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LESSON MINI

Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Grade:

K-2

Topic:

People

Unit:

Historical Figures
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Overview

Astronaut floating in space station module wearing blue and beige uniform.
© NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

In this lesson mini, students learn about astronauts, and specifically the life of Mae Jemison, through an informational text. Students practice early reading skills while exploring what astronauts do and learning about this groundbreaking astronaut and scientist. They engage with the text to identify key details about the role of astronauts, Jemison’s life, her historic space flight, and her contributions to science. Through guided reading, discussions, artistic expression, and simple comprehension activities, students will develop their understanding of space exploration, Jemison, and basic informational text features. Students will demonstrate their learning through collaborative discussions, creative projects, and vocabulary development.

Ideas for Implementation
Science
Literacy
Library media
Learning centers
Intervention or enrichment
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Key Vocabulary & Definitions
astronaut (noun): a person who travels in a spacecraft into outer space
science (noun): the study of the world around us through asking questions and doing experiments
space (noun): the area far above Earth where there are stars and planets
spacecraft (noun): a vehicle used for travel in outer space
Authentic Learning Extensions
Authentic learning opportunities for studying Mae Jemison involve real-world experiences and practical applications that help students understand the importance of her achievements in a meaningful way. Here are some examples:
Scientists in Our Community: Invite local scientists or doctors to visit the classroom and share their work in kid-friendly ways. Follow up by having students draw pictures and write simple sentences about what they want to do when they grow up.
Space Discovery: Plan a visit to a local planetarium or science center. Before the trip, have students share what they wonder about space. After the trip, create a class book about what they learned.
Space Explorers: Read age-appropriate books about Mae Jemison and space exploration. Follow up with simple space-themed art projects such as paper-plate planets, foil stars, or cardboard-box space helmets. This combines literacy with hands-on creative expression.
Young Scientists: Introduce students to diverse scientists through picture books and simple videos. Have students create “scientist self-portraits” showing themselves doing science experiments. This helps students see themselves in STEM roles.

Choose Activity

Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
3
Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Activity

1:

All About Astronauts

By the end of the activity, students will be able to explain what astronauts do and identify Mae Jemison as the first Black woman to travel to space.

30-40

Minutes

Materials

Colored pencils, crayons, and/or markers
Paper (one sheet per student)
Whiteboard and display
Writing utensils

