what should we take to the moon?...toothbrush. chewing gum. toothpaste (to go with the toothbrush)....

What Should We Take to the Moon?

What Should We Take to the Moon?by W.M. Akers

Extra socks. Toothbrush. Chewing gum. Toothpaste (to go with the toothbrush). Action figures. Lots and lots of action figures.

Toby looked at the pile with all his favorite stuff. He had arranged it into three neat rows. On the left was very important stuff. In the middle was kind of important stuff. On the right was not-so-important stuff.

"Action figures are very important," he said. "Chewing gum is kind of important. Toothpaste is not so important."

Toby was preparing for a trip to the moon. He didn't know when he was going. He didn't have any tickets. But he figured it had to be soon, and he wanted to be ready.

Earlier that night, Toby's dad was watching the news. A lady with poofy hair talked to a scientist in a lab coat.

"When do you expect man will return to the moon?" asked the lady.

"Very soon," said the scientist. "Very soon indeed."

Toby usually ignored the news. But this made him look up from his homework. "Very soon..." he murmured to himself. "Very soon indeed!"

Toby had been excited about the moon ever since he first saw it in the night sky. It passed by his bedroom window at night, and when it was full, it filled Toby's head with dreams. He wanted to fly in a spaceship. He wanted to vacation on the moon. He wanted to hike up ReadWorks.org · © 2015 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Should We Take to the Moon?

mountains made of moon rock. He wanted to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a space colony, while the earth spun overhead.

Toby wanted to live on the moon. And now, according to the man on the news, that was going to happen. Very soon indeed.

As soon as he finished his homework, Toby went to his room. He took out his blue, plastic suitcase, and began arranging things on his bed. There was no time to waste, but that didn't mean he hurried. Packing for a trip to the moon was too important to rush.

Toby had always been a planner. At Christmas dinner, he thought about where they would go for summer vacation. On summer vacation, he thought about what he might like for Christmas. Toby's sister teased him about it, but Toby thought there was no harm in looking ahead. Tonight he wasn't just looking ahead. He was looking up-to the moon.

When his suitcase was filled, Toby closed it. He pulled the zipper. It would not zip. His suitcase was too full.

With hands as careful as an astronaut's, Toby lifted each object from his suitcase. He would have to leave something behind, but what? Even the toothpaste was too important to leave behind.

"Let's see," he said, consulting his list. "I'll need shoes on the moon. I'll need a book to read on the way. I'll need my camera in case there are any aliens. And I'll definitely need my sunglasses. Since it's never cloudy on the moon, the sun will be very bright."

Finally, there was only one thing left in his suitcase. As soon as he picked it up, Toby knew it would have to stay behind. It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp. It was his most prized possession. It lived on his desk, and every time he saw it, his heart sang a little song. But he would find plenty of rocks on the moon.

Toby zipped up his suitcase and put it beside the door. When the time came to go to the moon, he would be ready.

ReadWorks.org · © 2015 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

ReadWorks Vocabulary - arrange

arrange ar·range

Definitionverb

1. to put in an order.

Joe arranged his books by author.

2. to make plans for; prepare.

Mrs. Gomez arranged a birthday party for her son.

Advanced Definitiontransitive verb

1. to put in a desired order or configuration.

She arranged the papers on her desk.

They arranged the furniture so that it would be convenient for both talking and

watching television.

We arranged the books according to their size.

2. to make plans for; prepare.

Her administrative assistant arranged the meeting for next week.

The couple will arrange the wedding reception themselves.

3. to adapt (a piece of music) for a particular style of performance or for particular players.

She arranged the violin piece for the piano.

The school orchestra plays classical pieces that are arranged for younger players.

intransitive verb

1. to plan or do what is necessary in order to bring something about (often fol. by "for").

She arranged for flowers to be sent to the funeral home.

The White House staff arranged that the meeting be held with the Prime Minister

at ten o'clock.

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.Definitions and sample sentences within definitions are provided by Wordsmyth. © 2015 Wordsmyth. All rights reserved.

ReadWorks Vocabulary - arrange

They arranged to see each other again the following week.

