What Matters
► Essential Question
► When is it right to take a stand?
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
Educator
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Summary
Educator
This magazine article from National Geographic is about an
impressive man named Barrington Irving. Despite his difficult
upbringing, he became an expert on aviation. At age 23 he became
the youngest person—and only African American—ever to fly solo
around the world. Irving recommends determination above all; if
you confidently pursue what you want, you can probably do more
than you think you’re capable of. He now runs a nonprofit group
to help more kids get into aviation, and the math and science that
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Concept Vocabulary
Educator
► 1- determination (dih TUR muh NAY shuhn) n. quality of pursuing a
► goal even when it is difficult
► ► 2. achieve (uh CHEEV) v. succeed in doing something you want to
do
► ► 3. pursue (puhr SOO) v. continue doing an activity over a period of
► time
► ► [Link] (TAK lihng) v. dealing with or handling a problem or
► situation
► ► 5. accomplish (uh KOM plish) v. carry out; finish or complete
► ► 6. purposeful (PUR puhs fuhl) adj. having a clear aim or goal
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Comprehension Check Educator
[Link] had to overcome his surroundings of crime, poverty, and
failing schools, as well as his own lack of confidence in his
abilities.
2. Barrington Irving dreamed of being a pilot and of flying solo
around the world.
3. Irving practiced at home by playing a flight simulator video
game.
4. Experience Aviation is Irving’s nonprofit organization.
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
Educator
► Comprehension Check
► 5- Story Timeline
Timelines will vary but should include some of the
following events: Worked in his parents’ bookstore, got
a scholarship to University of Florida but went to flight
school instead, flew around the world, started a
nonprofit, created the “Journey for Knowledge” flying
classroom.
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
Educator
► Analyze the Text
► 1. Irving became inspired to follow his dream when a
professional pilot encouraged him and gave him a hands-on
experience with his plane
►
► 2. Responses will vary
► 3. Responses will vary
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Analyze Craft and Structure
Educator
► 1. (a) In paragraph 1, an example of direct characterization is
“good at rising above obstacles.” (b) The text describes
Barrington Irving and then follows with specific details that tell
more about that description.
► 2. (a) In this paragraph, the author uses indirect
characterization. (b) This information reveals that Irving is
determined, passionate about flying, and generous.
►
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Analyze Craft and Structure
Educator
► 3. The quotations in this paragraph show that Irving is a giving
person who is just as excited to share the knowledge he has. He
wants kids to be as passionate about learning as he is.
► 4. (a) There are both; indirect and direct characterization in the
form of Irving’s quotation. (b) Irving’s question at the end reveals
his confidence.
►
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
Educator
► Concept vocabulary
► Why These Words?
1. The vocabulary words send a message to kids that they can be successful and
achieve their goals and dreams through hard work and determination, no matter what
their circumstances.
2. practicing; aims; endeavor
► Practice
► 1. Responses will vary
► 2. determination: boldness, dedication, grit, persistence; pursue: go after, seek,
chase, follow; accomplish: reach, attain, finish, pull off; achieve: complete, carry
out, reach a goal; tackling: trying, attempting, undertaking; purposeful: deliberate,
determined, persistent
►
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
► Word Study
Educator
Old English Suffix: -ful The Old English suffix -ful means
“full of” or “having qualities of.”
1. Meaningful means full of or possessing meaning.
2. Resourceful, successful, helpful
Barrington Irving, Pilot and
Educator
► Conventions
Nouns and Pronouns
1. a. proper nouns: Irving, University of Florida;
possessive pronoun: his
b. proper noun: Experience Aviation; possessive noun:
Irving’s.
2. Proper nouns: Irving, International Space Station,
NASA; personal pronoun: he; possessive pronoun: his