LESSON 18 TEACHER’S GUIDE
Maria Tallchief:
American Ballerina
by Miki Terasawa
Fountas-Pinnell Level P
Biography
Selection Summary
Maria Tallchief was the first world-famous American ballerina and a
proud member of the Osage Native American tribe of Oklahoma.
Number of Words: 1,355
Characteristics of the Text
Genre
Text Structure
Content
Themes and Ideas
Language and
Literary Features
Sentence Complexity
Vocabulary
Words
Illustrations
Book and Print Features
• Biography
• Third-person narration
• Straightforward, factual presentation in chronological order
• Life and accomplishments of Maria Tallchief
• Tallchief’s Osage heritage
• Russian influence on ballet presented challenge for Tallchief
• Being proud of one’s heritage
• Excellent instruction, hard work, and endless practice are necessary to achieve success.
• Artistic insight can be gained by a willingness to learn difficult things.
• Descriptive details
• Several short quotations
• Mix of simple and complex sentences
• Introductory words and phrases; phrases in apposition, phrases in a series
• Many short, declarative sentences
• Terms and names associated with Osage culture: Osage Nation, powwows, elders, reservation
• Terms associated with ballet: The Firebird, Bronislava Nijinska, Ballet Russe de Monte
Carlo, Swan Lake, George Balanchine, choreographer, ballerina
• Multisyllable words: important, twentieth, choreographers
• Pronunciation provided for foreign names
• Color and black-and-white photos
• Thirteen pages of text, eleven with illustrations
• Sidebar, section headings, captions
© 2006. Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. Teaching for Comprehending and Fluency, Heinemann, Portsmouth, N.H.
Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner unless such copying is expressly
permitted by federal copyright law.
Permission is hereby granted to individual teachers using the corresponding (discipline) Leveled Readers to photocopy student worksheets from this publication
in classroom quantities for instructional use and not for resale. Requests for information on other matters regarding duplication of this work should be
addressed to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Attn: Contracts, Copyrights, and Licensing, 9400 SouthPark Center Loop, Orlando, Florida 32819.
Printed in the U.S.A.
978-0-547-30948-4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0940 15 14 13 12 11 10 09
If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company retains title to the materials and
they may not be resold. Resale of examination copies is strictly prohibited.
Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or any portion of it, into electronic format.
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 1
11/4/09 5:59:19 PM
Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
by Miki Terasawa
Build Background
Help students use their knowledge of dance to visualize the biography. Build interest by
asking questions such as the following: What makes ballet different from other kinds
of dancing? How do you think it is different from traditional Native American dancing?
Read the title and author and talk about the cover photograph. Explain that this book is a
biography of the famous American ballerina Maria Tallchief. Ask students what kinds of
information they might expect to find in a biography of a ballerina.
Introduce the Text
Guide students through the text, noting important ideas, and helping with unfamiliar
language and vocabulary so they can read the text successfully. Here are some
suggestions:
Page 2: Have students read the heading and caption. Suggested language:
Why do you think the book starts with a specific date? How does this show the
importance of that date in Maria Tallchief’s life or in her career as a ballerina?
Pages 4–5: Have students read the heading and caption. Page 4 tells of Maria
Tallchief’s childhood. Call attention to the illustration. When Tallchief was a girl, it
was against the law to wear Osage dress or join in gatherings called powwows.
Unjust laws were leading toward the destruction of Osage culture. The Osage
practiced their traditions in secret. Ask: How might seeing traditional Osage dances
have influenced Tallchief in her career as a ballerina?
Page 7: Why might someone enjoy an art like ballet, even though it required
endless practice?
Now turn back to the beginning of the book and read to find out how Betty Marie
Tall Chief became famous.
Target Vocabulary
background – a person’s heritage
or experiences, p. 4
formula – a set of rules or steps
to produce a desired result
publication – printed material for
sale or distribution
career – a job that becomes a
person’s lifework, p. 2
household – the people who live
together in a residence
required – something that is
necessary or called for, p. 7
destruction – damage, ruin, p. 5
insights – ideas about the true
nature of a situation, p. 10
uneventful – nothing of
significance taking place
edition – a printing or version of
a publication
Grade 5
2
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 2
11/4/09 5:59:34 PM
Read
Have students read silently while you listen to individual students read aloud. Support their
understanding of the text as needed.
Remind students to use the Analyze/Evaluate Strategy
carefully about the text and forming an opinion about it.
by thinking
Discuss and Revisit the Text
Personal Response
Invite students to share their personal responses to the biography.
