Expressing Yourself: Women in the Arts

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 3

6th Grade

Lesson 9 of 27

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland  — Pages 203-211 and 228-233

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Why does Copeland include the story of receiving an award from the Boys and Girls Club? What idea does this illustrate? Provide at least one piece of evidence from pages 232-233 and carefully explain your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How does Copeland develop the idea that meeting her father had a big impact on her life, both as a person and as a dancer? Support your answer with evidence from pages 206-211, and explain your thinking.

  • How have Misty’s life experiences shaped her perspective on dancing at ABT? How does her perspective differ from the other dancers? Provide specific evidence from page 208-209 to support your answer and explain your thinking.

  • Why is it so significant for Misty to tell the makeup artist, “I want to be a brown cat.” (p. 229)? Carefully explain your thinking.

Discussion Questions

  • On page 231, Copeland writes: “I had waited six long years, and now I was ready, not just to show the world that I was a gifted dancer but that I was a true artist as well.”

    What does she mean by this? What is the difference between being a “gifted dancer” and a “true artist”?

Vocabulary


Text-based

defiant

adj.

(p. 229)

 proudly refusing to obey; not willing to accept disapproval

Literary Terms

point of view/perspective

n.

1. a character’s opinion or feelings about a specific topic/idea/event

2. the "lens" through which a person sees and understands the world. This is usually influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences

Homework


  • Review prologue

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. 239 – 248

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What part is Misty cast as?

  • Why is this casting decision so significant?

  • What challenges does Misty face as she prepares for the role?

  • How does Misty feel before the performance?

  • How does Misty feel during the performance?

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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
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 8

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Lesson 10

Lesson Map

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