Directions: Use the themes, questions and video clips below to teach and learn with portions of C-SPAN's American Writers program featuring Sojourner Truth and the Narrative of Sojourner Truth. Link to the complete video clip list to identify clip descriptions and create your own lessons. Each theme contains questions and video clips appropriate for varying grade levels.

Lesson Credit:
Curriculum Advisory Team member, Mary T. Mason.

1. Did Sojourner Truth have siblings? What was her family life like? Did she have children?
2. What was the effect of slavery on her familial relationships? On her personally? Consider the physical and psychological effects. If Sojourner Truth had been able to keep her own journal about her family, what details might some of the entries have included?
3. What other support did she have, similar to family? How did her friends help her? How did she help others?
4. How did her personal background and relationships inspire her public life?
5. What are some connections individuals today can make to Sojourner Truth? To what extent is Sojourner Truth a role model?

1. With what social and political causes is Sojourner Truth associated? Why?
2. What inspired Sojourner Truth to take on causes? What methods did she use to get her message across?
3. Did she have an impact on politics or policy in her lifetime? Explain.
4.Identify the connections Sojourner Truth had with other reform leaders in the 1800's. Explain the similarities and differences between their beliefs and methods of achieving reform. Compare her approach to that of some leaders from 20th century reform movements, such as the civil rights movement.
5. What can one learn about the history of America through the life of Sojourner Truth? Is her narrative a primary source? Are the sources we have for learning about her reliable? Explain.

1. List the many ways that Sojourner Truth communicated. What was unique about her methods of communication? How did she herself learn? How did she teach?
2. How were those who met her influenced by her? What effect did she have?
3. What circumstances either improved or impeded her ability to communicate to her contemporaries? to us today? What effect does dialect have? Consider both the positive and the negative effects.
4. To what degree are we influenced by her today? Explain.
5. What lessons does Sojourner Truth offer to those who are in the business of either teaching or learning?