Article
Mark Fredrickson
Paired Texts,

Bessie the Brave

How one daring pilot flew through the clouds and into history.

By Monique D. Hall | Art by Mark Fredrickson
From the February 2022 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will synthesize information from a nonfiction article about aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman and a set of historical documents from her life to learn about the inspiring history of the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot.

Complexity Factors
  • Purpose & Levels of Meaning
    The first text is an article about the life of Bessie Coleman, the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. The second text is a collection of four historical documents from Coleman’s life that supply additional details. On another level, the paired texts tell an inspiring story of bravery and determination.
  • Structure
    The first text consists of four sections. The article opens with a narrative passage from 1922, then moves back in time to the early 1900s. From this point on, the text is chronological, with primarily informational passages. The second text consists of four historical documents with captions.
  • Language
    The first article uses both straightforward and descriptive language. It’s written in the past tense and includes some challenging vocabulary words (plunging, determined, and pioneer). These vocabulary words are defined on the page. The second text uses straightforward language. The subhead and two of the captions each include a guiding question for readers. Both texts contain terms related to aviation that are defined within the text or can be readily understood using context clues.
  • Knowledge Demands
    Some familiarity with airplanes will aid comprehension. The text also refers to racism and segregation. The concept of segregation is simply defined and an example is used.
Lexiles: Easier Level, TK 600L-700L
Guided Reading Level: R
DRA Level: 40
Featured Skill: Synthesizing,
Other Key Skills: text features, vocabulary, cause and effect, main idea, summarizing, key idea, key details, interpreting text, inference, author’s craft, connecting to the text, explanatory writing
Standards
  • Common Core
    RI.1, RI.2, RI.3, RI.4, RI.5, RI.7, RI.9, W.2, SL.1, L.1
  • TEKS Grade 2
    1a, 1c, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 7b, 7c, 7f, 7g, 9d, 12b
Content-Area Connections
  • Social Studies
    civil rights, aviation pioneers
  • Social and Emotional Learning
    self-management (setting goals); relationship skills (standing up for others)

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Easier Level
Think and Read: Connecting the Texts

As you read, think about what the two texts tell you about Bessie Coleman.

GEORGE RINHART/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES

The pilot circled her plane above the crowd. The wind whistled in her ears. The air felt cold on her cheeks. Suddenly she dove her plane down, plunging toward the ground. The crowd gasped.

The year was 1922. Flying was extremely dangerous back then. Many airplanes didn’t have roofs, steering wheels, or even brakes. The pilot of the plane, Bessie Coleman, knew what she was doing though. At the very last second, she swooped back up into the sky! The crowd cheered!

Coleman was famous for her daring flight tricks. Only one year before, she had made history by becoming the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. But before she flew into history, she was a dreamer.

The pilot flew her plane above the crowd. The wind blew in her ears. The air felt cold on her cheeks. Suddenly, she dove her plane down, plunging toward the ground. The crowd watched in fear. 

The year was 1922. Flying was very unsafe back then. Many airplanes didn’t have roofs, steering wheels, or even brakes. The pilot of the plane knew what she was doing though. Her name was Bessie Coleman. At the very last second, she turned her plane around and flew it back up into the sky. The crowd cheered!

Coleman was famous for her daring flight tricks. In 1921, she made history when she became the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. Before that, she was a dreamer.

Off She Went

Off She Went

Coleman grew up in the early 1900s. She dreamed of becoming a pilot. But when she applied to flight schools, she faced racism and unfair treatment.Coleman was Black, Native American, and a woman. The schools told her no.

Coleman was determined though. She decided to go to flight school in France instead. She worked hard to save up money and to learn French. A year later, she got in. Off she went!

Coleman learned to fly from French pilots. In 1921, her hard work paid off. She earned her pilot’s license!

Coleman grew up in the early 1900s. She dreamed of becoming a pilot. So she applied to flight schools. But she faced racism and unfair treatment. Coleman was Black, Native American, and a woman. The schools told her no.

Coleman was determined though. She decided to go to flight school in France instead. She worked hard to save up money. She learned how to speak French. A year later, she got in. Off she went!

Coleman learned to fly from French pilots. In 1921, her hard work paid off. Coleman got her pilot’s license!

Brave Bessie

Brave Bessie

504 COLLECTION/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Inspiring Others

Astronaut Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to travelto space. She carried Coleman’s picture in her pocket on her spaceflight.

When Coleman came back to the U.S., she dreamed of opening a flight school for Black women. While working toward that goal, she becamea barnstormer—a pilot who performs daring tricks.

People came from all over the country to watch Coleman in air shows.She walked on the wings of her airplane while it was flying! She jumped from her plane and used a parachute to float down to the ground! People called her “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie.”