These are some examples of how the word or forms of the word are used:

1. The United Nations helped to arrange the conference.

2. It took a long time to arrange the letters.

3. These bakeries produce the dough and bake the bread, then package it and arrange for its distribution to stores.


ReadWorks Vocabulary - authentic

authentic au·then·tic

Advanced Definitionadjective

1. real, genuine, or valid.

The famous signature on the document proved to be authentic.

2. in conformance with the known facts; authoritative.

Archeologists have struggled to produce an authentic interpretation of the

symbols.

Spanish cognate

autentico: The Spanish word autentico means authentic.


1. It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp. It was his most prized possession.

2. After an exhaustive three-year study to prove the flag authentic, the Connecticut Historical Society displayed the banner with other Civil War relics. Five American flags surrounded Lincoln; his wife, Mary Todd; and two guests on that fateful night as they watched a comedy called Our American Cousin.


ReadWorks Vocabulary - possession

possession pos·ses·sion

Definitionnoun

1. something that is owned.

I have many possessions besides my car.

Advanced Definitionnoun

1. the act of possessing, or the condition of being possessed.

2. ownership.

3. something that is owned.

I have many other possessions besides my house.

4. a territory ruled by a state or nation.

5. self-control.

6. the state of being gripped or controlled by an idea, emotion, or evil spirit.

Spanish cognate

posesión: The Spanish word posesión means possession.


1. How much money do you have in your possession?

2. Dogs, like wolves, are territorial. This means that they "own" or guard their space and their possessions. Some dogs are more territorial than others. That has to do with their breeding and training.

3. As the lava and fires spread, people ran with whatever possessions they could carry. Many people fled into the neighboring country of Rwanda. Some children became separated from their families during the panic.

4. As soon as he picked it up, Toby knew it would have to stay behind. It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp. It was his most prized possession. It lived on his desk, and every time he saw it, his heart sang a little song. But he would find plenty of rocks on the moon.

5. Millions of immigrants were processed at Ellis Island. They were given medical exams and reading tests. They were asked countless personal questions, including: "Who paid for your voyage?" "How much money do you have in your possession?" "Do you have more than one wife?" Not everyone got in. Those who were too unhealthy were sent back. Some families were split up, and had to say goodbye to each other in tears.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Comprehension Questions

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

1. What is Toby preparing for?

A. a trip to Mars

B. a family vacation

C. a sleepover

D. a trip to the moon

2. What motivated Toby to begin packing his suitcase?

A. Toby's dad had been watching the news earlier that night.

B. A scientist on the news said he expects man will return to the moon very soon.

C. He wanted to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a space colony.

D. Toby's sister told him to start preparing for their summer vacation.

3. Read these sentences from the text.

Toby had been excited about the moon ever since he first saw it in the night sky. It

passed by his bedroom window at night, and when it was full, it filled Toby's head with

dreams.

[ . . . ]

Toby wanted to live on the moon. And now, according to the man on the news, that was

going to happen. Very soon indeed.

Based on this evidence, how does Toby most likely feel about the possibility of going to

the moon very soon?

A. confused and annoyed

B. bored and uninterested

C. thrilled and excited

D. nervous and scared




At Christmas dinner, [Toby] thought about where they would go for summer vacation.

On summer vacation, he thought about what he might like for Christmas. Toby's sister

teased him about it, but Toby thought there was no harm in looking ahead.

What conclusion can you draw about Toby based on this evidence?

A. Toby likes to do things at the last minute.

B. Toby likes to be prepared for whatever is coming up.

C. Toby likes his brother more than his sister.

D. Toby prefers summertime to Christmas time.

5. What is a theme of this story?

A. It's never too early to prepare for something.

B. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

C. Family is more important than any object you can own.

D. There is no place as nice as your own home.


It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp. It was

[Toby's] most prized possession. It lived on his desk, and every time he saw it, his heart

sang a little song.

Why might the author have said that Toby's "heart sang a little song"?

A. to show that Toby liked music as much as he liked the rock

B. to suggest that Toby sang to the rock

C. to show how much Toby valued the rock

D. to show that Toby cared about his brother



7. Read this sentence from the text.

It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp.

How could you rewrite this sentence without changing its meaning?

