Ellen Ochoa, Astronaut What’s in the News?

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

confidence The Apollo 11 astronauts had confidence when they stepped onto the moon. 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. 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? Do you have plenty of confidence when you read aloud, or do you squirm in frustration?

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

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

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

Michael Phelps is a talented swimmer. Michael Phelps is a talented swimmer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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