Before She Was Harriet

Name: Before She Was Harriet
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome

A story that explores courage and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Courage. doing what is right even when it is hard.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Courage is the willingness to go beyond fear to face a healthy (not foolish) challenge, even though it could be painful, risky, or end in failure. In short: Do good, try hard even when it’s scary. Summary: Harriet Tubman, an American heroine in the mid- 1800’s, bravely wore many hats throughout her life. The narrative takes readers through Harriet’s life according to the titles she earned: Suffragist, General Tubman, Union spy, Nurse, Conductor on the Underground Railroad, slave, daughter and aunt. Lesson Objectives:

Link this story to a history lesson about slavery in the USA, the Civil War that freed the slaves, and/or the suffragist movement.
Teachers lead students in a discussion about courage, its definition and how Harriet Tubman showed courage in each of her roles throughout her life.

Guiding Questions:

What is slavery and what do we know from this book about Harriet’s experiences as a slave?
Harriet escaped slavery and helped others run away using the Underground Railroad. What was the Underground Railroad?
How did Harriet, as “General Tubman” help 700 slaves escape?
The Civil war was fought to end slavery in the USA. How did Harriet help the cause of ending slavery?
When she was living in freedom, after the Civil War, Harriet was a suffragist, a person who helped women to gain the right to vote and other rights. Why do you think she became a suffragist?
Even though she went through so much hardship, Harriet accomplished so much. Do you think she was happy and at peace at the end of her life? Why or why not?
If someone dared you to do something that was risky and against your parents’ rules, and you didn’t do it, do you think that would be a courageous decision on your part or not? Explain your answer.
Do you think it’s important that citizens of countries have the right to vote for what they want? Why or why not?
Harriet was born a slave with no rights, but because she was able to face her fears and challenges, she became a hero. Do you think it’s important to be courageous and stand up for what you believe? Why or why not?
Do you think a person can be afraid and courageous at the same time?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Courage means acting on what is right even in the presence of fear.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

Read-aloud video · Best with headphones

Find this book at your library or bookstore →

Courage · Family Discussion Guide

Before She Was Harriet

by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Guiding Questions

Link this story to a history lesson about slavery in the USA, the Civil War that freed the slaves, and/or the suffragist movement.
Teachers lead students in a discussion about courage, its definition and how Harriet Tubman showed courage in each of her roles throughout her life.

Guiding Questions:

What is slavery and what do we know from this book about Harriet’s experiences as a slave?
Harriet escaped slavery and helped others run away using the Underground Railroad. What was the Underground Railroad?
How did Harriet, as “General Tubman” help 700 slaves escape?
The Civil war was fought to end slavery in the USA. How did Harriet help the cause of ending slavery?
When she was living in freedom, after the Civil War, Harriet was a suffragist, a person who helped women to gain the right to vote and other rights. Why do you think she became a suffragist?
Even though she went through so much hardship, Harriet accomplished so much. Do you think she was happy and at peace at the end of her life? Why or why not?
If someone dared you to do something that was risky and against your parents’ rules, and you didn’t do it, do you think that would be a courageous decision on your part or not? Explain your answer.
Do you think it’s important that citizens of countries have the right to vote for what they want? Why or why not?
Harriet was born a slave with no rights, but because she was able to face her fears and challenges, she became a hero. Do you think it’s important to be courageous and stand up for what you believe? Why or why not?
Do you think a person can be afraid and courageous at the same time?

valuesandvirtues.org · Made possible by our supporters

Before She Was Harriet

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

More Courage guides.

A Little SPOT of Courage

Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome

Be Brave, Little Penguin

BRAVE AS CAN BE

Explore more guides for 3rd & 4th Grade.

Before She Was Harriet

Guiding Questions