Divining Deeper Meaning: Themes & Motifs in Chapter 3 of When the Emperor Was Divine
Literary analysis toolkit for Chapter 3 of When the Emperor Was Divine: explore symbols, motifs, and themes through guided close reading and reflection.
Latest
Chapter 3: Memory, Identity & the Camp Experience in When the Emperor Was Divine
Close reading questions for Chapter 3 of When the Emperor Was Divine. Analyze memory, identity, and motif development through independent literary practice.
Chapter 2 Analysis Toolkit: POV Shifts & Symbolism in When the Emperor Was Divine
Chapter 2 analysis toolkit for When the Emperor Was Divine: POV shift chart + symbolism annotation activity. Ideal for student-led literary analysis.
Chapter 2: Point of View & Character Shifts in When the Emperor Was Divine
Chapter 2 close reading questions for When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. Practice POV, characterization, and thematic analysis with Lit & Lens Society.
Close Reading and Symbolism Practice for Chapter 1 of When the Emperor Was Divine
Lit & Lens Society practice for When the Emperor Was Divine Chapter 1: analyze character, mood, and symbolism through close reading and guided questions.
When the Emperor Was Divine Chapter 1 Close Reading Questions
Chapter 1 reading questions for When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka—perfect for IB English, literary analysis, and close reading.
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
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!)
Analyzing Visual Symbolism in Into the Spider-Verse (pt. 2)
This shot-by-shot breakdown of Into the Spider-Verse explores how to teach film analysis and visual symbolism—even if you don’t have a film background. Perfect for middle and high school ELA!
You Don’t Need a Film Degree to Analyze Film: Teaching Visual Literacy through Spider-Verse
Teach film analysis without a film degree! Use Into the Spider-Verse to build students’ visual literacy, critical thinking, and ELA writing skills.
Make it to Summer Break with the Into the Spiderverse ELA Survival Pack
I’ve taught both freshmen and seniors, and when May hits, their energy couldn’t be more different. Seniors? Erratic but energized. They're leaning into the unstructured chaos of their final filmmaking projects, juggling AP tests, spring sports, and soaking in every last moment of high school. Freshmen?
How I Craft Film Viewing Questions for High School English Class (Using Into the Spider-Verse as a Case Study)
When I introduce film into the ELA classroom, my goal is always the same: get students thinking deeply without pulling their eyes away from the screen. Thoughtfully crafted viewing questions help strike that balance: they anchor attention, spark discussion, and lay the groundwork for analysis that extends beyond the surface.
9th Grade ELA
Why Into the Spider-Verse Is the Perfect Film to Teach High School Freshmen
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
ELA Lesson Plans
A Simple 3-Step Framework for Teaching Literary Analysis (Even If You're Not an English Teacher)
If you're homeschooling a middle or high schooler and the idea of teaching literary analysis makes your palms sweat, you're not alone. The good news? You don't need to be a trained English teacher to help your student become a confident literary thinker. With
Books
Top 10 Engaging Activities for Teaching The House on Mango Street
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
Scaffolding Lessons Using The House on Mango Street
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
Books
Transforming Student Engagement with The House on Mango Street
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’
Analysis
How to Do a Shot-by-Shot Film Sequence 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
AAPI Books
Exploring The Liberators by E.J. Koh: Family, Trauma, and Korean/American History
I've been focusing more on reading over the last few months, finally taking the time to read texts by Asian and Asian American authors. Lately, I'm using this literature as an opportunity to explore history, culture, and identity. I picked up The Liberators by E.J.
Essay Writing
How to Write Your College Essay
When I was a senior in high school, I hated the college essay. I was angered by the very idea of it -- how was I supposed to describe myself in 500 words or less? How was someone going to get to know me in 500 words? It wasn'
Critical Conversations
Teaching 'Woman of the Hour': A Feminist Lens in Film
I started watching Woman of the Hour because it popped up on my Netflix, and when my partner Googled it, he saw it had good reviews. And then I was Instagram re-targeted all of Netflix's promotions for the film as well. What really pushed me to not wait
Critical Conversations
Teaching With Films: Discussion Norms for Critical Conversations and Race | Key Considerations Before Teaching Jordan Peele's Film, Get Out
Get Out is a film known for being about race, the topic is unavoidable. When I'm teaching or working with students, my job is to help students unpack the conversations around uncomfortable topics, such as race, and to also help them learn how to productively have these conversations
Film
Basic Film Vocabulary: Frame, Shot, Sequence & Scene
When it comes to describing film, I often find myself using many words interchangeably... "scene" and "sequence", the composition of "a frame" and the composition of "a shot". When we're together using these words in context, the nuanced definitions don&
Books
Comparing Opening Scenes of Books and Shows: and The Duke and I
When pairing a book and show, I wonder about the decision making behind the changes. Some I understand come from the nature of prose versus visual storytelling, or telling a story within the structure of a one hour episode in the season of a series. But when there are other changes, I think it leads