Resources

Britannica Library Astronaut article https://library.eb.com/levels/youngchildren/article/Astronaut/638181
Britannica Library Mae Jemison article https://library.eb.com/levels/youngchildren/article/Mae-Jemison/635361
Bubble Web graphic organizer
Draw It, Write It instructional strategy and graphic organizer (one per student and one for teacher display)
1
Tell students that today they will learn about space and astronauts, including Mae Jemison, by reading informational texts.
2
Explain that informational texts provide information on specific nonfiction topics. Emphasize that nonfiction texts are based on real events and information.
3
Show students examples of nonfiction and fiction texts (consider using space-themed books). Have students identify each text as nonfiction or fiction, and ask them to justify their classifications.
4
Display the Bubble Web graphic organizer, and write the word astronauts in the center. Invite students to share prior knowledge about astronauts, and scribe their ideas on the graphic organizer.
5
Display the images found in the Astronaut article. Have students describe what they see and read the captions.
6
Read the Astronaut article aloud, pausing for comprehension checks after each section by asking the following guiding questions:
What are astronauts?
What do mission specialists do?
Where do astronauts work?
What do astronauts need to study?
How are people chosen to become astronauts?
Is it easy or hard to become an astronaut? Why?
How do astronauts train?
7
After reading the article, ask students to summarize what they learned about astronauts and scribe student responses on the board.
8
Lead a total physical response activity, guiding students to act out astronaut actions:
Putting on space suits
Flying a spacecraft
Floating in space
Walking on the Moon
Studying science and math
Swimming underwater
Eating like an astronaut (Note: Guide students to infer this.)
9
Display the Mae Jemison article and its images. Have students read the image captions and describe the images.
10
Introduce Mae Jemison by explaining that she was a pioneering astronaut who went into space in 1992. Discuss how astronaut diversity has changed over time, and show images from Britannica Library, ImageQuest Jr., or another royalty-free source representing various astronauts.
11
Give each student a Draw It, Write It graphic organizer, and ask them to complete the organizer using one of the key vocabulary words included in the articles (astronaut, spacecraft, space, Moon, Mars).
12
Wrap up by first asking students to share their graphic organizers with their peers. Then invite students to practice using the vocabulary words in a sentence.
Astronaut Trivia: Offer nonreaders the option of participating in an oral astronaut trivia game. Refer to the Astronaut article and create questions to check students’ understanding. This gives them the opportunity to test their skills in a more guided and supported manner. Consider asking questions such as these:
What do you call people whose job it is to go to space?
What do astronauts need to study?
How long does astronaut training last?
What is the next planet that will be explored?
K-W-L Chart: Use a K-W-L graphic organizer instead of a bubble web as a precursor to reading the Astronaut article. This approach gives students the opportunity to reflect on their learning before, during, and after the reading.
Charades Game: Incorporate movement through a charades game rather than a total physical response activity. You may use the following phrases for students to act out: Put on a space suit / Fly a spacecraft / Float around in space / Walk on the Moon / Study science and math / Swim underwater / Eat like an astronaut.
Alternative Teaching: For collaborative teaching and learning environments, this learning activity is well suited to an Alternative Teaching strategy. In this model, one teacher instructs most of the class while the other works with a small group of students who need specialized attention or remediation. This provides targeted instruction for students who need extra help, ensuring they can keep up with their peers. It also allows for enrichment activities for advanced students, addressing diverse learning needs and ensuring that all students receive the appropriate level of challenge and support. Studies have shown that differentiated instruction significantly benefits students who have varied learning needs, leading to more equitable educational outcomes.
Activity Introduction: Both teachers introduce the idea of using informational texts to learn about space, astronauts, and the achievements of Mae Jemison.
All About Astronauts: One teacher displays the Bubble Web graphic organizer, and writes the word astronauts in the center, inviting students to share prior knowledge about astronauts. The other teacher pulls out a small group of students to complete this same task.
Article Reading and Extension: One teacher instructs most of the class while the other works with a small group of students on the Astronaut article and the guiding questions.
Total Physical Response: Both teachers ask students to act out astronaut actions.
Draw it, Write it: One teacher gives each student a Draw It, Write It graphic organizer and asks them to complete the organizer using one of the key vocabulary words included in the articles (astronaut, spacecraft, space, Moon, Mars). The other teacher does the same in a small-group setting.
Activity Wrap-Up: One teacher concludes by first asking students to share their graphic organizers with their peers. The same teacher invites students to practice using the vocabulary words in a sentence. The other teacher supports students in sharing and discussing the work with each other.
Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Activity

2:

Mae Jemison’s Life in Pictures

By the end of the activity, students will identify key facts about Mae Jemison’s life and career and explain her significance as a pioneering astronaut.

>40

Minutes

Materials

Colored pencils, crayons, and markers
Construction paper in assorted colors
Glue (a few per group)
Magazines (a few per group)
Other materials for collage activity (e.g., glow-in-the-dark stars, space-themed stickers)
Poster board (one per group)
Scissors (a few per group)
Whiteboard and display
Writing utensils

