Pocahontas Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie:

What have you heard about Pocahontas? (Tap prior knowledge)

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 1:04: Why did Colonial Americans consider Pocahontas a “mother to this country”? (Draw conclusions)

Time code 4:40: Why was the period after Pocahontas married John Rolfe called the “Peace of Pocahontas? (Make inferences)

Timecode 6:15: Why would someone who knew Smith doubt his stories? (Draw conclusions)

After the Movie:

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

How did Pocohontas influence relations between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan? (Summarize)

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