Star Mission Teacher Guide Star Mission
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Target: ELL / LIFE HS
Duration: 45 Minutes
Objectives
Identify key facts about Mae Jemison's life.
Acquire and use 5 core "Space" vocabulary words in English/Spanish.
Follow multi-step visual directions to create a functional straw rocket.
Materials Needed
"Mae Among the Stars" book (optional for read-aloud)
Stellar Dreams Slides & Reading Passage
Wide straws and slightly thinner "launcher" straws (or pipettes)
Construction paper, tape, and scissors
Mission Timeline
0-5m
Launch: Interest Hook
Show the first slide with the starry sky. Ask students: "What do you see?" and "Do you want to go to space?" Introduce Mae Jemison.
5-15m
Discovery: Reading & Vocab
Read the 200 Lexile passage aloud. Use the Vocabulary sheet to practice "Astronaut/Astronauta" and "Dream/Sueño". Have students point to images as you speak.
15-35m
Construction: Straw Rockets
Pass out the Rocket Launcher Craft guide. Model how to seal one end of the wider straw with tape. This is the "engine." Students decorate their rockets and attach paper fins.
35-45m
Landing: Flight Test & Reflection
Test rockets! Ask students: "What is your dream?" Just like Mae Jemison, they can do big things.
Supportive Strategies
Visual Supports
Use realia (toy rockets, photos of Mae) alongside the slides. Encourage students to use the Spanish translations if they are stuck.
Fine Motor Help
Pre-cut rocket shapes or fin triangles for students who struggle with scissors. Use thick "beginner" straws for easier handling.
Stellar Dreams Slides Stellar Dreams
The Story of Mae Jemison
Who is Mae?
Mae Jemison is a girl with a big dream.
She wants to go to the stars.
A Big Dream
The Dream / El Sueño
Mae wants to be an astronaut.
Hard Work
Mae is a doctor and a scientist.
3... 2... 1... BLAST OFF!
In 1992, Mae went into space.
Our Mission
Make a Straw Rocket!
1
Build
2
Decorate
3
Launch!
Mae Reading Passage Mae Among the Stars
Reading Mission
Name
Date
Mae is a little girl. She has a big dream.
Mae wants to go to space. She wants to see the stars.
Her mom says, "You can do it! Work hard."
Mae works very hard. She is a scientist. She is a doctor.
In 1992, Mae goes into space. She is an astronaut.
Mae is the first Black woman in space. She is a hero.
Check My Mission
1. What is Mae's big dream?
To be an astronaut
To be a chef
2. What does Mae want to see?
The stars
The fish
Space Words Vocabulary Space Words
Vocabulario del Espacio
NAME:
DATE:
Astronaut
Astronauta
Star
Estrella
Scientist
Científica
Dream
Sueño
Rocket
Cohete
Space
Espacio
Mission Practice
Copy the word ASTRONAUT three times:
Rocket Launcher Craft Guide Rocket Factory
Building Our Straw Rockets
Goal: Launch like Mae!
Follow these steps from Buggy and Buddy to build your ship.
1
The Template
Color and cut out your rocket from the handout.
2
The Air Chamber
Cut a piece of wide straw. Tape the top completely shut so no air escapes.
3
Attach
Tape the straw to the back of your paper rocket.
4
Launch!
Slide the thin straw inside the wide straw. Blow hard!
Teacher Tip: Ensure the tape at the top of the wide straw creates a perfect seal, or the rocket won't launch!
Rocket Template Handout Rocket Templates
Cut & Color Your Ship
Name / Astronaut ID
1. Color your rockets! 2. Cut along the dotted lines. 3. Get ready for flight!
Rocket Model A
Write Name Here
Rocket Model B
Cut along the thick dashed lines! Ask a teacher for help with the fins.