A. His brother, who was from space camp, brought home an authentic moon rock.

B. It was an authentic moon rock, which his brother had brought home from space camp.

C. His brother brought him home from space camp, along with an authentic moon rock.

D. It was an authentic moon rock that brought his brother home from space camp.

8. What are three things that Toby decided to take with him to the moon?

9. Why did Toby decide to leave behind his most prized possession, the moon rock?



10. What do Toby's choices about what to take to the moon show the reader about his

personality? Support your answer with evidence from the text.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Comprehension Questions Answer Key

1. What is Toby preparing for?

A. a trip to Mars

B. a family vacation

C. a sleepover

D. a trip to the moon

2. What motivated Toby to begin packing his suitcase?

A. Toby's dad had been watching the news earlier that night.

B. A scientist on the news said he expects man will return to the moon very soon.

C. He wanted to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a space colony.

D. Toby's sister told him to start preparing for their summer vacation.


Toby had been excited about the moon ever since he first saw it in the night sky. It

passed by his bedroom window at night, and when it was full, it filled Toby's head with

dreams.

[ . . . ]

Toby wanted to live on the moon. And now, according to the man on the news, that was

going to happen. Very soon indeed.

Based on this evidence, how does Toby most likely feel about the possibility of going to

the moon very soon?

A. confused and annoyed

B. bored and uninterested

C. thrilled and excited

D. nervous and scared




At Christmas dinner, [Toby] thought about where they would go for summer vacation.

On summer vacation, he thought about what he might like for Christmas. Toby's sister

teased him about it, but Toby thought there was no harm in looking ahead.

What conclusion can you draw about Toby based on this evidence?

A. Toby likes to do things at the last minute.

B. Toby likes to be prepared for whatever is coming up.

C. Toby likes his brother more than his sister.

D. Toby prefers summertime to Christmas time.

5. What is a theme of this story?

A. It's never too early to prepare for something.

B. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

C. Family is more important than any object you can own.

D. There is no place as nice as your own home.


It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp. It was

[Toby's] most prized possession. It lived on his desk, and every time he saw it, his heart

sang a little song.

Why might the author have said that Toby's "heart sang a little song"?

A. to show that Toby liked music as much as he liked the rock

B. to suggest that Toby sang to the rock

C. to show how much Toby valued the rock

D. to show that Toby cared about his brother



7. Read this sentence from the text.

It was an authentic moon rock, brought home by his brother from space camp.

How could you rewrite this sentence without changing its meaning?

A. His brother, who was from space camp, brought home an authentic moon rock.

B. It was an authentic moon rock, which his brother had brought home from space camp.

C. His brother brought him home from space camp, along with an authentic moon rock.

D. It was an authentic moon rock that brought his brother home from space camp.

8. What are three things that Toby decided to take with him to the moon?

Answers may mention any of the following: socks, a toothbrush, chewing

gum, toothpaste, action figures, a book, a camera, and sunglasses.

9. Why did Toby decide to leave behind his most prized possession, the moon rock?

Toby decided to leave behind the moon rock because he knew he would

find plenty of moon rocks on the moon itself.

10. What do Toby's choices about what to take to the moon show the reader about his

personality? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Answers may vary as long as they are supported by the text. Students may

recognize that Toby's choices about what to take to the moon show that he

can be quite sensible; for instance, he is bringing toothpaste, a

toothbrush, socks, and sunglasses. Simultaneously, they also show that he

is imaginative and excitable (he packs a camera in case there are aliens).

His action figures show that he has a sense of fun, and perhaps a

misguided sense of "needs." And his choice to leave behind the moon rock

demonstrate his practicality. Overall, his choices show a balance between

being practical and being a little unrealistic.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: possession

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

1. What is a meaning of the word possession?

A. control of the ball

B. a sudden misfortune

C. a building material

2. What is another meaning of the word possession?

A. anything owned

B. a hole or hollow depression

C. the environmental condition

Please use each answer choice only once. Choose the one word that best completes the sentence.

3. _____ is nine points of the law.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

4. How I would love to live in his house and _____ all those beautiful things.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses



5. The black wolf also _____ wisdom, she had observed.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

6. All my _____ were packed away in a big brown box marked Lovely Things.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

7. The faster a given object is moving, the more energy it _____.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses



8. He is good with his hands and good with his men, _____ an iron will as well as an

iron frame, according to his doctor.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

9. He was more than _____ with his sons, claiming them as if they were parts of

himself.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

10. Please write your own sentence using the word possession.



11. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word possession so

that you can use it when you write or speak?


