1. Ellen Ochoa, Astronaut
What’s in the News?

2. persevere
 Buzz Aldrin had to persevere to become
an astronaut.
 If you persevere then you keep on trying
even when it is really, really hard.
 Do you have to persevere to complete
your chores, or do you just dismiss them?

4. confidence
 The Apollo 11 astronauts had confidence
when they stepped onto the moon.
 If you have confidence you believe that
you can reach your goals or do something
very well.
 Do you have plenty of confidence when
you read aloud, or do you squirm in
frustration?

6. ambitious
 An ambitious person is eager to reach a
goal.
 If you are ambitious, will you persevere
even if your job is really hard?
 Ellen showed that she was ambitious by
working hard to become an astronaut.

7. attain
 When you reach a goal, you attain it.
 Are you confident that you can attain the
goal of learning your multiplication facts?
 Ellen wanted to attain her dream of going
into space.

8. talented
A talented person has the special ability to
do something well.
 Would someone who writes music be
described as talented?

9.  Michael Phelps is a
talented swimmer.

10. apply
 When you apply for a job, you are asking
for work.
 Would you apply for a job as an
astronaut? Why or why not?

11. research
 Research involves
getting information
about a question or
topic.
 Would you like to
research a report
about space?

12. invention
 An invention is something completely new
that someone has made.
 What is one very important invention?
Why is it important?

13. hinder
 When you hinder someone, you make it
difficult or impossible for them to do
something.
 What would hinder you from joining the
circus?

14. disappointed
 You are disappointed if you are unhappy
about the way that something has turned
out.
 If your birthday party was cancelled, would
you feel disappointed?

15. Open your books to pages 114-115 and
read along silently while I read aloud.
 Why was Neil Armstrong such a talented
pilot?
 Do you look forward to when you can
apply to college?
 What did Neil Armstrong test as a
research pilot?
 Do you think that Neil Armstrong felt
confident about testing each new
invention? Explain

16. Open your books to pages 114-115 and
read along silently while I read aloud.
 Does anything ever hinder your plans?
Explain.
 Why weren’t the other astronauts
disappointed that Neil Armstrong took the
first steps on the moon?

17. Extra Vocabulary: spectacle
 Ifsomething is unusual or eye-catching, it
is a spectacle.
 Watching the space shuttle launch is quite
a spectacle!

18. Extra vocabulary: sputtered
 Ifsomething such as an engine made loud
popping noises, it sputtered.
 The rocket sputtered just before it
launched.
 Would you want to ride in a rocket that
sputtered?