Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go to space. She became an astronaut after persevering through challenges and having ambitious goals. Ochoa attained her dream of going to space by working hard and applying her talents as a physicist and engineer. She conducted research and tested new inventions to further space exploration. Her accomplishments helped inspire young students.

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?