Suggested language: How do you think Maria Tallchief felt after successfully performing
The Firebird?
Ways of Thinking
As you discuss the text, help students understand these points:
Thinking Within the Text
Thinking Beyond the Text
Thinking About the Text
• Tallchief’s father was an Osage,
and her childhood was spent on
a reservation and then in Los
Angeles.
• It is essential to maintain a
positive attitude.
• Tallchief’s biography is easy
to follow because it is told
in chronological order, with
headings indicating major
developments in her life and
career.
• Tallchief had an excellent
Russian teacher and practiced
long hours to perfect her
dancing.
• Take advantage of every
opportunity offered to you.
• Be proud of your heritage.
• Close-up photos of Tallchief as a
young and a mature woman and
photos of her role in The Firebird
help the reader connect with her
as a person and visualize her
dynamic appeal as a dancer.
• The choreographer George
Balanchine focused public
attention on Tallchief’s talent.
© 2006. Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. Teaching for Comprehending and Fluency, Heinemann, Portsmouth, N.H.
Choices for Further Support
• Fluency Invite students to choose a passage from the text to read aloud. Suggest that
they try reading the passage as if they were the narrator in a TV documentary about
Maria Tallchief.
• Comprehension Based on your observations of the students’ reading and discussion,
revisit parts of the text to clarify or extend comprehension. Remind students to go
back to the text to support their ideas.
• Phonics/Word Work Provide practice as needed with words and word parts, using
examples from the text. Point out the differences in pronunciation for the letter g. On
page 3, point out that the word great has the g sound and legendary has the j sound.
On page 4, background has the g sound and Osage has the j sound. Ask students to
identify the sound the g makes in the words Los Angeles and organized (p. 6).
Grade 5
3
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 3
11/4/09 5:59:41 PM
Writing about Reading
Critical Thinking
Have students complete the Critical Thinking questions on BLM 18.7.
Responding
Have students complete the activities at the back of the book, using their Reader’s
Notebook. Use the instruction below as needed to reinforce or extend understanding of
the comprehension skill.
Target Comprehension Skill
Fact and Opinion
Remind students that in a biography they will read
both facts and opinions about the subject of the book. How can they tell fact from
opinion? A fact can be proved to be true. An opinion is what someone thinks or believes
is true. Model how to add details to the Graphic Organizer, using a “Think Aloud” like the
one below:
Think Aloud
The statement listed under “Fact” can be proven because dates and
places of birth can be checked. What opinions does the author give about
Maria Tallchief? Page 7 states that Betty Marie did not mind hard work.
That may be true, but no one can prove how Betty Marie felt. So list that
statement under “Opinion” in the chart.
Practice the Skill
Have students share an example of another book in which fact and opinion can be
separated.
Writing Prompt: Thinking Beyond the Text
Have students write a response to the prompt on page 6. Remind them that when they
think beyond the text, they use their personal knowledge to reach new understandings.
Assessment Prompts
• How does the author organize the information about Tallchief’s life in this book?
• What is the meaning of insight on page 10?
• Which sentences on page 8 show how Maria Tallchief felt about her Native American
background?
Grade 5
4
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 4
11/4/09 5:59:58 PM
English Language Development
Reading Support Pair advanced and intermediate readers to read the text softly, or
have students listen to the audio or online recordings. Remind them that Maria Tallchief
had an excellent Russian teacher and practiced long hours to become a successful dancer.
Vocabulary Remind students that when they come across an unfamiliar word, they
should look for clues to its meaning in nearby words and phrases. Have them find context
clues for the following words in the text: ballet (p. 2), reservation (p. 4), powwows (p. 5),
and choreographer (p. 9).
Oral Language Development
Check student comprehension, using a dialogue that best matches your students’
English proficiency level. Speaker 1 is the teacher, Speaker 2 is the student.
Beginning/Early Intermediate
Intermediate
Early Advanced/ Advanced
Speaker 1: What kind of dancing did
Maria Tallchief do?
Speaker 1: Why did the Ballet Russe’s
director ask Tallchief to change her
name to “Tallchieva”?
Speaker 1: Why was Tallchief’s
Osage name, meaning “Princess
Two-Standards,” especially
appropriate for her?
Speaker 2: ballet
Speaker 1: Where did Tallchief see
Osage elders perform dances?
Speaker 2: at powwows
Speaker 1: What ballet made Maria
Tallchief a star?
Speaker 2: The Firebird
Speaker 2: It sounded Russian, and he
believed that dancers needed a Russian
name to be successful.
Speaker 1: Why did Tallchief join George
Balanchine’s dance company in New
York?
