Jeannette+Tyree+Guider-+1969

A Year in Review Narrative:

No Gravity: The Journal of an Astronaut

Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to be an astronaut with all of the physical training that is required and the days are very long, yet it is all worth it! Russia was the first country to send a man into space, but WHOOO America will put the first man on the moon!! This is so exciting. All of this excitement about putting man on the moon though, while very important, can leave people blind to other events occurring in the world. It is 1969, and this is a BIG year for more than just space travel. Americans have been fighting in Vietnam since 1955, and this will be the year that the American people will finally have had enough and convince the government to pull our troops from Vietnam. I am glad I am out in space! Our president is Richard Nixon! It is amazing the view of the world from up here in space! It is unfortunate that I can see the race riots carrying on down below. I am saddened that I am missing the first Woodstock music festival ever, but who would miss the change to play “finders keepers” with the moon?! It is unfortunate that my favorite band ever, The Beatles, are recording their final album this year. Man, they are such a great band. While I am making grooves up here on the moon, Robin Knox-Johnston is making waves down on Earth as the first man to sail around the world alone without stopping! I’ve made it up here into space and almost to the moon and the first Boeing 747 has taken flight from Seattle to New York City. Aviation is a great thing! Well, my buddy Buzz and I are about to jump out of this ship, I’ve got a feeling this will be one small step for man and a giant leap for mankind!

To Infinity and Beyond,

Neil Pedagogical Implications:

I think that using this type of narrative to discuss a year in history, or a time period, really- can be very beneficial to students. Not only does it really give them creative reign to write about essentially whatever they want, but it also can cross content areas as well. The crossing of content areas can be a good way for students who may not be the biggest fan of history or writing to get involved in something like space or science. In the same regard a student who is not interested in science may find it fascinating to write about from a perspective or voice outside of their own.