Harriet Tubman: Humanitarian. Leader. Hero.

Category

In-class learning activity

Note to teachers

This learning activity can be done during Black History Month, which is celebrated every year in February. However, the life of Harriet Tubman can be presented at any time throughout the year to inspire young people when they have to give a presentation on historical figures.

Target grades

Grades 9 to 12

You will need

Video (in French and English), which can be downloaded or viewed online

Preparation

  1. Watch the video on the life of Harriet Tubman with your students.
  2. After viewing the video, ask your students to do additional research on the life of this exceptional woman and to share other aspects of Harriet Tubman’s life with the rest of the class.
  3. Ask them to think about and share their opinions on the life of Harriet Tubman; ask them whether they agree with the words in the subtitle: “humanitarian, leader and hero,” and ask them why or why not.
  4. Discuss with your students topics such as slavery, the settlement of former Black slaves in Canada, racism, the role of women in the history of Canada.
  5. Your students can also:
    • Give an oral presentation
    • Put on a play
    • Write an essay on one of the topics discussed in class.

Additional activity — Wade in the Water

  1. Watch the video Wade in the Water.
  2. Review the lyrics of the song in the students’ mother tongue or, in the case of a second language class, in the language being taught.
  3. Discuss the meaning of the song, identify and analyze the messages in the song.
  4. Ask your student to write a song with coded messages like Wade in the Water