7th Grade Movie Guides

I am not throwing away my shot! Hamilton vs. Burr: A Musical Journey through Conflict and Character is an innovative resource designed for upper middle school and lower high school English Language Arts teachers. This engaging packet leverages the powerful narrative of the musical 'Hamilton' to delve into the intricate dynamics between two of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. This literary analysis is an easy way to practice plot, conflict, and character development while enjoying some of the best songs from the Hamilton Musical soundtrack.

Key Highlights:

• Detailed Lyric Analysis: Students will read and annotate the lyrics of key songs, exploring the deep narrative and character development. Song lyrics include Aaron Burr, Sir, My Shot, Wait for It, The Election of 1800, Your Obedient Servant, and The World Was Wide Enough.
• Figurative Language Identification: Enhance literary comprehension by identifying figurative language, fostering a greater appreciation of the songs' poetic elements.
• Critical Character and Conflict Exploration: Thought-provoking questions on conflict, plot, and character are included, promoting analytical skills through a 'Claim, Evidence, Reasoning' framework.
• Cross-Curricular Engagement: Seamlessly integrating music and history with English literature, this resource offers a multi-dimensional learning experience.
• Interactive Google Slides Presentation: A comprehensive presentation with embedded songs enhances classroom engagement and interaction.
• Comprehensive Answer Key: Facilitates teaching and ensures effective learning outcomes.

Extension Opportunities:

• Creative Writing Prompts: Encourage students to write from the perspectives of Hamilton or Burr, deepening their understanding of these historical figures.
• Debate Sessions: Host debates on the decisions and actions of Hamilton and Burr, fostering critical thinking and public speaking skills.
• Research Projects: Students can undertake research projects on the historical accuracy of the musical, comparing it with actual historical events.

'Hamilton vs. Burr: A Musical Journey through Conflict and Character' is more than just a teaching resource; it's a gateway to exploring history, literature, and music in an immersive and captivating way. Prepare to bring the excitement of 'Hamilton' into your classroom and watch as your students develop a richer understanding of literary analysis, historical context, and character study.

Looking for a simple worksheet for students to complete while watching episode 2 of Our Planet: Frozen Worlds?

Our Planet is a British nature documentary series made for Netflix. The series is narrated by David Attenborough and produced by Silverback Films, led by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, who also created BBC documentary series Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet, in collaboration with the conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Netflix has the free episodes of their Our Planet series on YouTube. Each episode is between 49 to 51 minutes long. I usually have students vote on which one they want to watch. You do NOT have to watch them in order.

These episodes are great for sub plans and for days where the students just need to chill, such as after field days or any weird schedule days. Make sure to read the questions to the students beforehand so that they know what information they are looking for.

The product includes...

• Teacher notes
• Student worksheet (15 short answer questions)
• Answer key

NGSS - Middle School

• MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
• MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
• MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
• MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

TN State Standards

• 6.LS2.1: Evaluate and communicate the impact of environmental variables on population size
• 6.LS2.2: Determine the impact of competitive, symbiotic, and predatory interactions in an ecosystem
• 6.LS2.6: Research the ways in which an ecosystem has changed over time in response to changes in physical conditions, population balances, human interactions, and natural catastrophes
• 6.LS4.1: Explain how changes in biodiversity would impact ecosystem stability and natural resources
• 6.LS4.2: Design a possible solution for maintaining biodiversity of ecosystems while still providing necessary human resources without disrupting environmental equilibrium
• 6.ESS3.3: Assess the impacts of human activities on the biosphere including conservation, habitat management, species endangerment, and extinction

Step-by-Step How-To for complete film writing analysis. This 36 page guide has two parts: Getting Started and Writing Your Essay. This easy-to-follow guide includes: What is film analysis? Literary Analysis and Film Concepts Getting Started How to Watch and Take Notes Audience Theme Emotions Writing Your Essay Introduction Plot Summary Body Paragraphs Setting Mood Characters Film Techniques Sound Lighting Symbolism Foreshadowing, Directors and Writers Using Film Quotes Conclusion Peer Workshopping Activity slides for: planning, writing theme and subject, introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion Excellent for flipped classrooms, homeschooling, online learners, literacy centers, individual and group learning.

Includes a set of 10 questions with separate answer key. Written at a 9th grade level.

Includes 1 set for each of the 8 episodes of season 1 and 7 episodes of season 2 of Blue Planet. Total 15 sets.

VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos

Echoes of Empires

Join host John Leguizamo as he explores the achievements and rise of the great empires and civilizations in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, including the Taino, Olmec, Inca, Maya, Aztec, and others.