But Coleman was brave in another way too. She took a stand against segregating, or separating, Black people and White people. For example, some states had unjust laws that said Black people couldn’t enter places with White people. Black people were forced to use separate entrances. Coleman knew this was wrong. So she refused to fly in air shows unless everyone could walk through the same entrance together.

Coleman came back to the U.S. She dreamed of opening a flight school for Black women. While working toward that goal, she became a barnstormer. That’s a pilot who performs daring tricks. 

People came from all over to watch Coleman in air shows. Coleman walked on the wings of her airplane while it was flying! She jumped from her plane with a parachute! Then she floated down to the ground. People called her “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie.” 

Coleman was brave in another way too. She took a stand against segregating, or separating, Black people and White people. For example, some states had unjust laws. These laws said Black people couldn’t enter places with White people. Black people had to use separate entrances. Coleman knew that was wrong. So she wouldn’t fly in air shows unless everyone could use the same entrance.

Reach for the Sky

Reach for the Sky

Sadly, Coleman didn’t live long enough to open her flight school. But future pilots were inspired by her bravery. And flight clubs for Black women were opened in her honor.

Today, Coleman is remembered as a pioneer. She overcame many challenges and became the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. And she continues to inspire people to follow their dreams and reach for the sky.

Sadly, Coleman died before she could open her flight school. But future pilots were inspired by her bravery. And flight clubs for Black women were opened to honor her. 

Today, Coleman is remembered as a pioneer. She overcame many challenges. She became the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. She still inspires people to follow their dreams and reach for the sky.

Bessie Up Close! 

Look at these historical documents. What do they tell you about Bessie Coleman’s life?

By Tricia Culligan

COURTESY OF THOMAS D. AND VERA JEAN RAMEY

This is a picture of Coleman’s passport. Coleman used her passport to travel to France to go to flight school.


SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM: FÉDÉRATION AÉRONAUTIQUE INTERNATIONALE/VIA WIKIPEDIA

This is a picture of Coleman’s pilot’s license. Where did she receive her license?


PICTORIAL PRESS LTD/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Here Coleman stands with her plane. How is this plane different from most planes today?


BLACK FILM CENTER ARCHIVE/INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON

This flyer announces one of Coleman’s famous air shows. (An aviatrix is a female airplane pilot.)


THINK AND WRITE

Using details from both texts, write a paragraph explaining who Bessie Coleman was and what she is remembered for.

THINK AND WRITE

Using details from both texts, write a paragraph explaining who Bessie Coleman was and what she is remembered for.

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Skills Activities
Quizzes (1)
Answer Key (1)
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Slideshows (2)
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Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Watch Barnstormers in Action

Enthrall your students with this 1-minute video showing vintage footage of 10-year-old Mildred Unger dancing on top of an airborne plane. If your class wants to view more barnstorming from the 1920s, show them portions of this longer 8-minute video of daring aerial stunts.

Watch a Video About Bessie Coleman

Your students can learn more about Coleman’s life in this 3-minute animated video.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Preparing to Read

2. Close Reading

3. SEL Focus

4. Skill Building and Writing

5. Differentiate and Customize

Striving Readers, Multilingual Learners, Advanced Readers, Independent Learning

1. Preparing to Read

Build Background Knowledge/Set a Purpose for Reading/Preview Text Features (10 minutes)  

  • Show students the 4-minute video “History Takes Flight” to provide background knowledge about aviation. Inform students that the Paired Texts tell more about one of the aviation pioneers mentioned in the video. 

  • Look at page 16 with the class. Point out the labels “Paired Texts” and “One topic, two stories.” Have a volunteer read aloud the headlines on pages 16-17 and on page 18. Point out the images that accompany the texts. Then ask students to identify the topic of each story. (The first tells the history of aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman, and the second showcases some historical documents from Coleman’s life.)

  • Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 17 and the Think and Write box on page 19. As students read the pairing, remind them to look for details in both texts that tell about Coleman’s life and accomplishments.

Introduce Vocabulary (15 minutes)

  • We have highlighted in bold three specific terms that may be challenging and defined each on the bottom of the page on which it appears: plunging, determined, and pioneer.

  • Preview these terms by projecting or distributing our Vocabulary Skill Builder and completing it as a class. You may also play our Vocabulary Slideshow, in which audio and images help students with pronunciation and comprehension.

2. Close Reading

Reading and Unpacking the Text

  • First read: Students should read the articles one time for general comprehension. 

  • Second read: Project, distribute, or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions to the class. Preview them together. Ask students to read the articles again and answer the questions as a class or in pairs. (Alternatively, assign all or part of the Learning Journey Slide Deck, which contains the questions as well as other activities from this lesson plan and a link to the stories.) 

  • Follow up with the SEL Focus activity.

