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Paired Texts > What a Pro Knows: Playing to Win

by Christine Louise Hohlbaum

2016

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

I Practiced

I Practiced

JonArno Lawson

In JonArno Lawson's poem "I Practiced," a speaker describes their experiences practicing to get better at a skill.

Pair “I Practiced” with “What a Pro Knows: Playing to Win” and ask students to discuss how hard work leads to success. How important do students think it was for Tamika Catchings to practice to achieve her dreams? Do students think it’s possible to improve at a skill without practicing? Why or why not?

4th Grade Poem
The Biggest Little Artist in the World

The Biggest Little Artist in the World

LeeAnn Blankenship

In "The Biggest Little Artist in the World," LeeAnn Blankenship discusses the famous microsculpture artist, Willard Wigan.

Pair “The Biggest Little Artist in the World” with “What a Pro Knows: Playing to Win” and ask students to discuss what it takes to succeed. What obstacles did Willard Wigan and Tamika Catchings face on their way to success? How did they beat these obstacles?

4th Grade Informational Text 860L
Reaching New Heights

Reaching New Heights

Marjorie Flintom

In the informational text "Reaching New Heights," Marjorie Flintom discusses the challenges Charlie Villanueva faced because of his skin disease and his later success as a basketball player.

Pair “What a Pro Knows: Playing to Win” with “Reaching New Heights” to provide students with information about another successful basketball player. Ask students to compare the challenges Tamika Catchings faced with Charlie Villanueva. How did Catchings and Villanueva develop a love for basketball? How did both eventually learn to accept the things that made them different?

4th Grade Informational Text 840L
Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Britannica Kids

In "Michael Jordan," Britannica Kids outlines the life and accomplishments of the famous athlete.

Pair “What A Pro Knows: Playing To Win” with “Michael Jordan” and talk about challenges. What challenges did Tamika Catchings in “What A Pro Knows: Playing To Win” face? What challenges did Michael Jordan in “Michael Jordan” face? How were their challenges alike or different?

3rd Grade Biography 970L