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
Best Shots for Film Analysis in Coraline Act 1
Best shots for film analysis of Coraline.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie — “It’s Alive!” Scene Comparisons
Compare the “It’s Alive!” scenes from Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein, and Frankenweenie.
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.
Halloween
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.
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.
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 House on Mango Street
What If She’s Not “Unmotivated”?
Why I Created a House on Mango Street Novel Study for Homeschool Families If you’re a homeschooling parent trying to get your daughter to care about literature or write with confidence, you might be feeling stuck. Especially if she’s quiet. Resistant. Disengaged. Maybe you’ve heard things like:
Writing
How to Write a Strong Analytical Thesis Statement in High School and IB English
Learn how to write a clear, compelling analytical thesis statement for high school or IB English class. This guide breaks down sentence frames, provides real examples, and shows how to level up your thinking.