LIFE IN SPACE. a short story to tell to children

Life in Space is a short story for children

1. Life in SpaceLife in Space
Guided Reading
Level 8 Lesson 1

2. How do people replicate their habitats in space?
Words to Know
Focus Question
Learning Objectives
You will learn and be able to:
1. use the reading strategy of connecting to prior
knowledge to understand an informational text.
2. analyze the author’s purpose for the text.
astronauts (n.), gravity (n.), space station (n.),
training (n.), cosmonaut (n.), missions (n.), nozzle (n.),
launched (v.), orbited (v.)

3. Warm Up
How have we learned about
all of these objects that are
not on our planet?
How do astronauts contribute to our
knowledge about outer space?
astronaut

4. Pre-Reading Words to Know
phrase
space station
a spacecraft in which
people can live for a long
time, used for scientific
experiments and
research
You’re about to begin
your first day working
on the International
Space Station.

5. Pre-Reading Words to Know
people trained to travel
and work in space
noun
astronauts
noun
cosmonaut
a Russian word for
“astronaut”
The first person in space
was cosmonaut Yuri
Gagarin, from Russia.
In 1968, U.S. astronauts on
Apollo 8 successfully
orbited the Moon.

6. Pre-Reading Words to Know
noun
gravity
noun
training
the teaching of a
specific skill or
behavior
Astronauts need
special training to
use the toilet.
The lack of gravity in
space makes it very
easy to move things.
the natural force that
tends to pull objects
toward each other

7. Pre-Reading Words to Know
noun
missions
flights of a spacecraft or
aircraft with the purpose
of completing a special
assignment
It supported three
missions before
being abandoned
in 1974.

8. Pre-Reading Words to Know
verb
launched
verb
orbited
Yuri Gagarin orbited
Earth one time and
landed safely after 108
minutes on April 12,
1961.
The Soviet Union
launched the first
space station in 1971.
revolved around
another object
used force to start
something moving

9. Pre-Reading Words to Know
noun
nozzle
a part at the end of a
hose, pipe, or tube that is
used to direct and control
a stream of liquid or gas
For liquid waste,
astronauts use a tube
with a nozzle.

10. Practice
Choose the correct answers.
1
2
3
Which word means people trained to travel and
work in space in Russian?
Aastronaut cosmonaut B aeronaut C
Which word means a part at the end
of a hose to direct the stream of
liquid?
Anozzle gravityB orbited C
Ato float
to revolve
around
B to imitate C
What does the word orbit mean?

11. The rocket with the _________________and tools used for
different experiments had been ________________ into
the space several months ago. The space shuttle
orbited Earth at a height of hundreds of miles. The
astronauts had already completed their
________________ and would return back to Earth with
the data they collected on the International
________________ .
astronauts
missions
Space Station
launched
Practice
Choose the words to fill in the blanks.

12. Reading Strategy Connect to Prior Knowledge
Engaged readers help themselves to
understand what they are reading by making a
connection between what they already know
about a topic and what they read in the book.






Before
Reading
After
Reading
Topic: Life in Space
People began exploring outer
space in the 1950s and 1960s.
Astronauts can only live in
space stations for a few days.
A space station has sleeping bags
with armholes.
Astronauts use special soap
and toothpaste to clean
themselves.When they return to Earth, astronauts
are much stronger than before.
True
Fals
e

13. Comprehension Skills Author’s Purpose
The author’s purpose is the writer’s intention in writing a
book. Three common categories of the author's
purpose are persuasion, information, and
entertainment.
Multiple Purposes
A text, especially a longer text, is often written
for multiple purposes. An author of an
informational text may add elements of
entertainment, or an author of a fictional text
may try to persuade readers to accept an
opinion.
When you read a book, looking for multiple
purposes may help you analyze the text.

14. Pre-Reading
Astronaut Alvin Drew
prepares to sleep on the ISS.
Table of Contents
Weightless Living..............…….1
The Race to Space...................5
Space Stations……………….....7
An Astronaut’s Life…………….13
Sleeping…................................15
Eating…………………………....17
Using the Toilet…………………19
Bathing and Teeth Cleaning..20
Free Time...................………….23
Exercising ...................…………24
Back to Earth……………………26

15. Set the Purpose
Life in SpaceLife in Space
As you read the
book, think about
how people
replicate their
habitats in space!

16. While Reading
Weightless Living
You wake up just as the Sun
is rising. It takes a moment to
untangle from the sleeping
bag in the small space.
Opening the door, you grab
a handle and flip yourself
over. With a gentle push, you
fly from one end of the room
to the other. Another crew
member floats by, hands you
some coffee, and says,
“Good morning,” in Russian.
You thank him and yawn,
tired because you haven’t
slept much. Your stomach

isn’t used to the lack of
gravity yet—and you’re
incredibly excited.

