Week 33, Guided Reading "Space Girls" - Phonics Phase 5 - Worksheet

The "Space Girls" guided reading activity is part of the Phonics Phase 5 curriculum, designed to engage Year 6 students with the topic of women in space exploration. The activity includes a series of comprehension questions that encourage students to reflect on the content of the "Space Girls" book, discerning whether it's a work of fiction or non-fiction, and delving into the historical context of women astronauts. Questions probe into the year the first woman travelled to space, her age, and nationality, while also inviting personal opinions on the subject of women in space and what it means to have "nerves of steel." Students are asked to define the term "orbited" and explore the reasons behind the secretive training of female astronauts in America. Additionally, the fate of Jerrie Cobb's aspirations to become an astronaut is examined.

Beyond the comprehension questions, bonus queries challenge students to consider the broader implications of space travel, their own aspirations of becoming astronauts, and their views on the fairness of treatment received by women astronauts. The activity is complemented by a variety of exercises including a worksheet, quiet reading time, and a creative task to construct a space station in the role play corner. One engaging activity is the "hot seat," where a child or the teacher answers questions while role-playing as a 'space girl.' To round off the learning experience, students are invited to colour a picture and complete the sentence "I would like/would not like to go to space because..." to express their personal feelings about the prospect of space travel.