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My Jump Shot-Student Copy 1

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3K views

My Jump Shot-Student Copy 1

Uploaded by

mannygermame7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Class:

My Jump Shot
By Clint Smith
2016 This poem has one long stanza!

Clint Smith is an award-winning author and poet whose writing often focuses on issues facing
Black Americans today. In "My Jump Shot," the speaker describes their jump shot, a basketball
shot released from the high point of a jump.

As you read, take notes on how the tone of the poem changes.

[1] My jump shot be


all elbow and no wrist.
My jump shot be
asking what a follow through is.
[5] My jump shot be
hard to look at.
My jump shot be
Medusa.1
My jump shot be
[10] the leftovers you don’t really want to eat.
My jump shot be "Untitled" by Ahmet Kurt is licensed under CC0.
the fridge that don’t work.
My jump shot be
the sour milk in your cereal.
[15] My jump shot be
getting picked last by the other jump shots.
My jump shot be
old spaghetti.
My jump shot be
[20] gluten-free.
My jump shot be
Michael Jordan2 when he was seven.
My jump shot be
spending too much time in the library.
[25] My jump shot be
making everybody else feel better about their jump shot.

1. a woman from Greek mythology who turned people to stone when they looked at her
2. a famous basketball athlete

1
My jump shot be
asking why we didn’t stick to soccer.
My jump shot be
[30] code-switching.3
My jump shot be
making people nervous just because it’s a jump shot.
My jump shot be
the only jump shot in class.
[35] My jump shot be
getting asked to speak on behalf of all the other jump shots.
My jump shot be
wondering why people think all jump shots are the same.
My jump shot be
[40] explaining how jump shots come in all shapes and sizes.
My jump shot be
sounding like it’s talking about snowflakes.
My jump shot be
a snowflake.
[45] My jump shot be
a home.
My jump shot be
the only jump shot I’ve ever had.

"My Jump Shot" by Clint Smith. Excerpted from the book Counting Descent by Clint Smith. Copyright
© 2016 by Clint Smith. Reprinted by permission of The Gernert Company, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

3. the ways in which a person of an underrepresented group adjusts their speech, behavior,
and appearance to fit into the dominant culture

2
Text-Dependent Questions
Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete
sentences.

1. What is the central idea of the poem?


A. The speaker learns to perfect their jump shot by practicing repeatedly until
they improve.
B. The speaker hides practicing their jump shot in order to surprise others
with their improvement.
C. The speaker decides to play a sport that makes them happy rather than
keep playing basketball.
D. The speaker appreciates their identity even though it might not match
others' assumptions about them.

2. How do lines 29-32 develop the meaning of the poem?


A. They describe a common experience for a minority person in majority
spaces.
B. They explain the benefits of having friends who can teach you how to play
sports.
C. They demonstrate how performing poorly at something can make you feel
nervous.
D. They emphasize the importance of staying true to your identity when
others are uncomfortable.

3. What is the meaning of lines 35-38?


A. The speaker feels honored to share their jump shot skills.
B. The speaker feels frustrated by a lack of awareness and sensitivity.
C. The speaker feels eager to share their opinions with the community.
D. The speaker feels uncomfortable speaking poorly about community
members.

4. Which detail best shows that the speaker's jump shot is closely tied to who they are?
A. "My jump shot be / all elbow and no wrist." (Lines 1-2)
B. "My jump shot be / the sour milk in your cereal." (Lines 13-14)
C. "My jump shot be / Michael Jordan when he was seven." (Lines 21-22)
D. "My jump shot be / a home." (Lines 45-46 )

3
5. How does the tone of the poem shift from lines 1-28 to lines 29-48? (6-7 sentences)
Tone: The attitude that a character or narrator or author takes towards a given subject.

* Don't forget to give an example and explain your answer.

4
***(Select 4 out of the 5 questions to answer.)
Response needs to be 6-7 sentences for
all answers.
Discussion Questions Avoid I think, I believe, I understand, I
can conclude that, and you!
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be
prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. The speaker starts the poem by describing their jump shot in a self-deprecating and
humorous way. How did you feel when you read the first half of the poem? What do
you think the poet was hoping to achieve by beginning the poem in this way? Explain
your thinking.
Ex: This poem makes me feel...
The poet is trying to....
Only select one question to answer.

2. The speaker describes the experience of "getting asked to speak on behalf of all the
other jump shots." What do you think they mean by this? Has this ever happened to
you? How did it make you feel? What can schools do to ensure students do not feel
this way? Only answer one of these questions.

3. The poet chose to use a "jump shot" as his anchor metaphor throughout the poem.
Consider possible reasons why he might have made this choice? What is the effect of
this choice on the reader? What is the effect of this choice on the tone of the poem?
Only answer one of these questions.

4. Consider the poet's use of repetition and structure. How does the repetition of the
phrase "My jump shot be" impact the tone of the poem? How does the structure of
the poem contribute to its meaning? Only answer one of these questions.

5
5. This poem explores themes of identity and representation. What are parts of your
identity that you are proud of? How do you share these parts of yourself with others?
Why is it so important for people with diverse identities and backgrounds to be
represented and recognized in their communities? Only answer one of these questions.

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