ITAR-TASS Photo Agency/Granger, NYC
Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space.
He was sent by a country called the Soviet Union. The president of the United States decided to send Americans to space too.
ITAR-TASS Photo Agency/Granger, NYC
People in Space!
You are going to read about astronauts who went to space. Here are five facts to know first.
By Laine Falk
From the December 2024 / January 2025 Issue
Learning Objective: Give students background knowledge about space and astronauts before they read “Space Rescue.”
1. In 1961, a person went to space for the first time.
2. Americans started a big project to send people to space.
Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo
Mercury spacecraft, 1961
The first American went to space on May 5, 1961. Soon more Americans were going to space. Scientists studied how a spacecraft could circle Earth and what humans needed to stay alive in space. A spacecraft is a vehicle that flies in space.
3. As time went on, scientists learned more about space travel.
the first astronaut to do a spacewalk
Heritage Space/Heritage Images via Getty Images
They learned how astronauts could spend more time in space. They got better at landing spacecraft. They learned how a person could walk in space!
4. In 1969, the U.S. sent astronauts to the moon for the first time. An Adventure
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
moon walk in 1969
The astronauts brought back space rocks and soil from the moon. Scientists learned so much about the moon that way.
4. On April 11, 1970, a spacecraft blasted off for the moon.
It was called Apollo 13. Three astronauts were on board. Their trip did not go as planned. Read what happened in . . .
Activities
(4)
Skills Activities
Answer Key
(1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Implementation
- Small group; whole group; independent reading
Pairings and Text Connections
- In this issue, these texts all go with the space theme:
“People in Space!,” p. 4
“Space Rescue,” p. 6
“New Kid on Mars,” p. 14
“Life on Mars,” p. 20
- Pair this Background Builder with the Big Read, “Space Rescue.”
“People in Space!,” p. 4
“Space Rescue,” p. 6
“New Kid on Mars,” p. 14
“Life on Mars,” p. 20
Before-Reading Resources
- Text Preview Bookmarks
(10 minutes) Kids can cut out the nonfiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.
- Play the Vocabulary Slideshow
(5 minutes) Help students become familiar with the vocabulary word they will see in the article.
(10 minutes) Kids can cut out the nonfiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.
(5 minutes) Help students become familiar with the vocabulary word they will see in the article.
Suggested Reading Focus
Comprehension, nonfiction text features (30 minutes)
- This article gives students background knowledge that will help them better understand this issue’s Big Read, “Space Rescue,” on page 6.
After-Reading Skills Practice
(15 minutes for each activity)
- Quiz: Comprehension check
- Nonfiction Text Feature Hunt: Students can identify text features in the article.
After-Reading Text Comparisons
(15 minutes)
- Space Chart: Compare the themed texts in the issue.
Text-to-Speech