station to create more.
C. Retired astronauts love going to the space station for parties and other occasions.
D. At the space station, my friends and I love to play the alien video game.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4,
Task 2: Discussion Activity
(30 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
What do we know about sleep?
What do we know about sleeping when you're an astronaut? Use examples from the text to tell us what you know about sleep.
Sent on: Oct 8, 2016 by: Kayla Gehringer
0
Astronaut challenges
From the text, tell us what you know about the challenges astronauts face.
Sent on: Oct 8, 2016 by: Kayla Gehringer
0
Collaboration
Explain what it means to be on a collaborative team according to this astronaut.
Sent on: Oct 8, 2016 by: Kayla Gehringer
0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b,
Task 3: Writing Activity
(30 points)
Instructions: You are to write and post here 500 words essay on why "The Astronaut's Diary" is an appropriate title for this selection. Use details from the text to support your answer. Make sure to provide specific examples.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b,