Episode 1 and 2 Threads in the American Tapestry

AVID Video Guide Activity - Printable Template: Unlock the secrets to effective note-taking with this comprehensive video guide. Students will learn to follow a structured template that enhances their note-taking skills. Use for Ted Talks, movie days, video presentations and more!

AVID Bundle

AVID Writing Bundle

Directions and What's Included in the Template:

• Simply Print and go!
• Students will write a one-sentence summary that encapsulates the essence of the video, providing a quick overview of the content.
• Students will explore three key events or topics covered in detail, gaining insights that will elevate their understanding.
• They will write high-level questions to stimulate critical thinking, encouraging deeper engagement with the material.
• They will enhance their vocabulary with three essential words highlighted in the video, fostering a richer academic language.
• Finally, students express their feedback by rating the video with a color-coded star system,
• This template is available in both color and black-and-white versions for your convenience.

More AVID Resources

More Writing Resources

You may have had students screaming and banging their heads on their desk when their Movie Maker project opened up and all they saw were yellow "!" What to do? Well, here is a PowerPoint that will alleviate those issues before you begin. I've been using this for years and when students come in from other classes (I'm the Tech teacher) saying they are having issues, I show them this and they leave with the problems corrected. This PowerPoint sums up the issues and offers a solution that will prevent them from happening!!

Bring the heartwarming and inspiring Disney+ adaptation of Out of My Mind into your classroom with this comprehensive movie guide and activity bundle. Perfect for grades 5-8, this resource engages students in thoughtful discussion, critical analysis, and creative reflection while exploring key themes of inclusion, perseverance, and advocacy.

What’s Included:

Pre-Watching Activities:

• Agree/Disagree/Justify Statements: Students reflect on key themes like inclusion, disability, and perseverance before viewing the movie.
• Author Investigation: Research questions about Sharon M. Draper’s life, career, and motivations for writing Out of My Mind.

During-Watching Questions:

• 3 Open-Ended Discussion Questions: Encourage critical thinking and active viewing, focusing on the film’s characters, themes, and key moments.

Post-Watching Reflection:

• Creative Reflection Choices: Students choose from a variety of activities, including:

• A personal essay exploring connections to Melody’s story.

• A diary entry written from the perspective of a character.

• A 6-panel brochure highlighting the movie’s plot, characters, and themes.

Skills Covered:

• Critical Thinking: Through open-ended questions and reflection activities.
• Research Skills: Investigating Sharon M. Draper’s life and work.
• Creative Expression: Writing diary entries, essays, or designing brochures.
• Empathy and Inclusion: Exploring themes that challenge perspectives and foster understanding.

Why Teachers Love It:

Engaging & Flexible: Perfect for a wide range of learners with multiple activity options.
Low Prep: Ready-to-use activities designed for easy implementation.
Standards-Aligned: Meets objectives in reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.

Perfect For:

• Movie Companion Activities
• SEL Lessons on Inclusion and Perseverance
• Sub Plans or Flexible Learning Days
• Cross-Curricular Connections in ELA and Social Studies

This complete guide offers everything you need to turn Out of My Mind into a powerful teaching moment. Inspire your students to think deeply, reflect creatively, and grow in understanding with this must-have resource. Grab it today!

Additional resources with similar themes: 18-Day Disabilities & Equity Unit Grades 6+ Project, Essay, Assessments, Seminar

Looking for a simple worksheet for students to complete while watching episode 3 of Our Planet: Jungles?

Our Planet is a British nature documentary series made for Netflix. The series is narrated by David Attenborough and produced by Silverback Films, led by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, who also created BBC documentary series Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet, in collaboration with the conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Netflix has the free episodes of their Our Planet series on YouTube. Each episode is between 49 to 51 minutes long. I usually have students vote on which one they want to watch. You do NOT have to watch them in order.

These episodes are great for sub plans and for days where the students just need to chill, such as after field days or any weird schedule days. Make sure to read the questions to the students beforehand so that they know what information they are looking for.

The product includes...

• Teacher notes
• Student worksheet (15 short answer questions)
• Answer key

NGSS - Middle School

• MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
• MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
• MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
• MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

TN State Standards

• 6.LS2.1: Evaluate and communicate the impact of environmental variables on population size
• 6.LS2.2: Determine the impact of competitive, symbiotic, and predatory interactions in an ecosystem
• 6.LS2.6: Research the ways in which an ecosystem has changed over time in response to changes in physical conditions, population balances, human interactions, and natural catastrophes
• 6.LS4.1: Explain how changes in biodiversity would impact ecosystem stability and natural resources
• 6.LS4.2: Design a possible solution for maintaining biodiversity of ecosystems while still providing necessary human resources without disrupting environmental equilibrium
• 6.ESS3.3: Assess the impacts of human activities on the biosphere including conservation, habitat management, species endangerment, and extinction

