Expressing Yourself: Women in the Arts

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 3

6th Grade

Lesson 6 of 27

Objective


Explain how Copeland responds to stereotypes about ballet dancers, and how those stereotypes and expectations influenced the way she saw herself.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland  pp. 155 – 171

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

In Chapter 8, Copeland writes, “But ballet isn’t just about ability or strength. You must also look the part.” (p. 163). How does Copeland illustrate the idea that expectations about ballerinas’ physical appearance had a negative impact on her mental health? Provide at least two pieces of quoted evidence from Chapter 8 to support your answer.

Use the word “distorted” in your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How is life in the corps de ballet different from anything Misty has experienced before? How does joining the corps impact the way that Misty sees herself? Provide at least two pieces of evidence from pages 155-156 to support your answer.

  • What stereotype about ballet dancers does Copeland address on page 167? How does she challenge this stereotype? Provide quoted evidence to support your answer.

  • Why does Copeland most likely include the anecdote about her conversation with her brother on page 170? What stereotype does this anecdote illustrate? How does this stereotype impact the way that Misty feels about herself? Provide at least two pieces of quoted evidence to support your answer.

Discussion Questions

  • What do you think about the fact that ballet is so concerned with what people look like? Are there other artforms where the artist’s appearance is as important to their success?

Vocabulary


Text-based

distorted

adj.

(p. 168)

not truly representing facts or reality

stereotype

n.

a widely believed but oversimplified—and often false—idea about a specific type of person or a group of 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  — Chapter 9

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why does Misty begin to feel out of place at the American Ballet Theater?

  • Who is Eric? What is his relationship to Misty?

  • Who is Victoria Rowell? Why is her mentorship meaningful to Misty?

  • Who is Arthur Mitchell? What does he offer Misty?

  • What decision does Misty make at the end of this chapter?

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Common Core Standards


  • 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
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Lesson 7

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