![]() ![]() I was disappointed to find that it was easier to find cartoon videos starring frogs and bears than it was to find a little Black boy or girl stretching and jumping at the barre. I found many different videos to choose from – but not one was taught by, or even featured, a person of color. While they enjoyed checkout and some quiet reading time, I hopped onto YouTube to try to find a quick ballet class or example for students to try. After watching Misty perform, my students were curious about ballet and wanted to try it themselves. ![]() We had a fun conversation about how dancing is for everyone – boys and girls, big and small, skin of all colors – if they are willing to be patient and work hard.īut the class came with it’s challenges, too. The class moved their arms and pointed their toes as we watched a video compilation of Misty Copeland dancing different routines and shows. ![]() During one class’ readaloud, an excited kindergartener cried, “That ballerina has a ponytail and brown skin just like mine! I’m a ballerina too!” The book is beautiful and the class loved learning about Misty and her difficult path to become a principal dancer for the American Ballet Company. Readers and I shared Misty Copeland’s picture book Firebird this week, illustrated by Christopher Myers. ![]()
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