Resources

Britannica Library Mae Jemison article https://library.eb.com/levels/youngchildren/article/Mae-Jemison/635361
K-W-L graphic organizer
Mae Jemison Model Collage
1
Begin the activity by asking students this question: If we look up, can we see where the sky ends?
2
Introduce the idiom “The sky’s the limit!” and share that people use this to mean that you can do anything you dream of doing. Ask students the following question:
What job would you like to have when you grow up?
Then, as a class, discuss the meaning of the idiom “The sky’s the limit!” and provide examples of it in a sentence, such as “If you want to be a teacher, the sky’s the limit!” or “If you want to be an astronaut like Mae Jemison, the sky’s the limit!”
3
Introduce the activity’s focus on Mae Jemison, highlighting her achievement as a pioneering astronaut.
4
Using a K-W-L graphic organizer, have students share what they know (K) about Mae Jemison, astronauts, and space and what they want (W) to learn. Scribe students’ responses on a K-W-L graphic organizer or on a K-W-L chart written on the board. Tell students that reading the Mae Jemison article will teach them all about her life and accomplishments.
5
Read the Mae Jemison article aloud, pausing for comprehension checks by asking the following guiding questions:
Who is Mae Jemison?
When did she go to space?
What was her space mission called, and what did it do?
What did Mae Jemison do after she stopped being an astronaut?
How does Mae Jemison help people?
6
After reading the article, ask students what they learned about Mae Jemison and add that information to the L column of the K-W-L graphic organizer.
7
Organize students into groups of three or four, and tell them that they will be working collaboratively to create a collage representing Mae Jemison’s life. Encourage students to include elements representing the main points discussed in the article.
a)
Show the Mae Jemison Model Collage.
b)
Provide students with the following materials: poster board, construction paper, magazines, scissors, glue, colored pencils, crayons, and markers. Include additional materials (e.g., space-themed stickers, glow-in-the dark stars) if available.
c)
Encourage students to write labels and draw on their collages.
8
Have groups present their collages to the class, explaining to their classmates the importance of Mae Jemison. Encourage students to ask questions and offer kind feedback as the groups share their collages.
9
Add final points to the L column on the K-W-L graphic organizer, and guide students to reflect on the initial W questions.
10
Wrap up by discussing how Mae Jemison’s passion for science led to her achievements. Review how the text provided students with information about Jemison’s life.
Guiding Questions: Provide students additional support in the discussion of the idiom “The sky’s the limit!” by asking them guiding questions as prompts to enrich the class discussion. This strategy fosters critical thinking and enriches classroom interactions.
Writing Extension: Invite students to write a fiction story about an astronaut or share their story orally. This enrichment activity fosters imaginative thinking skills and allows students to express their creativity.
My Dreams: Have students make a collage that represents everything they want to do when they grow up. This benefits students’ learning because it invites them to think about all the possibilities they have in a collaborative setting.
Parallel Teaching: For collaborative teaching and learning environments, this learning activity is well suited to a Parallel Teaching strategy. In this model, the class is divided into two groups, and each teacher delivers the same activity simultaneously to their group. This reduces the student-teacher ratio, allowing for more interaction and individualized attention. With smaller groups, students are more likely to participate actively and receive immediate feedback, which fosters a deeper understanding of the content and promotes a more engaging learning experience. Evidence suggests that small-group instruction leads to increased student engagement and improved academic outcomes.
Activity Introduction: Both teachers begin the activity by asking students what they would like to do when they grow up and guiding a whole-group discussion on the meaning of the saying “The sky’s the limit!” They then divide the class into two groups.
Article Reading and K-W-L Graphic Organizer: Both teachers lead the article reading and invite students to share their ideas and then scribe them on a K-W-L graphic organizer. Additionally, both teachers ensure that students understand the key ideas presented in the article and answer the guiding questions correctly.
Collage: Both teachers support students in creating collages that represent Mae Jemison’s life.
Activity Wrap-Up: Both teachers lead a whole-class discussion on Mae Jemison and encourage students to share their collages with the class.
Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Activity

3:

Mae Jemison: An Astronaut in Training

By the end of the activity, students will be able to describe how astronaut Mae Jamison trained to go to space.

