Space Timeline Reading Task

Term 2 Weeks 5-6

Purpose of this reading activity is to: increase our knowledge of
space exploration
and understand
how our knowledge
and ideas about space have changed over time (science). We are also
learning to read non-fiction texts
and use our writing skills to
share our understanding of this topic and our ideas (literacy).
Throughout this task we will need to use the skills of ‘Thinking’ and
using ‘Language,
Symbols and Text.’

Learning Intentions

I am learning to skim and scan text to identify the main ideas.

I am learning to locate the key sentences and questions in texts.

I am learning to use sub-headings to guide me to the main ideas in text.

I am learning to summarise the main ideas in the texts I read.

(from the Karoro Programme of work for Reading)

Success Criteria

I will be successful when I can show….

-I have have scanned text to find key ideas.

-I have summarised the main ideas from the reading.

-I have put my answers in chronological order.

Focus

We are looking at using non-fiction text to increase our knowledge in our science topic; SPACE.

Your aim is to read and understand the timeline reading and use this knowledge to complete
the reading activity below.

First, Read the timeline cards. Click here for the space timeline pdf

Second, We will discuss what you have read. This will be a good time to ask questions
about anything you are unsure of.

Third, do your reading tasks.

Fourth, complete your reading activity. Remember to proofread, check spelling and punctuation.
Then do a self assessment and a peer assessment. Check it with a teacher.

Reading Activity

View and read the space timeline on the classroom walls.
Think about how how our theories/ideas and understandings
about the universe
and Earth’s
place in it has changed over time.

Answer the following questions.

Your answers need to be full sentences.

After you have answered all the questions please put them in
chronological
order (time order, oldest first)

5) What are two things that Galileo discovered?

1610 Galileo Galilei made the first

telescopic observation of the

night sky, discovering Jupiter’s

moons, lunar craters and the

diferent phases of Venus.

9) Who discovered the first asteroid?1801 The first asteroid, Ceres, was

discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi.

3) In what year was NASA founded? And what does NASA mean? 1958,
National astronauts in space administration.

2) What was Sputnik 1? 1957 Sputnik was a satellite that sent signals.

3) In what year was NASA founded? And what does NASA mean?
1958, National astronauts in space administration .

6) Who was the first woman in space? And where was she from?

1963 Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

became the first man in space.

Gagarin travelled in a spacecraft

called Vostok 1 and managed to

complete one orbit of Earth, landing

about 2 hours after the launch.

7) In what year did Apollo 11 land on the moon? 1965

8) What happened that led to all space shuttles being grounded for 3 years?

Space shuttle Challenger

exploded after launch, killing the

seven astronauts on board. This

led to all shuttles being

grounded for 3 years.

10) What country launched Voyager probes 1 and 2 into deep space?

1977 America Launched Voyager 1 and 2

1)How long did it take for the Cassini probe to arrive at

Saturn?2004  Cassini probe took four years to reach saturn

11) When was the international space station completed?

1986 the final part was finished in 2010

1986 the final part was finished in 2010

12) What was interesting about New Horizon’s information about Pluto?
2015 NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft

arrived at Pluto after travelling for

nine years and a total distance of

4.6 billion miles. Data sent to the

Earth showed that Pluto is fifty

miles larger than was first thought.

1)How long did it take for the Cassini probe to arrive at Saturn?2004   Cassini probe took four years
to reach saturn

YOUR OPINION

After reading this information...

1. Who do you think made the biggest contribution to our
2. understanding of space?
3. Why? (summarising key ideas)

I think it is Galileo Galilei  because he made the first telescope
observation.                 

    2) What do you think was the most important machine or  invention in
helping us investigate space? Why?

(summarising key ideas) I think it is the V2 rocket because it  became the

rocket to reach 100km above the

Earth’s surface. A later version of

this sent the frst pictures of Earth

from 105 km above the surface.