G7ELA-T3_W2

• New lesson editor
• English
• Secondary Education
• Age 13

What is Jose Hernandez's profession?

A

Astronaut

B

Chef

C

Artist

D

Engineer

Where was Jose Hernandez born?

A

Mexico

B

United States

C

Canada

D

California

What programme did Jose Hernandez work for?

A

Space Shuttle

B

Private Space Company

C

NASA

D

ESA

What was a major challenge for Hernandez?

A

Financial issues

B

Lack of education

C

Language barrier

D

Cultural differences

What inspired Jose to become an astronaut?

A

Peer pressure

B

Fame and fortune

C

Family support

D

Childhood dreams

Why These Words? The vocabulary words are related.

Concept Vocabulary

Study Language and Craft

Student Edition page 571

1. ​With your group, write what the words have in common.

2. ​Add another word that fits the category. __________________

3. ​Use all three vocabulary words in a help-wanted ad. Include context clues that hint at each word’s meaning.

HOW THIS SON OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS BECAME AN ASTRONAUT

Text

Add another word that fits the category.

Influence of Setting

ANALYZE AND INTERPRET

Student Edition page 572

In autobiographical writing, biographical writing, and interviews, writers often explore ways in which settings, people, and events shape the ideas, beliefs, and actions of their subjects.

As you reflect on “How This Son of Migrant Farm Workers Became an Astronaut,” notice the aspects of setting that shaped Hernández’s childhood. In particular, consider how these factors influenced him:

• geographic locations and seasons

• economic aspects of his family’s life

• cultural elements, including society’s attitudes and the values his parents taught him

TIP:

To determine the influence of setting, notice the connections Hernández makes between his circumstances and his life choices.

HOW THIS SON OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS BECAME AN ASTRONAUT

My childhood was typical of a migrant farm working family, a family that spends nine months out of the year picking fruits and vegetables from Southern California to Northern California. While others looked forward to summer vacation, I hated it. Summer vacation meant working seven days a week in the fields. (paragraph 7)

But then as a teenager I was embarrassed because we lived in the barrio. We lived in areas that were run down because those were the areas where we could afford to live.

My bi-cultural upbringing made me feel out of place—not American enough, but not Mexican enough, either. (paragraphs 11–12)

.

1

Moving between different places made him feel like he didn’t fully belong anywhere, influencing his identity and sense of self.

2

The limited resources and run-down neighborhoods he lived in showed him the challenges of poverty, motivating him to work harder for a better future.

3

Living in rural farming areas exposed him to hard physical labor, which taught him discipline and perseverance from a young age.

4

Despite these challenges, the different settings helped shape his resilience and determination, which later supported his success as an astronaut.

5

Growing up in a migrant farmworker family meant José Hernández moved frequently, so the changing settings made it difficult for him to have a stable education.

Enter your question here

1. ​What personal qualities do you think may have led to Hernández’s success?

2. Does everyone have the ability to overcome life’s challenges as he did?

STUDY LANGUAGE AND CRAFT

Student Edition page 573

Before sitting down with their subject, an interviewer prepares a list of questions to ask the person. They organize the questions by topic; a structure that ensures that the interview progresses smoothly and the questions follow logically. For example, the interviewer may:

• present questions chronologically so that readers learn about the life of the interview subject in time order

• present questions according to a broad category, such as early influences or failures the subject experienced

• present follow-up questions about information the subject shared to explore the response further

Organizational Patterns

HOW THIS SON OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS BECAME AN ASTRONAUT

STUDY LANGUAGE AND CRAFT

Student Edition page 573

Transcripts of interviews, such as the one you just read, often include introductory information about the subject being interviewed. The interview itself appears in question-and-answer format.

Organizational Patterns Continued

HOW THIS SON OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS BECAME AN ASTRONAUT

Word Study

Study Language and Craft

Student Edition page 571

Analogies An analogy is a pair of words that share a relationship. For example, the words might be synonyms or antonyms, or they might show a part-to-whole or cause-and-effect relationship. In the analogy success is to failure as advantage is to obstacle, each pair of words is made up of antonyms.

PRACTICE Use a vocabulary word to complete each analogy. Then, discuss your answers with your group.

1. ​Scold is to criticize as ______ is to achieve.

2. ​Stretch is to extend as determination is to ______.

3. ​Whisper is to scream as unhelpful is to ______.

HOW THIS SON OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS BECAME AN ASTRONAUT