I am Kristi Yamaguchi
From Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum · 2024
Summary
Yadina worries she'll never be graceful enough, and meeting a young Kristi Yamaguchi — who became the first Asian American woman to win Olympic figure skating gold — shows her that dedication and joy in practice lead to extraordinary things. The episode (which also features Roberto Clemente) celebrates perseverance and cultural identity.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Kristi Yamaguchi was the first Asian American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating.
- What does it mean to be a 'first'? Why does it matter when someone breaks a new barrier?
- What did Kristi Yamaguchi practice to become great? How many years did she train?
- Have you ever worked hard at something even when it was difficult? What kept you going?
- How does seeing someone who looks like you succeed make you feel?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: Olympic gold, figure skating, Asian American, perseverance, grace.
Try it: Write a short 'I can' statement about something you're working to get better at. Then list two steps you'll take to practice this week.