Close-Reading Questions (30 minutes)

  • Why was it dangerous to fly airplanes in 1922? (cause and effect) In 1922, flying was dangerous because many airplanes didn’t have roofs, steering wheels, or brakes.
  • How did Bessie Coleman make history in 1921? (main idea) In 1921, Bessie Coleman made history when she became the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot.
  • Read “Off She Went.” What did Coleman do when she was rejected from flight school in America? What does this tell you about her character? (summarizing, key idea) When Coleman was rejected from American flight schools, she worked hard to go to school in France instead. She saved enough money to pay for flight school and learned French. This tells you that Coleman was determined and hardworking. 
  • Read “Brave Bessie.” What was Coleman’s goal after returning to the U.S.? (key details) Coleman’s goal was to open a flight school for Black women.
  • Why is “Brave Bessie” a good title for this section? (interpreting text, main idea) Answers will vary but may be similar to: “Brave Bessie” is a good title for this section because it describes how Coleman was brave in two ways. She showed bravery as she performed daring tricks with her plane. She also showed bravery by taking a stand against segregation. She refused to fly in air shows unless Black people and White people could walk through the same entrance gate together.
  • Read “Reach for the Sky.” Then read the “Inspiring Others” caption next to the photo of astronaut Mae Jemison. Why do you think Jemison carried Coleman’s picture in her pocket on her spaceflight? (text features, inference) Astronaut Mae Jemison probably carried Coleman’s picture because she was inspired by Coleman’s bravery and flying skills.
  • Look at the photographs and read the captions in “Bessie Up Close.” Answer the question in the caption for the picture of Coleman’s pilot’s license. Where did she receive her license? (text features, key details) Coleman received her pilot’s license in France, where she went to flight school.
  • Look at the photo of Coleman standing on her plane. What does it help you imagine about the daring tricks she performed in her air shows? (text features) Answers will vary but might be similar to: The photo of Coleman standing on her plane helps you imagine how dangerous her tricks were. For example, the plane looks like it would be hard to climb out of while it was flying to walk on the wings.

Critical-Thinking Questions (10 minutes)

  • Why does the author call Coleman a dreamer? Did her dreams come true? (author’s craft, main idea) The author calls Coleman a dreamer because Coleman had big dreams for her life. She was able to work hard and overcome obstacles to make some of those dreams come true. When she was young, Coleman wanted to become a pilot. She accomplished her dream of attending flight school and earning a pilot’s license by going to France. She also had the dream of opening a flight school for Black women. Sadly, she died before making this dream come true. Flight clubs for Black women were opened in her honor, though. And many people, like Mae Jemison, were inspired by Coleman’s life to follow their own dreams.
  • Think about the last line of the article. Does Bessie Coleman’s life inspire you to follow your dreams and “reach for the sky”? Use details from both texts in your answer. (connecting to the text) Answers will vary. 

3. SEL Focus

Determination

Bessie Coleman had big dreams, most of which she was able to achieve because of her determination. Ask students to identify Coleman’s goals from the paired texts (to become a pilot; to open a flight school for Black women), what obstacles stood in her way, and how she worked to overcome them. Invite students to think about a time in their lives they worked hard to achieve a goal. Perhaps they learned to ride a bike, memorized the multiplication table, or learned to dribble a basketball. Did they have to overcome obstacles along the way? How did being determined help them push through the difficulties they faced in order to reach their goals? Share an example from your own life with your students and invite them to share as well.  

4. Skill Building and Writing

Featured Skill: Synthesizing

 

  • Distribute our Synthesizing Skill Builder and have students complete it in class or for homework.  
  • Discuss the writing assignment in the Think and Write box on page 19. Remind students to include details from both articles in their paragraphs.

Differentiate and Customize
For Striving Readers

Have students read or listen to the Easier version of the articles. Ask them to underline details that show why Coleman is someone we should remember and honor. Then gather students to share the details they found. Have a group discussion about the question posed in the Think and Write: Who was Bessie Coleman and what is she remembered for? Remote-learning tip: When students read the articles online in Presentation View, they can use the highlighter tool to mark the text.

For Multilingual Learners

The paired texts include a variety of lively action words (circled, whistled, dove, plunging, gasped, swooped, cheered, walked, jumped, and float) that may be unfamiliar to your multilingual learners. Help solidify the words’ meanings by having students act them out. Go over each word and its definition. Have students take turns acting out a word while their classmates guess which one it is. 

For Advanced Readers

Instruct students to watch the slideshow “Firsts in Flight” and choose another aviation pioneer to research. Ask students to write a paragraph or two telling what they learned about their aviation pioneer and why he or she was important. Invite students to share their research with the class.

For Independent Learning

We’ve created a Choice Board especially for this article that offers six varied activities for students. Students can do one activity or more, working at their own pace. Most of the activities on the Choice Board can be done away from a computer or other screen. 

Text-to-Speech