Coraline
Coraline, Eccentric Adults, and the Line Between Weird and Unsafe
Coraline shows kids learning bravery amid odd adults. Use these passages and guiding questions to explore safety, risk, and coming of age.
Coraline
Coraline Film Analysis Practice Pack
Five scaffolded practice activities build film vocabulary, character analysis, and theme development.
Film Studies
Coraline Pre-Viewing & Intro to Film Form Vocabulary Lesson Pack
Introduce film vocabulary with Coraline. Includes guided notes, vocab decks, and answer key.
Coraline
Coraline Act 3 Film Analysis Frame Examples
Shots to analyze in Act 3 of Coraline. Contrast/map development from Act 1, 2, and 3.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie — “It’s Alive!” Scene Comparisons
Compare the “It’s Alive!” scenes from Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein, and Frankenweenie.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie — Subtext Activities (Lightning & Town Hall Scenes)
Unpack the hidden meanings in Frankenweenie with subtext activities for the Lightning and Town Hall scenes.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie — Science, Symbolism & Fear Activities
Explore the role of science in Frankenweenie through three lessons: “What is Science?,” a Scientist Character Sort, and the Fear of Science town hall.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie — Caricature & Body Representation Activities
Analyze Burton’s gothic style through caricature and body representation in Frankenweenie. Includes student chart, answer key, and creative extension.
9th Grade ELA
How to Engage Students When Teaching Analytical Writing
My students used to breeze through short stories just so they could move on. Then I introduced BJ Novak’s bizarre, hilarious short stories—and suddenly, they were asking to read more. That’s when I realized the most accessible texts can also spark the deepest thinking. Why Start With
Coraline
Reading Questions for Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Chapter by chapter reading questions to support Novel Studies of Coraline by Neil Gaiman (the book).
The Babadook
The Babadook SxS Film Sequence Analysis Practice Activity
COMING SOON: Opening Sequence Film Analysis Activity for Jennifer Kent's The Babadook.
Film Studies
Viewing Questions for The Farewell
Over 25 short-answer questions broken into two main viewing segments that guide students to understand and apply film vocab, make inferences about theme and symbolism, and explore cultural values and emotional subtext.