Fannie Lou Hamer Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

What do you think is meant by voter suppression? (Predict)

What do you think happens when a particular population is kept from voting? (Predict)

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 1:20: Why do you think Hamer’s story touched people so deeply? (Make inferences)

Timecode 3:59: What were some of the challenges and consequences Hamer and other volunteers faced from trying to register to vote? (Identify cause/effect; Recall)

Timecode 7:19: Do you believe Hamer’s testimony was effective even though her group wasn’t seated at the Convention? Why or why not? (Make judgments)

After the Movie

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

What can you conclude about Hamer’s character from this movie? (Determine character traits)

What would you say to Fannie Lou Hamer if she were alive today? (Reflect; Apply new knowledge)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Fannie Lou Hamer 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.