Motown Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie:

What kind of music do you think Motown is? (Tap prior knowledge)

What would you like to know about Motown? (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 2:37: In what ways did racism extend to the music industry? (Recall) 

Timecode 3:24: How did pop acts take from black music styles? How do you think this made black musicians feel? (Recall; Make inferences)

Timecode 6:57: In what way did Motown reflect the larger world stage in the 1960s? (Make connections)

After the Movie:

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

Would it be more or less difficult for artists to enter the mainstream music industry today than in the 1960s? Explain your answer. (Reflect)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Motown 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.