Abraham Lincoln Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

What do you know about Abraham Lincoln? (Tap prior knowledge)

What do you hope to learn about Abraham Lincoln? (Set goals)

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 2:08: When Lincoln was a congressman, what were his beliefs on slavery? (Recall)

Timecode 3:21: Why was the Lincoln/Douglas election so significant? (Make inferences)

Timecode 4:45: How did the Gettysburg address impact slavery laws in the US? (Identify cause/effect)

After the Movie

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Abraham Lincoln topic. (Make connections)

How did Lincoln’s presidency help strengthen the US after the Civil War? (Make connections; Identify cause/effect)

In what ways do Lincoln’s values hold true to our country today? (Apply new knowledge)

BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Abraham Lincoln Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.