Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford illustrated by Raul Colón Grades K-4 • Ages 5-9 American opera legend Leontyne Price had a remarkable life journey that took her from Jim Crow Mississippi to the world’s most prestigious opera stages. Hers is the story of a girl with a remarkable voice, a passion for music, and the determination to realize her dream. In Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century, readers will discover how Price overcame racism and other obstacles, which made it nearly impossible for a black girl from the South to dream of being an opera singer. Prevail she did, becoming one of the world’s most beloved and celebrated international stars. Illustration © 2014 by Raul Colón This guide is aligned with the following Common Core curriculum standards for the fourth grade. If you teach another grade, you can easily find the relevant standards at CoreStandards.org. Key Ideas and Details (Reading Informational Text and Reading Literature): CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1, RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. Craft and Structure: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.D: Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.A: Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context. PRE-READING Examine the title page and discuss the following: • What does the subtitle, Voice of a Century, mean? • Point out the colorful, swirling lines. What might these bands of color represent? Listen to a recording of the spiritual “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Ask students to describe the song and the feelings it evokes. What are “big dreams”? Why are they important to have? CURRICULUM-CONNECTIONS DISCUSSION GUIDE Illustration © 2014 by Raul Colón 1. Study the illustration that opens the story. What information does the illustrator provide to help you understand the setting? 2. Discuss the meaning of this text in terms of race and segregation. The author writes, “The line between black and white was as wide as the Mississippi was long.” 3. Introduce the blues as a musical genre. Play examples of the blues to students and discuss the style, lyrics, and mood of this original American musical form. 4. Discuss what the author means by the phrase “the Mississippi Delta cradled misery” and why it is an example of personification. 5. How did Leontyne’s early family life help her to reach her potential and fulfill her dreams? What is meant by “Their song of encouragement rose above the color line”? 6. What does it mean to find your voice? How did Leontyne find her voice? 7. What character traits did she possess that helped her become an international opera star? Leontyne had a beautiful singing voice, but she didn’t achieve success by talent alone. 8. How did Marian Anderson’s example inspire young Leontyne? Discuss the line “Her song, like a torch, sparked a light in Leontyne.” Why was it so important for Leontyne to have an African American role model? 9. In 1939 Marian Anderson was barred from singing in a whites-only concert hall. Discuss the meaning of racial segregation. How did Marian Anderson’s experiences as a black artist “open the door” for Leontyne Price? 10. What is the difference between Broadway and grand opera? Why do you think Leontyne was permitted to star in a Broadway musical but not sing in an opera? 11. Study the picture of Leontyne performing at La Scala, Italy’s famed opera palace. How does the illustrator represent her powerful and beautiful voice? 12. Discuss the Jim Crow laws, which segregated African Americans. How did Leontyne’s appearance on American television change people’s feelings about segregation, discrimination, and racism? 13. What does the author mean by “As the Ethiopian princess, with her skin as her costume, she expressed her whole self thin”? 14. As Aida, how was Leontyne “standing on Marian’s shoulders”? 15. What does “the shadow” symbolize? 16. What does the author mean when she writes that Leontyne’s “song sure wasn’t the blues”? Prepared by Colleen Carroll, children’s book author, curriculum writer-developer, and education consultant, Sleepy Hollow, New York Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century Name: __________________________ EXPLORING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE In Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century, there are many phrases that describe the power and beauty of music. Pick one of the following lines from the book, and illustrate the picture it creates in your mind. 1. the song came through her fingertips. 2. Her song, like a torch, sparked a light in Leontyne. Illustration © 2014 by Raul Colón 3. her song rose to the rafters. 4. Her song scaled the six tiered balconies and brushed the gilded ceiling. Educators: Reproduce this sheet for your students. RandomHouseKids.com RHTeachersLibrarians.com Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century Name: __________________________ Part I. Overcoming Obstacles Leontyne Price had to overcome many obstacles throughout her life before she achieved success as an opera singer. Think about the obstacles Leontyne faced and overcame, and describe them in the chart below: Early Life Obstacles How She Overcame the Obstacles Student Life Professional Life (Career) Part II. Describe the lessons you have learned from Leontyne Price’s story that can help you overcome obstacles in your own life. Illustration © 2014 by Raul Colón Educators: Reproduce this sheet for your students. RandomHouseKids.com RHTeachersLibrarians.com.