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
Poe, Coraline, and Autumn Atmosphere
Close reading for figurative language, symbolism, foreshadowing, mood, and tone in chapter 1 of Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Free resource for Halloween high school ELA teaching.
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.
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.
Frankenweenie
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
Frankenweenie — Viewing Questions & Motif Tracking
Engage students with 50 guided viewing questions and motif-tracking prompts for Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. Perfect for grades 7–10 as a Halloween lesson, film study activity, or active viewing guide.
Film Studies
Opus Opening Sequence
Analyze character and world in the opening sequence of A24's horror satire film, Opus.
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