Expressing Yourself: Women in the Arts

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 3

6th Grade

Lesson 13 of 28

Objective


Analyze how the Firebird role symbolizes Maria Tallchief and Misty Copeland's experiences and legacies.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland  pp. 237 – 248

  • Article: “A Woman of Two Worlds” by Jennifer L. Bender 

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A Note for Teachers


Students will skip pages 248–259 in the homework following today's lesson. Prior to the end of class, provide students with the following summary of these pages:

  • Misty finds out that she has stress fractures in her shin, which require her to drop out of the rest of her performances so she can have surgery.
  • This is very emotionally challenging for Misty, who worries about what this injury will mean for her future as a dancer.
  • She returns to dancing with ABT, but her recovery is slow and takes a lot of hard work.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How is the Firebird role symbolic of both Copeland and Tallchief's experiences as trailblazing dancers? Provide examples from "A Woman of Two Worlds" and Life in Motion to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What made Maria Tallchief "a woman of two worlds"? What information from the article develops this idea? ("A Woman of Two Worlds")

  • Explain why Copeland's performance as the Firebird represents the climax of her story. How does Copeland illustrate the significance of this event to the reader? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. (Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina)

  • What is the relationship between Chapter 13 and the prologue of Life in Motion? Why did Copeland choose to feature this moment twice in the text? (Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina)

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

symbol

a character, setting, object, or event that represents a larger, more complex concept or idea

climax

moment of greatest intensity or emotional tension as a narrative's conflict is reached, usually marks a turning point in the plot

Text-based

nurture

v.

(p. 247)

care for and encourage the growth or development of something or someone

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.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How did Misty move forward from her injury?

  • What goal does Copeland achieve in the Afterword? Why is it so significant?

  • According to the article, what are the goals of the Misty Copeland Foundation?

  • Why did Misty start the BE BOLD program through her foundation?

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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.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RI.6.1
RI.6.3
RI.6.4
RI.6.9
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

Determine central ideas in Life in Motion and explain how these ideas are developed in the text and in other sources.

Lesson 14
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