GRADE 4
What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan written by Chris Barton; illustrated by Ekua Holmes
AT A GLANCE As a child in Texas, Barbara Jordan had a strong voice—and she knew how to use it to communicate clearly and inspire audiences. During the 1960s, Barbara used her voice to carve a path as a lawyer straight into politics. Barbara’s intelligence, eloquence, and determination led her to be elected to serve in the Texas state Congress and then the United States Congress. As a public servant, she fought for equality and justice, using her voice to speak up for those who did not have one. Genre/Text Type: Biography/Picture Book Strategy Focus: Make Inferences Social-Emotional Focus: Social Awareness INTRODUCE THE BOOK Display the front cover to students. Explain that in this is a biography of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who was a hero to many Americans. In the 1960s–1970s, she laid the groundwork for women and African Americans to hold positions in the state and federal government. Ask: Why do you think the title of this book highlights Barbara Jordan’s voice? How might someone who is a powerful speaker affect the lives of others? Let’s read to find out! DURING READING As you read the book, pause to discuss the questions below. Encourage students to turn and talk with partners or share their thinking with the whole group. pp. 4–7 Even when she was young, Barbara Jordan had a “big, bold, booming, crisp, clear, confident voice.” What are some of the ways she used her voice as a young woman? How do you think she might use it when she is older? (key ideas and details, make predictions) pp. 8–15 Barbara keeps studying and starts to use her voice to make a difference. How does Barbara’s education in law school help her as she gets involved in politics? (connect events) pp. 16–21 Once she is elected, Barbara gets to know her colleagues in the Texas state Senate. Why do you think Barbara spends time with her colleagues outside of work? How do you think this helps her when she advocates for changes in the government? (make inferences) pp. 22–30 Barbara defends the U.S. Constitution during a difficult time in the government. How does what she said on television affect national events? What does the phrase “She shone like a bright light in a dark place” mean? (connect events, make inferences) pp. 31–39 Barbara works hard to help others by using her voice, even while she is fighting a private battle with her health. She then becomes a teacher. How is her work as a teacher similar to her work as a politician? How is it different? (compare and contrast) pp. 40–45 Barbara Jordan’s legacy lives on through her students and others that help to make people’s lives better. How can you make your own voice heard? (make inferences, make connections)
Rising Voices Theme Heroes and Role Models Note to the Teacher • Read-Aloud Tip Change the word you most emphasize in the question “What do you do with a voice like that?” each time you read it in the text. • Language Support In this book, the word voice is used in multiple ways. Explain to students that a voice can be a sound that you make when speaking, the way in which you express your feelings about something, or an inner voice that helps you decide what is the best thing for you to do. • Background Barbara Jordan was the first African American woman from a Southern state to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout her six years in office she had a huge impact. She negotiated compromises across political parties, and her speech during the hearings for President Nixon is considered one of the most influential speeches in U.S. history. Vocabulary oratory (p. 8) public speaking stirring (p. 10) causing strong emotions debate (p. 13) to publicly argue for or against something
What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?
AFTER READING
Strategy Focus: Make Inferences Say: Authors give readers clues so readers can make inferences about the people, places, and events in a text. When readers make inferences, they use details from the text and their own experiences to come up with new understandings. When you make inferences, it helps you better understand the people and events in the book and connect things from the text to things that you know based on your own experience. Extend Learning Write About Values Remind students that when Barbara Jordan was a teacher, she taught her students about the importance of equality, justice, and trust. Invite students to write about what these three values mean to them and why they are important values to have. (opinion) Book Club Discussion Have students meet in small groups to think about the text and discuss the questions below. You may wish to provide the questions on cards or print them out from the website for students to use. • Heroes and Role Models Barbara Jordan used her knowledge and powerful voice to help others throughout her life. How does the way in which the author emphasizes her communication skills help you understand why Barbara’s work was so important? Whom do you know that reminds you of Barbara Jordan? What characteristics does that person have? • Your Inner Voice Barbara Jordan is guided by her inner voice to stand up for the people she represents and then to take care of herself when she becomes ill. Your inner voice helps you know what is right for you to do when you may be faced with a choice. Why do you think Barbara’s inner voice led her to becoming a teacher after she was in the U.S. House of Representatives? When has your own inner voice helped you figure out the right thing for you to do?
Revisit and read aloud pages 12–17. Ask: When Barbara Jordan filled in for another speaker at an event, why do you think the audience trusted her? Why do you think that Barbara continued to run for political office even though she lost the first two times she ran? Invite students to turn and talk with a partner. Then as a class, discuss which clues helped them make inferences to understand why Barbara Jordan ran for public office.
Build Social-Emotional Awareness Say: Barbara Jordan’s strong sense of self and what she stood for had a broad impact on her life and the lives of many others. When she saw injustice, she worked hard to change it so that people were treated fairly. How did Barbara Jordan show empathy and compassion through her work? Why is it important to speak up for others who cannot speak for themselves or make themselves heard? How does taking the perspective of others help you understand what they need and how to best help them? Have students turn and talk with a partner. Then select a few students to share their thinking with the class. ( CASEL Competency social awareness) Mock Debate Remind students that in debates, points of view are presented to indicate whether someone supports or opposes something and why. Explain that students will do a mock debate in which they will argue for or against a topic. Invite the class to suggest topics to debate. Then put students into groups of four. Give each group a topic and determine which groups will agree with the proposed idea and which groups will oppose the topic. Allow students to work together to create their arguments. Then have students present their arguments for the class. Once groups have presented both sides of the issue, have the class vote on which argument was stronger.
Connect to the Internet More About the Illustrator Visit this site to share with students more art by Ekua Holmes: www.ekuaholmes.com . Click on the “Art” tab. Then select “Illustration.” More About Barbara Jordan Visit the following site to show students a video about Barbara Jordan and to hear her giving a speech: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYGDN8zmEhA .
Rising Voices: Celebrating Girls of Color
Item# 750607 4683-12 5/22
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