Exploring Mars: Spirit and Opportunity

Lesson 21
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ELA

Alternate Unit 4

5th Grade

Lesson 21 of 33

Objective


Summarize what happened with Opportunity on his way to Victoria Crater and the steps the team at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) took to remedy the situation, by explaining the relationship between two or more scientific and technical ideas.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch  pp. 52 – 55

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Summarize what happened with Opportunity on his way to Victoria Crater. Describe the steps the team at Jet Propulsion Laboratory took to remedy the situation.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What audacious choice did Steve and his team make on page 53? Why? 

  • Steve noted that his team started to get “a little cocky,” which means they were arrogant, self-assertive, or conceited. Do you agree with Steve? Why or why not? 

  • Do the math. How long would it have taken Opportunity to reach Victoria Crater if it were traveling 30 meters a day? 90 meters a day? 180 meters a day? How much time would scientists save by traveling 180 meters a day versus 30 meters a day? Based on that information, did they make the right decision? 

  • What lesson did the team and drivers learn from the experience?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


vindicated

v.

(p. 55)

to show that something is true after it has been questioned

ordeal

n.

(p. 55)

an experience that was painful or took a lot of time

tense

adj.

(p. 55)

not relaxed

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.5.2 — Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
  • RI.5.3 — Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Supporting Standards

L.5.4
L.5.5
RF.5.3
RF.5.4
RI.5.1
RI.5.4
RI.5.10
SL.5.1
W.5.10
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Lesson 20

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Lesson 22

Lesson Map

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