Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

A Hidden Figure of the Space Race: Katherine G. Johnson

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

6

Overview

In this passage, students learn about Katherine G. Johnson. Katherine G. Johnson is probably most known for her work on the orbital mission of John Glenn. He was set to be the first American to orbit around the Earth. But he did not trust all of the electronic machines that would control the path of his spaceship. These machines would sometimes malfunction. Glenn asked the engineers for Katherine G. Johnson’s help. He trusted her to check every single mathematical equation. She checked the numbers, and Glenn’s mission was a success! Now, there is a movie called Hidden Figures that tells the true story of how she and two other brilliant African American women made sure this mission was a triumph.

A vocabulary activity and question set are included with the passage. 

    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 6

    SS10.6.8

    Describe how the United States’ role in the Cold War influenced domestic and international events.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.6.8

    Vocabulary

    • Cold War
    • domestic
    • international
    • Iron Curtain
    • communism
    • democracy
    • embargo
    • blockade
    • diplomacy
    • strategic diplomatic initiative
    • proxy war
    • destruction
    • invasion
    • crisis
    • weapons of mass destruction
    • Strategic Defense Initiative

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • How the role the U.S. played in the Cold War influenced domestic and foreign policy.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Appraise the value of technological advances during the Cold War.
    • Cite specific textual evidence to analyze the influence of the super powers on cultural, technological, and political changes during the Cold War.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The United States played an important role in the Cold War and this influenced U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    ReadWorks.org
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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