Pro/Con Athletes Kneeling

What does the author mean by “hold a mirror up” in the following sentence? (RI 2.4)

“They have dared to hold a mirror up to the rest of us, urging us to do better as a nation. It is our loss if we refuse to listen.”

• Ask for forgiveness

• Demand self-reflection

• Beware of broken glass

• Look at our appearance

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Select two central ideas of the text “PRO: Pro players got us talking about an important issue.” (RI 1.2)

• Colin Kaepernick is a national hero.

• The Vietnam War caused a lot of controversy in America.

• The Cardinal were a diverse baseball team in the 1960’s.

• Professional athletes have a history of standing up for racial equality.

• As Americans, we should be inspired by these athletes’ message for social change.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Select two sentences to support the central ideas for the PRO section of the text.

• “In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.”

• “Their roster not only included blacks and whites, but Latinos, too.”

• “Time and again, the sports world’s best athletes have led by example.”

• “Chip Kelly, Kaepernick’s coach, said that his quarterback’s decision was “his right as a citizen.

• “They have dared to hold a mirror up to the rest of us, urging us to do better as a nation. It is our loss if we refuse to listen.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

What is the author’s purpose for writing the section “Standing on and Athlete’s Stage”? (RI 2.5)

• To explain the disagreement between Gibson and McCarver.

• To explain why athletes should not kneel during the national anthem.

• To give examples of athletes leading by example on controversial issues.

• To show that athletes have always successfully taken a stand against racial inequalities.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

How does the author of the PRO article develop the purpose? (RI 2.6)

• By listing other ways athletes can protest.

• By explaining the reasons athletes are protesting.

• By discussing the injustice that keeps the conversations going.

• By giving examples of specific athletes that have taken a stand against racial inequality.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

Read the following excerpt from the text:

A half-century ago, the St. Louis Cardinals were one of the best teams in baseball, for a number of reasons. Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson once said the Cardinals “were the rainbow coalition of baseball.” Their roster not only included blacks and whites, but Latinos, too.

In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The next morning, Gibson, who is black, got into a heated conversation about racial equality with his catcher, Tim McCarver, who is white. Years later, McCarver wrote, “Bob and I reached a meeting of the minds that morning. That was the kind of talk we often had on the Cardinals.”

Select a sentence where the author uses an external viewpoint to distinguish and reveal his or her own. (RI 2.6)

• “In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.”

• “Their roster not only included blacks and whites, but Latinos, too.”

• “A half-century ago, the St. Louis Cardinals were one of the best teams in baseball, for a number of reasons.”

• “Years later, McCarver wrote, “Bob and I reached a meeting of the minds that morning. That was the kind of talk we often had on the Cardinals.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

What does the author mean by “stand a little taller” in the following sentence? (RI 2.4)

If some athletes continue to kneel during the national anthem, those of us who still take pride in America should stand a little taller.

• not slouch

• stand on a chair

• show extra pride

• grow a few inches

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

What effect does the phrase "stand a little taller" have on the author’s tone?

• It shows the division of athletes in America.

• It highlights the impact the protests have on Americans.

• It emphasizes the pride that Americans have in their country.

• It displays the importance of the national anthem during sporting events.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does the viewpoint of the PRO author compare with the viewpoint of the CON author? (RI 2.6)

• Both support Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem.

• Both support professional athletes’ opposition to racial inequality.

• Both agree that Kaepernick’s protest creates an opportunity for future generations.

• Both agree that professional athletes should donate to charities that focus on racial issues.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

In which of the following sentences does the CON author acknowledge two different points of view? (RI 2.6)

• It is true that America has at times failed to live up to its ideals, but it has also made progress.

• If famous athletes want to make a difference, there are better ways than protesting the national anthem.

• If some athletes continue to kneel during the national anthem, those of us who still take pride in America should stand a little taller.

• Kaepernick’s position is more high-profile, though and his actions have sparked similar protests everywhere from high schools to professional leagues.