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Sinners Viewing Questions
Structured viewing questions for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners that help middle and high school students analyze film techniques, theme, tone, and character.
The Babadook — Complete Film Analysis Unit
Introduce film analysis with this complete film unit and pacing guide.
Poe Gothic Story Writing Workbook
Complete workbook that pairs figurative language and craft [of writing] analysis with parallel creative writing practices to guide students through creating their own gothic short stories. Rigorous and relatable.
Frankenweenie: Full ELA Film Unit & Pacing Guide
3 week pacing guide for teaching and analyzing Frankenweenie, includes links to all lessons (essentially a unit bundle).
Frankenweenie Socratic Seminar
Socratic Seminar Questions, Rubric, and Supplementary articles that pair with Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie & Frankenstein: Characterization Comparisons
Comparative Analysis of Victor, his father, and his mentor/teachers in Frankenweenie and Frankenstein. Scaffolded and ready to differentiate.
Coraline Film Analysis Practice Pack
Five scaffolded practice activities build film vocabulary, character analysis, and theme development.
Frankenweenie — “It’s Alive!” Scene Comparisons
Compare the “It’s Alive!” scenes from Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein, and 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 — 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 — Caricature & Body Representation Activities
Analyze Burton’s gothic style through caricature and body representation in Frankenweenie. Includes student chart, answer key, and creative extension.
Frankenweenie — Characterization, Archetypes & Caricature Activities
Explore how Tim Burton’s quirky characters mix archetype, parody, and stereotype. This lesson pack includes notes, student packet, and slides to teach characterization through Frankenweenie.
Frankenweenie — Pre-Viewing & Activation Questions
Activate prior knowledge before watching Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie with 8 open-ended prompts on monsters, symbolism, parody, and fear. Perfect Halloween warm-up or film study intro for grades 7–10.
The Babadook SxS Film Sequence Analysis Practice Activity
COMING SOON: Opening Sequence Film Analysis Activity for Jennifer Kent's The Babadook.
Ex Machina Opening Sequence Shot by Shot Film Analysis Practice
A shot-by-shot film analysis activity using the opening of Ex Machina. Teach students to analyze camera work, composition, and editing to build critical thinking and literary analysis skills.
Opening Sequence Film Analysis Practice Activity with It Follows
Conduct a shot by shot breakdown of the first 4 minutes of It Follows to explore suspense, POV, and more.
Us Opening Sequence Viewing Questions
Viewing Questions for the first 15 minutes of Us. Explore character, notice suspense creation, and practice with symbols and allusion.
Coraline Viewing Questions
2 different question sets (one geared towards learning the basics of film studies vocabulary, one that doesn't require film experience) and a master list of viewing questions.
From the blog
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How to Make Edgar Allan Poe Relevant: Scaffolded Creative Writing for Secondary ELA
I love Gothic literature. Something about it.
The monsters as metaphor. The rich, dense language that forces me to slow down. The layers of figurative language that overlap
Coraline, Eccentric Adults, and the Line Between Weird and Unsafe
Lesson for members
Poe, Coraline, and Autumn Atmosphere
Lesson for members
Coraline Act 3 Film Analysis Frame Examples
Shots to analyze in Act 3 of Coraline. Contrast/map development from Act 1, 2, and 3.
Shots to Analyze in Coraline Act 2
Film frames to analyze or compare/contrast from Coraline Act 2. Film Analysis, Film Studies & ELA.
Best Shots for Film Analysis in Coraline Act 1
Best shots for film analysis of Coraline.
Opus & ASMR Horror
Lesson for members
Opus Opening Sequence
Lesson for members
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
Woman of the Hour Teacher Tips
Lesson for members
The Horror of Patriarchy in Woman of the Hour
Insights and explorations, related events, texts, and themes, for Woman of the Hour.
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
Best Films for Spooky Season 2023: Thrillers, Classics, and More
I love fall, and enjoying Halloween (although I haven't made the effort to get in costume for years) is a big part of it. For me,
The Newer Scream Films and Horror Movie Explorations
Thoughts on the newer Scream movies.
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