Speaker 2: Tallchief reached a
high standard in two different
and separate worlds, the world of
the Osage Nation and the world
of ballet.
Speaker 2: She loved his ballets, and he
created starring roles for her.
Lesson 18
Name
BLACKLINE MASTER 18.7
Date
Critical Thinking
Maria Tallchief:
American Ballerina
Critical Thinking
Read and answer the questions. Possible responses shown.
1. Think within the text Who was Maria Tallchief?
the first world-famous American ballerina
2. Think within the text What was Maria Tallchief’s first teacher’s
advice to her? What do you think it meant?
“When you sleep, sleep like a ballerina. Even on the street waiting
for a bus, stand like a ballerina.” It meant she should be graceful
and never stop practicing.
3. Think beyond the text How did Maria Tallchief’s success probably
change opinions about American ballerinas?
Before her success, there had been no truly great American
ballerinas. After her success, American ballerinas were probably
taken much more seriously. She proved Americans could dance.
4. Think about the text Analyze Maria Tallchief’s story. What do you
think was the most important event that shaped her career? Is your
answer a fact or an opinion? Explain.
I think moving to New York to join George Balanchine’s company
was the most important event because she got to dance The
Firebird. This helped to make her famous. My answer is an
opinion.
Making Connections Maria Tallchief refused to change her last name
because it was part of her heritage. What is one thing about you that you
would not change? Explain your answer.
Write your answer in your Reader’s Notebook.
Critical Thinking
9
Grade 5, Unit 4: What’s Your Story?
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
09_5_246253RTXEAN_L18.indd 9
Grade 5
5
11/25/09 9:53:30 PM
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
First Pass
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 5
1/6/10 7:37:45 PM
Name
Date
Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
Thinking Beyond the Text
Think about the questions below. Then write your answer in one or two
paragraphs.
Remember that when you think beyond the text, you use your personal
knowledge to reach new understandings.
As a child, Maria Tallchief lived on an Osage reservation, far from the world
of ballet. How do you think she became the first world-famous American
ballerina? What personal qualities helped her achieve success? What advice
do you think she might give to a young dancer who was just beginning a
dance career? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Grade 5
6
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 6
7/28/09 6:38:36 PM
Lesson 18
Name
BLACKLINE MASTER 18.7
Date
Critical Thinking
Maria Tallchief,
American Ballerina
Critical Thinking
Read and answer the questions.
1. Think within the text Who was Maria Tallchief?
2. Think within the text What was Maria Tallchief’s first teacher’s
advice to her? What do you think it meant?
3. Think beyond the text How did Maria Tallchief’s success probably
change opinions about American ballerinas?
4. Think about the text Analyze Maria Tallchief’s story. What do you
think was the most important event that shaped her career? Is your
answer a fact or an opinion? Explain.
Making Connections Maria Tallchief refused to change her last name
because it was part of her heritage. What is one thing about you that you
would not change? Explain your answer.
Write your answer in your Reader’s Notebook.
Grade 5
7
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 7
1/6/10 7:37:59 PM
Student
Lesson 18
Date
BLACKLINE MASTER 18.11
Maria Tallchief
American Ballerina • LEVEL P
page
4
Maria Tallchief
American Ballerina
Running Record Form
Selection Text
Errors
Self-Corrections
Accuracy Rate
Total SelfCorrections
Maria Tallchief was born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief on January
24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma. Her parents, Alexander and
Ruth Tall Chief, called her “Betty Marie.” A younger sister,
Marjorie, was born two years later.
The little town of Fairfax was part of a Native American
reservation. The reservation was home to the Osage Nation.
Betty Marie’s father, Alexander Tall Chief, was an important
member of the Osage tribe. Her mother, Ruth Tall Chief, was of
Irish and Scottish background.
The Tall Chief home also included Marjorie and Betty Marie’s
grandmother, Eliza Tall Chief. Grandma Tall Chief was a
traditional Osage woman.
Comments:
(# words read
correctly/102 ×
100)
%
Read word correctly
Code
✓
cat
Repeated word,
sentence, or phrase
®
Omission
—
cat
cat
Grade 5
Behavior
Error
0
0
Substitution
Code
cut
cat
1
Self-corrects
cut sc
cat
0
Insertion
the
1
cat
Error
1414369
Behavior
ˆ
Word told
1
8
T
cat
1
Lesson 18: Maria Tallchief: American Ballerina
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5_309484_BL_LRTG_L18_Tallchief.indd 8
7/28/09 6:38:38 PM