>40

Minutes

Materials

Blue or black construction paper (one sheet per student)
Colored pencils, crayons, and markers
Glue
Scissors
Whiteboard and display
Writing utensils

Resources

Britannica Library Mae Jemison article https://library.eb.com/levels/youngchildren/article/Mae-Jemison/635361
Mae Jemison Word Search (one per student and one for teacher display)
Spaceship Shapes handout (one per student and one for teacher display)
1
Begin by asking students how they think astronauts prepare for space missions.
2
Tell students that in today’s activity they will explore Mae Jemison’s journey to becoming an astronaut.
3
Display and read the Mae Jemison article aloud, and ask the following guiding questions:
Who was Mae Jemison?
What did she study?
When did she go to space?
What was her spaceship called?
What was the purpose of the mission?
What did Mae Jemison do after she stopped being an astronaut?
Why is Mae Jemison an important person?
4
As a class, summarize the key ideas from the article. Scribe students’ responses on the board.
5
Discuss the meaning of the word endeavor and its relation to Mae Jemison’s life. An endeavor is defined as a try to do something with great effort, and it is also the name of Jemison’s spaceship. You can explain to students that the spaceship name uses a different spelling but means the same thing.
6
Distribute a Spaceship Shapes handout to each student. Tell students that they will each make an Endeavour spaceship craft. Instruct students to do the following:
a)
Cut out the spaceship shapes from the handout.
b)
Glue the shapes onto blue or black construction paper to make a spaceship.
c)
Decorate with stars.
d)
Write “Endeavour” and draw Mae Jemison in a window.
8
Invite students to share with a partner their spaceships and one fact they now know about Mae Jemison. Discuss the following question as a class:
What does Mae Jemison mean by “help people reach the stars”?
9
Have students complete the Mae Jemison Word Search to practice key vocabulary from the text. Review answers together.
10
Wrap up by highlighting for the class the key achievements of astronauts and scientists.
Craft Preparation: Consider precutting shapes for students to support those who are not yet cutting independently and to expedite the process of making the spaceship. This differentiation aims to cater to all students’ abilities.
Independent Reading: Invite students to read the Explorers article and focus on the “Exploring Space” section. After students complete the assigned reading, ask them to answer the following guiding questions:
When did people first explore space?
What do people do in the International Space Station?
What are telescopes used for?
Which planet do astronauts want to explore?
This activity fosters students’ critical thinking skills and gives them an opportunity to practice their reading comprehension skills.
Spaceship Craft: Instead of using construction paper to make a spaceship, consider making a 3-D model using a cylinder-shaped item such as a paper towel roll, toilet paper roll, or plastic bottle. This supports learners because it provides them an opportunity to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills.
One Teaching, One Assisting: For collaborative teaching and learning environments, this learning activity is well suited to a One Teaching, One Assisting strategy. In this model, one teacher leads the activity while the other circulates, assisting individual students as needed. This ensures that when students encounter difficulties, they receive immediate help in the form of personalized support and answers to their questions. By addressing students’ unique needs and keeping them on track, this approach enhances individual learning experiences and fosters a supportive classroom environment. Studies indicate that immediate feedback and individualized attention can significantly enhance student understanding and retention of material.
Activity Introduction: Both teachers introduce the activity and invite students to think about how astronauts train to go to space.
Article Reading: One teacher leads the article reading and discussion while the other assists students in understanding the key ideas presented. The lead teacher also asks students to answer the guiding questions while the assisting teacher scribes their answers on the board.
Spaceship Craft and Word Search: The lead teacher explains the extension activities while the assisting teacher prepares materials and hands them out to students. Both teachers assist students in completing the independent tasks.
Activity Wrap-Up: Both teachers discuss what it means that Mae Jemison wants to “help people reach the stars” and conclude the activity by highlighting the key achievements of this groundbreaking astronaut and scientist.
Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Activity

4:

Minutes

Materials

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Exploring Space with Mae Jemison

Activity

5:

Minutes

Materials

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Resources

EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
Prepare for the Activity:
1
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a)
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TEXT BLOCK: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam,
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum .
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum .
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum .
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