Expressing Yourself: Women in the Arts

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 3

6th Grade

Lesson 11 of 28

Objective


Analyze how Copeland elaborates on and responds to her experiences with racism and ignorance in her ballet company.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland  pp. 172 – 187

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A Note for Teachers


Students will skip pages 188–202 and 212–228 in the homework following today's lesson. Prior to the end of class, provide students with the following summary of these pages:

  • Misty starts dating a man named Olu, who encourages her to pursue her dreams.
  • Misty begins to feel more confident in herself and secure in her place in the ABT company.
  • Famous musician Prince invites Misty to perform with him, and they develop a bond as they continue to work together over several years. Copeland writes, "Working with Prince helped me to become a whole artist" (pp. 220–221).
  • Misty continues to find support and inspiration from older Black women in the arts.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Copeland support her central idea that her racial identity is part of what made her "an unlikely ballerina"? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How does Copeland introduce Kevin as an important individual in her life and illustrate the significance of their friendship? Provide examples from pages 177–179 to support your answer.

  • How does Copeland illustrate the impact of the racism and ignorance she experienced at ABT? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • Explain Copeland's internal conflict on pages 185–187. What does this section demonstrate about Misty's growth and development? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Literary Terms

central idea

an essential idea that the writer is communicating to the reader in a nonfiction text

Text-based

callous

adj.

(p. 178)

not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or suffering of other people

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland  — pp. 203–211 and 228–233

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who does Misty meet for the first time in this section of the text?

  • Is this a positive or negative experience?

  • What does Kevin tell Misty after her performance in Sleeping Beauty?

  • What is significant about this achievement?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.6.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
  • RI.6.3 — Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RI.6.1
RI.6.2
RI.6.4
RI.6.5
RI.6.7
RI.6.8
RI.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.6
W.6.1.a
W.6.1.b
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.b
W.6.10

Next

Analyze how Copeland illustrates that her circumstances and perspective have changed over time.

Lesson 12
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