Before She Was Harriet is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
"Before She Was Harriet" by Lesa Cline-Ransome is a poetic and insightful picture book that tells the story of Harriet Tubman through multiple perspectives. The book follows Harriet's life journey, starting with her old age and gradually moving backward in time. Each section of the book highlights a different role or identity Harriet had throughout her life, such as a suffragist, a Union spy, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and a young girl named Araminta. The poetic text beautifully captures Harriet's strength, resilience, and courage, while the illustrations by James Ransome bring her story to life. Through its unique structure and powerful storytelling, "Before She Was Harriet" celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, emphasizing her impact as a freedom fighter and an iconic figure in American history.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Practice identifying the main idea and key details.
- Teach the purpose of the different types of print.
- Discuss the importance of self-advocacy and strategies students can use to advocate for themselves.
- Discuss what it means to persevere and why it is important.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
- The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Oge Mora
- The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins
- Shark Lady by Jess Keating
- Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