A space shuttle docks with the
International Space Station.
1 2

17. While Reading
You’re about to begin
your first day working on the
International Space Station.
Even simple activities are
difficult without gravity. It’s
almost as if you have to
learn them all over again.
You won’t head back to
Earth for another six months,
so you may as well get
started. 3 4

18. While Reading
The Race to Space
People began racing into
space in the 1950s and 1960s.
The first person in space was
cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin,
from Russia (then part of the
Soviet Union). He orbited
Earth one time and landed
safely after 108 minutes on
April 12, 1961. In 1968, U.S.
astronauts on Apollo 8
successfully orbited the
Moon. On July 20, 1969, the
crew of Apollo 11 stepped
onto the Moon’s surface.

Space programs created
vehicles that let people stay
in space for days or weeks.
However, scientists were
building a structure in which
people could actually live
for months or
years.

The Soyuz
spacecraft, first
created in the
1960s, are still
being used to
take people to
and from the
International
Space Station.
?
Who is the first person to
travel in space?
5 6

19. Practice
Read the following text from the sections.
Determine the author’s purpose.
1. Another crew member
floats by, hands you some
coffee, and says, “Good
morning,” in Russian.
2. On July 20, 1969, the
crew of Apollo 11 stepped
onto the Moon’s surface.
3. You won’t head back to
Earth for another six
months, so you may as well
get started.
entertainmen
t
informatio
n
persuasion

20. Space Stations
The Soviet Union launched
the first space station in 1971.
It spent 175 days in space. In
1973, the United States
launched Skylab. It
supported three missions
before being abandoned in
1974.
The Soviet Union launched
the Mir (MEER) space station
in 1986. It was the first space
station that lasted more than
a few years. Mir remained in
orbit for fifteen years—three
times longer than planned.
Scientists from many different
countries visited it.
A space shuttle
docks with Mir.
438 Days in Space
A Russian scientist
spent 438 days in space
in 1994 and 1995. During
his stay, he lived on Mir
and orbited Earth 7,075
times. His record still
stands.
While Reading
7 8

21. While Reading
Before Mir was abandoned,
work began on a new, larger
space station. The United
States, Russia, Japan,
Canada, and other countries
worked together. In 1998, the
first section of the
International Space Station
(ISS) was
launched into orbit. More
sections have been added
over the years, and more are
planned for the future. As of
2012, the ISS was as long as a
football field and weighed
almost 1 million pounds
(453,592.3 kg).

9 10

22. While Reading
Over the years, more than
two hundred people from
fifteen countries have visited
the station. Many astronauts
stay on the ISS for about
three to six months. Staying
on the space station can be
very difficult. Scientists have
found ways to make it easier
for astronauts to live in
space.
11 12

23. Practice
Why does the author include the Space Stations
section in this book?
The author wants to inform readers
about how big the space station is.
A
The author wants to inform readers about
different space stations.
B
C
The author wants to persuade readers to
be on the International Space Station.
D
The author wants to entertain readers with
the development of the space station.

24. While Reading
Astronauts go to school for
many years before they
begin training. The physical
training involves being
weightless while flying in an
airplane. Astronauts also
spend up to seven hours in a
space suit while working
underwater. They work on
models of space vehicles in
a huge pool.

An astronaut practices repairing part of
the ISS on an underwater model.
Working underwater helps prepare
them for space walks.
An Astronaut’s Life
Sick in Space
The change to being weightless can
make some people ill. Fortunately, the
ISS comes with special bags. They
have a cloth side that can be used to
clean up as well as an extra sealable
bag attached for easy disposal.
What type of training
does an astronaut go
through? 13 14

25. Astronaut Alvin Drew
prepares to sleep on the
ISS.
While Reading
Sleeping
The ISS has six small “sleep
pods” that each holds a
sleeping bag with armholes.
Each bag is tied to the wall
to keep the astronaut from
floating away. Because of
the space station’s orbit,
astronauts on board see
sixteen sunrises and sunsets
every day. Since people are
used to sleeping at night and
being awake during the day,
this can cause sleep
problems. The space station
has a “shades down” period.
During this time, it is dark and
quiet to allow the astronauts
to get the sleep they need.

15 16

26. While Reading
Eating
Astronauts eat many of the
foods most people enjoy,
such as chicken, fruits,
peanut butter, and brownies.
The ISS has no refrigerator, so
all food has to be packed so
it won’t spoil. The station
does
An astronaut has a breakfast of eggs
and sausage on a tortilla with coffee
on the ISS.
have an oven, however.
Some food can be eaten as
is. Other food, such as
spaghetti, must have water
added. Astronauts use liquid
salt and pepper. Regular salt
and pepper would float
away and damage the
space station equipment.
Once the food is prepared,
however, astronauts still have
to get used to swallowing.
Astronaut Piers Sellers said it
was like “eating while lying
on one side.”
17 18

27. While Reading
Using the Toilet

Using the bathroom
can be tricky.
Astronauts need
special training to use
the toilet. The toilets on
the ISS have two parts.
For liquid waste,
astronauts use a tube
with a nozzle. For solid
waste, astronauts must
use foot straps and
handles to stay in
place. The toilet takes
the waste from the
opening or tube to
where it is stored.
The tube hanging on
the wall is for liquid
waste. The base on
the floor is for solid
waste. The ISS has two
toilets.
19

28. Practice
Which of the following details supports the
author’s purpose to inform readers about an
astronaut’s life?
You are about to begin your first day
in space!
A
Everyone should become an astronaut.B
CYou wake up just as the Sun is rising.
D
Astronauts sleep in “sleep pods” tied to
the wall.

