Lesson 2: Harriet Tubman

Objective: After reading “Before She Was Harriet” by Lesa Cline-Ransome in a whole group
setting, 2nd grade students will independently list at least 4 character traits using the open portrait
mind strategy.

1) Review Vocabulary Words with students. Relate the vocabulary words to events that
occurred in the Jackie Robinson story.

2) In order activate prior knowledge, students will watch an informational youtube video
that explores the life of Harriet Tubman. In this video, students will get a brief
background on who Harriet Tubman and the amazing things she accomplished in her
difficult life.

3) Teacher will read aloud “Before She Was Harriet” by Lesa Cline-Ransome. Before
reading, explain to students that you will stop and write down things that Harriet Tubman
did on the board.

4) After the read aloud, students and the teacher will talk about how she was feeling
throughout the story. Teacher will write these feelings on the board for students to view.
Students and teacher will describe Harriet Tubman. What kind of person was she? How
would you describe her?

5) Students will use an open mind portrait to describe Harriet Tubman in this story. Students
will independently draw things that she may be thinking and feeling.

6) When students are finished, they will answer the following question in their reading log:
Was Harriet Tubman a hero? Why or why not?
Assessment Plan:

Lesson Exceeding Meeting the Approaching the Far Below the

Objective Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations
After reading Students list Students list at Students list Students list
“Before She more than 4 least 4 character fewer than 4 fewer than 2
Was Harriet” by character traits traits using the character traits character traits
Lesa Cline- using the open open portrait using the open using the open
Ransome in a portrait mind mind strategy. portrait mind portrait mind
whole group strategy. strategy. strategy.
setting, 2nd grade
students will
independently
list at least 4
character traits
using the open
portrait mind
strategy.