Who Is Mae Jemison?

Introduction

• Ask your students, "How do we know what details are important to remember about a person?"
• Jot some of their ideas down on the board. Student ideas will vary, but latch onto the concept that their importance depends what this person has done or said, and what influence he or she has had on others. Define influence as the ability to change someone's mind or actions. Possible follow-up questions could be:
  • "Why do we remember people?"
  • "Who are some people you like to remember?"
  • "Why would you read a book about someone?"
• Explain that today we are going to read a biography, or a text about a person that usually includes important dates and events in that person's life.
• Tell students they will learn more about the first African American female astronaut to enter into space, then answer questions about her life.