9th Grade ELA
When it comes to engaging ninth-grade students in literary analysis, few texts are as effective, versatile, or culturally resonant as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. While the film dazzles with its revolutionary animation and dynamic visual style, it also provides a rich foundation for deep thematic exploration, character analysis, and cinematic
Viewing Questions
A Modern Media Pairing for The Catcher in the Rye. What does a magical aristocrat with a pink tuxedo and a bachelor board have in common with Holden Caulfield? Find out with this Viewing Questions for the pilot episode of the Neo Yokio Netflix series.
Lesson Plans
A free guide for parents looking to support their students with deeper reading in high school ELA.
Books
Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street offers a rich tapestry of themes, characters, and literary devices, making it a versatile text for classroom exploration. To help students connect deeply with the material, here are ten activities that blend creativity with critical thinking. 1. ✍️ "My Name"
Books
Differentiating Lessons to Meet Students Where They Are One of the biggest misconceptions about scaffolding is that it has to be complicated or time-consuming. But really, it’s about being intentional with how we guide students—especially when we know they’re coming in with different skill levels, confidence, and
Coraline
COMING SOON: Shot by Shot Sequence Analysis Practice for Coraline's first night in the Other World.
Coraline
COMING SOON: Shot by Shot film sequence analysis practice with the opening credit sequence of Henry Selick's, Coraline.
Books
I taught Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street once, and quickly realized I needed to rethink my approach. In this post, I'll explain why, and why I’m building something new for students who need a little more structure, support, and literary confidence. What Wasn’
Moonlight
COMING SOON: Shot by Shot film sequence analysis practice activity for the sequence of Little & Kevin and the boys playing in the field, in Moonlight.
Analysis
Plus a Free Example Course Using Azazel Jacobs' His Three Daughters If you’ve ever wanted to teach (or learn) how to truly read a the rich language of film, a shot-by-shot analysis is one approach that can help you dig in to the details. Whether you're
Barry Jenkins
COMING SOON: Opening Sequence Film Analysis Practice for Barry Jenkins' film, Moonlight.
UnlockingLiteraryAnalysis-series