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What was the most interesting thing you knew about Harriet Tubman before reading this article? What is the most interesting thing you know about her now?
Why do you think Harriet Tubman was such a successful conductor on the Underground Railroad?
According to the article, up to now Harriet Tubman's life story has mainly been told in children's books and through cameo appearances in Civil War dramas. Why do you think it's taken so long to have a full-length feature film dedicated to her life?
According to the article, the film "Harriet" focuses on Harriet Tubman's work on the Underground Railroad and does not address the bulk of her long life. If you could make another movie about Harriet Tubman that focused on a different part of her life, what would it cover? How do you think it would affect people's understanding of this courageous woman and the role she played in African American history?
PROCESS:
- Tell students that before any movie can be made, one thing has to be done: Someone has to pitch the idea to those who will make the movie. They have to sell their idea and convince the buyers it will be a success. And they don't have much time to do this.
- Explain that the first thing you have to do when writing a pitch is to grab people's attention. Write one or two sentences, or a logline, that captures the big idea by summarizing the core conflict and leaves buyers wanting to learn more.
- Then, you must write a brief outline of your idea. Don't tell the whole story, but do introduce the main characters and summarize the plot. Emphasize key details or moments that make your story unique and worth watching.
- The final step is presentation. Remember, you are selling your idea. Be confident. Be enthusiastic. Present your idea and answer any questions the buyers have with brief, accurate answers.
- Have students identify a famous African American or a notable event in African American history. Instruct them to conduct research to learn about their topic and then write a pitch-both logline and outline-to turn that story into a movie.
- Invite students to pitch their ideas to the class. Encourage classmates to ask questions about each idea. Challenge presenters to give brief, accurate answers.
ASSESSMENT:
CUSTOMIZE THE LESSON:
One of our nation’s greatest heroes, Harriet Tubman led slaves north to freedom via secret paths and waterways. But her skills also made her a valuable military asset to the Union Army. Watch this Smithsonian Channel video to learn more.
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In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Eric Jentsch discusses the history of the Harlem Globetrotters, an all-African American basketball team that barnstormed through segregated America to become the world’s most recognizable sports team.
Explore the exhibition and teaching resources on this National Museum of American History site to learn about a landmark case that proved to be a turning point in American history.
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Read this Smithsonian magazine article to learn how, in a historic moment, foundations and museums came together to rescue black history.