Alexander Hamilton Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

What do you know about Alexander Hamilton?  (Tap prior knowledge)

What do you hope to learn about Alexander Hamilton? (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 3:12: Why was the money printed by the Articles of Congress not accepted by farmers and merchants? What did Hamilton learn from this? (Identify cause/effect; Make connections)

Timecode 4:59: Why do you think some states were reluctant to the idea of federalism? (Make inferences)

Timecode 6:31: How did Hamilton’s policies stabilize the economy?  (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 Alexander Hamilton topic. (Make connections)

In what way is Hamilton deserving of the title Founding Father? (Reflect; Apply new knowledge)

In what ways do Hamilton’s ideas continue to shape our thinking about the role of government? (Make connections; Apply new knowledge)

BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Alexander Hamilton 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.