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.
The Planning Room
Intro to Film Studies Pacing Guide Week 1
Start Film Studies with Film-Related Bingo, Box Office Trivia, and the Self/Us/Now Community Building Activities. Free Week 1–2 pacing guide.
9th Grade ELA
The Rematch — Close Reading & Characterization Lesson (BJ Novak)
Makes satire and characterization come alive with this 1–2 day lesson that includes guided reading questions and differentiated prompts that help middle and high school students analyze diction, irony, and theme while practicing evidence-based discussion.
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
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
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!)
Into the Spider-Verse
Into the Spider-verse Viewing Questions
Viewing questions broken apart by act for Into the Spider-verse. Engage active viewing and develop visual literacy with no film experience.
SeeReadWrite
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!
9th Grade ELA
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?
9th Grade ELA
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
Lesson Plans
A Simple 3-Step Framework for Teaching Literary Analysis (Even If You're Not an English Teacher)
A free guide for parents looking to support their students with deeper reading in high school ELA.