29. While Reading
Bathing and Teeth Cleaning

Astronauts use water and
special soap on a cloth to
wash their bodies. They
wash their hair with
shampoo that uses no
water. To clean their teeth,
they use toothpaste that
can be swallowed when
they’re finished.
Astronaut Karen Nyberg
shows how she washes
her hair on the ISS.
What is different about
bathing and teeth
cleaning in space?
20 21

30. While Reading
Free Time

Astronauts on the ISS might
play cards, read, or write,
among other things. Talking
with loved ones is also
important. Astronauts are
able to make calls and use
video chats. Sometimes
astronauts answer questions
from students all over the
world or give video tours of
the station. Many just look
out the windows or take
photos. Who can blame
them? The view is pretty
amazing.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield plays
guitar on the ISS. During his last
visit to the space station, he
even made a music video.
What kinds of things do
astronauts do in their
free time while in
space? 22 23

31. While Reading
Exercising

When people exercise on
Earth, their bones and
muscles must work against
gravity, which makes them
stronger. The lack of gravity
in space makes it very easy
to move things. Because of
this ease, astronauts’ bones
and muscles weaken over
time. Astronauts must
exercise at least two hours
every day. Even with a daily
workout, their bones and
muscles are weaker when
they return to Earth.
Astronaut Luca Parmitano
exercises on a treadmill on the
ISS.24 25

32. While Reading
Back to Earth

When astronauts return to
Earth, the work isn’t over.
After a six-month stay on
the ISS, it takes six weeks of
exercise to regain their
strength. It can take a
whole year for an astronaut’s bones to fully recover.
Astronauts have to work hard, but the time spent living
and working in space is worth it.
Scientists always keep track of the astronauts’
physical and mental health. The information they
gather has already helped astronauts live healthier and
happier lives. This information might mean the success
or failure of future space travel.
26

33. Practice
All food has to be packed
on the space station since
there is no fridge.
1
Choose three examples to show the
differences.
How is living in space different from living on
Earth?
Regular salt and pepper can
be used on the space station.
2
Astronauts on board can
see sixteen sunrises and
sunsets every day.
3
They wash their hair without
water.
4
They can go back to work
in a short time after they
back to Earth.
5
They can do whatever they
like to entertain themselves
just like on Earth.
6

34. Post-Reading
to inform readers about how hard it is to
live in space
B
Cto persuade readers to travel in space
D
to inform readers about astronauts’ lives
before, during, and after work in space
Ato inform readers about space stations
What is the author’s purpose for writing this book?

35. Post-Reading






Before
Reading
After
Reading
Topic: Life in Space
People began exploring outer
space in the 1950s and 1960s.
Astronauts can only live in
space stations for a few days.
A space station has sleeping bags
with armholes.
Astronauts use special soap
and toothpaste to clean
themselves.When they return to Earth, astronauts
are much stronger than before.
Fill out the last column with true or false. Compare
your answers with what you made before reading.
True Fals
e

36. Post-Reading
Life in Space
Space
Stations
an
astronaut’s
life
space
race
started in 1950s
and 1960s
Yuri Gagarin
on the Moon’s
surface
during
work
before
work
after
worktrainin
g
school
weightless
wear space
suit underwaterspace
vehicles
sleeping
eating
toiletbathing
teeth
cleaning
free
time
sleeping
pod
sleep
problems
liquid salt
and
pepper
packaged foods
exercise
nozzle
shampoo without water
special soap
toothpaste that
can swallowed
daily workout
weak muscles
and bones
a year to
recover
call loved ones
regain strength
mental
health
the first space
station in 1971
Skylab in 1973,
Mir,1986,
ISS,1998
over 200 people,
15 countries

37. Free Talk
1. What do you think
of living in space?
2. Why could an astronaut’s
work be described as
“challenging?”

38. Wrap Up
How do people replicate their habitats in space?
Words to Know
Focus Question
Today we learned how to：
1. use the reading strategy of connecting to prior
knowledge to understand informational text.
2. analyze the author’s purpose for the text.
astronauts (n.), gravity (n.), launched (v.),
orbited (v.), space station (n.), training (n.)
cosmonaut (n.), missions (n.), nozzle (n.)

39. GoodbyeGoodbye

40. Extension
China took its initial steps into space in 1964. It
launched an experimental biological rocket carrying
rats and mice. Since then, China has put in consistent
effort to become a world leader in space exploration.
In 2003, Shenzhou V blasted into space, carrying
China’s first man, Yang Liwei, which made
China the third country to achieve this
milestone. In 2011, the first Chinese space
lab, Tiangong 1, was launched to carry
out experiments and prepare for a more
permanent space station.
In 2019, China landed a spacecraft on the Moon's
far side. It was the first time any country had landed
on the far side of the Moon.
China’s Space Exploration
Yang Liwei