Lesson Plan	Materials
Accommodations for Struggling Students	Additional Resources

LESSON PLAN:

Overview: In this lesson, students will become familiar with the characteristics of autobiography.  They will answer questions as they listen to the picture book Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief.  

Procedure:

1. Show the students the transparency of the Elements of Autobiography and discuss each element.
   
   

2. Have the students clear everything off their desks.  Read Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina to them, being sure to show the pictures.  (Do NOT read the introduction by R.W. at this point. Also, do not mention that Rosemary Wells is the co-author.)
   
   

3. Give each student a graphic organizer, and have them fill it in while you read the story a second time, again showing pictures.  Read the story a third time if necessary.
   
   

4. Have the students share answers, and fill in the graphic organizer on the transparency.  Have the students fill in additional information on their own graphic organizers.
   
   

5. Now go back and read the introduction by R.W. in Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina.  Be sure to point out that this introduction is not written by Maria Tallchief, and therefore not autobiographical.  At this point you explain that Rosemary Wells helped Maria Tallchief write the story, but it is Maria’s story in Maria’s words.

	After reading the story the second time through, read it again so the students can get as many notes as possible.
	If possible, provide extra copies of Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina to struggling students, either individually or in pairs, to make note-taking easier for them.
	Call on the struggling students first to ensure they have a chance to respond without someone else sharing their answers first.

	Autobiography Chart
	Elements of Autobiography

 

	Maria Tallchief -- found at National Women's Hall of Fame
	Maria Tallchief -- found at Ballerina Gallery
	Maria Tallchief -- image found at Roger Gross, Ltd.