Film Studies
Opus & The Middle Perspective
Unpacking Ariel's role as the audience surrogate in A24's Opus.
Recent Posts
Film Studies
Opus Opening Sequence
Analyze character and world in the opening sequence of A24's horror satire film, Opus.
Film Studies
Opus Movie Review – A24’s Wellness Horror & the Ethics of Influence
Quick thoughts on A24's Opus - is the movie pointless or purposeful? Is it possible to be ethical in late stage capitalism and the influencer economy?
Poetry
Defining the Indefinable: A Poetry Kickoff Lesson Using Quotes from Poets
Poetry intimidates some students—and honestly, some teachers too. It's abstract, personal, packed with hidden meanings, and often taught with more reverence than real curiosity. That’s why I like to start my poetry unit by admitting something radical: there is no one definition of poetry. Instead of
The House on Mango Street
What If She’s Not “Unmotivated”?
Why I Created a House on Mango Street Novel Study for Homeschool Families If you’re a homeschooling parent trying to get your daughter to care about literature or write with confidence, you might be feeling stuck. Especially if she’s quiet. Resistant. Disengaged. Maybe you’ve heard things like:
ELA
Why the Analytical Paragraph Still Matters in a World of Scrolls and Soundbites
When I first started teaching high school English in a wealthy, high-achieving public school district, I was surprised by how often students would argue over a single point on an assignment. At first, I chalked it up to academic perfectionism or entitlement. But one day, a colleague explained that students
Writing
How to Write a Strong Analytical Thesis Statement in High School and IB English
Learn how to write a clear, compelling analytical thesis statement for high school or IB English class. This guide breaks down sentence frames, provides real examples, and shows how to level up your thinking.
9th Grade ELA
Why So Many Students Struggle with Literary Analysis—And How The House on Mango Street Can Help
“Why can’t I get above a B on my English essays?” I hear this question all the time from students—and I understand their frustration. They want to do well. They’re smart. They read the book. But when it comes time to write about literature, something’s not
Analytical Writing
How to Use ChatGPT to Turn a Film Analysis Model into Scaffolded Writing Instruction (with Into the Spider-Verse)
Help students analyze theme and character growth in Into the Spider-Verse with this scaffolded film analysis activity. Includes thesis + outline worksheets.
Into the Spider-Verse
After the Viewing Questions: Teaching Into the Spider-Verse
Explore post-viewing strategies and discussion prompts for teaching Into the Spider-Verse in middle and high school English or film classes (can be used as a discussion prompts for homeschool!)
Advanced English Class
Film Analysis for Students: Visual Framing & Emotional Distance in Into the Spider-Verse (pt. 4)
Learn how to analyze film scenes with this breakdown of framing, distance, and symbolism in Into the Spider-Verse. Perfect for students, teachers, and visual storytelling enthusiasts.
9th Grade ELA
Into the Spider-Verse Film Analysis: Visual Literacy & Foreshadowing (pt. 3)
Explore the visual storytelling and character dynamics in 'Into the Spider-Verse' through our detailed film analysis series