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: possession Answer Key

1. What is a meaning of the word possession?

A. control of the ball

B. a sudden misfortune

C. a building material

2. What is another meaning of the word possession?

A. anything owned

B. a hole or hollow depression

C. the environmental condition


3. _____ is nine points of the law.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

4. How I would love to live in his house and _____ all those beautiful things.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses



5. The black wolf also _____ wisdom, she had observed.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

6. All my _____ were packed away in a big brown box marked Lovely Things.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

7. The faster a given object is moving, the more energy it _____.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses



8. He is good with his hands and good with his men, _____ an iron will as well as an

iron frame, according to his doctor.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

9. He was more than _____ with his sons, claiming them as if they were parts of

himself.

A. possessed

B. possessing

C. possess

D. possession

E. possessive

F. possessions

G. possesses

10. Please write your own sentence using the word possession.

Answers will vary.

11. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word possession so

that you can use it when you write or speak?

Answers will vary.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: authentic

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

1. What is a meaning of the word authentic?

A. stubborn

B. useless

C. genuine

2. What is another meaning of the word authentic?

A. of the same origin as claimed

B. pleasing by delicacy or grace

C. of or pertaining to sensation


3. But the _____ of the tale a out Honest Abe is suspect among Lincoln scholars.

A. authentic

B. authenticity

4. Because I retell folktales, I have to start with an _____ tale.

A. authentic

B. authenticity

5. Please write your own sentence using the word authentic.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: authentic

6. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word authentic so that

you can use it when you write or speak?


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: authentic Answer Key

1. What is a meaning of the word authentic?

A. stubborn

B. useless

C. genuine

2. What is another meaning of the word authentic?

A. of the same origin as claimed

B. pleasing by delicacy or grace

C. of or pertaining to sensation


3. But the _____ of the tale a out Honest Abe is suspect among Lincoln scholars.

A. authentic

B. authenticity

4. Because I retell folktales, I have to start with an _____ tale.

A. authentic

B. authenticity

5. Please write your own sentence using the word authentic.

Answers will vary.

6. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word authentic so that


Answers will vary.


What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: arrange

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

1. What is a meaning of the word arrange?

A. direct one's attention on something

B. write by means of a keyboard with types

C. put into a proper or systematic order

2. What is another meaning of the word arrange?

A. adapt for performance in a different way

B. have a wish or desire to know something

C. utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone


3. He _____ his things very nicely and decided to sit in his chair for a while.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

4. It was a very easy _____ of notes, and I learned it quickly.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange



5. He helped _____ for her to study the chimps in the wild.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

6. For other students, however, these _____ are not enough.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

7. Before _____ furniture, make a plan.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange



8. It takes only a few minutes for an earthquake to _____ the landscape.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

9. Can I get them _____ by height?

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

10. Please write your own sentence using the word arrange.



11. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word arrange so that



What Should We Take to the Moon? - Vocabulary: arrange Answer Key

1. What is a meaning of the word arrange?

A. direct one's attention on something

B. write by means of a keyboard with types

C. put into a proper or systematic order

2. What is another meaning of the word arrange?

A. adapt for performance in a different way

B. have a wish or desire to know something

C. utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone


3. He _____ his things very nicely and decided to sit in his chair for a while.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

4. It was a very easy _____ of notes, and I learned it quickly.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange



5. He helped _____ for her to study the chimps in the wild.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

6. For other students, however, these _____ are not enough.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

7. Before _____ furniture, make a plan.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange



8. It takes only a few minutes for an earthquake to _____ the landscape.

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

9. Can I get them _____ by height?

A. arrangements

B. rearrange

C. arranged

D. arrangement

E. rearranged

F. arranging

G. arrange

10. Please write your own sentence using the word arrange.

Answers will vary.

11. What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word arrange so that


Answers will vary.


what should we take to the moon?...toothbrush. chewing gum. toothpaste (to go with the toothbrush)....

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