20 movie correlated activities for use with The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman (2017) to help students understand ELA concepts and history/social studies fact based events of P.T. Barnum and The Greatest Showman. Includes: Be a Hollywood Producer and cast the movie Design a movie poster Create a Movie Marquee Visual Plot Map (4 Stages of the Movie Plot) Interview with a Star (2 pages) Write a Newspaper Article and Teen Mag Article (Audience) Character Chart Graphic Organizer CRE Character Analysis Writing Ringmaster Chant & Rhyme Transformation Pros & Cons (Compare & Contrast) I'm Unique (Traits Chart) Fact or Fiction (Real Life Facts vs. Movie Facts) P.T. Barnum: Just the Facts (History) Barnum's Legacy (Design your own...) Barnum Festival (Design a statue) Barnum Poetry Lots of creative, engaging activities to showcase students' talents and build upon strengths while reinforcing concepts. Fact based information to encourage students to think critically and problem solve while using movie and media for cooperative learning. Great for centers, differentiation, flipped classes, homeschool, G/T, pre-Ap, history, and ELA.

Includes a set of 10 questions with separate answer key for each of the 7 episodes of this series.

Written at a 9th grade level.

Need to show differentiation? You can easily do it with a Movie Guide. Differentiation can take time but that work has been done for you with this Movie Guide!

The Long Game is based on the true story of the San Felipe High School golf team, the Mustangs, a Mexican American golf team that overcame segregation and discrimination to win the Texas state high school golf championship in 1957.

✏️Creative

Spanish Questions too!

✏️Easy-to-use

Color-in Fun!

✏️Engaging

✏️SUB-FRIENDLY

⭐NO PREP NEEDED

• Leave FEEDBACK so you will earn TeachShare credits, which may be applied to your future purchases.

Students are eager to engage in conversation and learning around their identities! This engaging social identity unit explores the 8 Big Social Identities—gender, race, age, religion, orientation, ability, ethnicity, and class—through a blend of activities, texts, videos, music, and projects. Perfect for middle and early high school students, this unit is low prep for teachers, offering print-and-go materials that ensure a seamless teaching experience.

What’s Included:

• 19-Day Unit of 60-Minute Lessons: Each day is planned with detailed agendas and objectives.
• Engaging Slides: Visually appealing and informative slides for each lesson to enhance learning and retention.
• Texts, Videos, Movies, and Music: A variety of multimedia resources to engage students and deepen their understanding.
• Interactive Activities and Projects: Hands-on learning through discourse, writing, reading, annotating, research, data collection, data analysis, presentation building, and peer feedback.

Daily Activities Overview:

Day 1: Understanding Social Identity

• Activities: Do Now prompt, "Cross the Line" activity, discussion, reflection writing.

Day 2: The Big 8 Social Identities

• Activities: Do Now prompt, fill in the Social Wheel, group discussion, reflection writing.

Day 3: Power, Privilege, and Marginalization

• Activities: Do Now prompt, discussion on power and privilege, activity on social identity axis, Turn & Talk, reflection writing.

Day 4: Cultural Heritage and Identity

• Activities: Do Now prompt, whole group reading ("Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan), independent evidence mining, closing discussion.

Day 5: Family Traditions and Social Identity

• Activities: Do Now prompt, whole group reading ("Taco Head"), independent evidence mining, closing discussion.

Day 6: Seminar Preparation

• Activities: Do Now prompt, review evidence mined from readings, seminar setup, discuss seminar norms.

Day 7: Media Representation and Identity

• Activities: Do Now prompt, watch video and read lyrics, independent evidence mining, group discussion.

Day 8: Cultural Pride and Daily Life

• Activities: Do Now prompt, watch video and read lyrics, independent evidence mining, group discussion.

Day 9: Traditional Music and Identity

• Activities: Do Now prompt, review evidence mined from activities, student-led seminar, reflection.

Day 10: Film Connection - "Wonder"

• Activities: Do Now prompt, introduce film and its connection to social identity, film viewing (Part 1), discussion.

Day 11: Continuation of "Wonder"

• Activities: Do Now prompt, preview questions, film viewing (Part 2), discussion.

Day 12: Conclusion of "Wonder"

• Activities: Do Now prompt, preview questions, film viewing (Part 3), discussion.

Day 13: Seminar on "Wonder"

• Activities: Do Now prompt, seminar setup, student-led seminar, reflection.

Day 14: Personal Narrative Writing

• Activities: Do Now prompt, read example narratives, brainstorm, partner sharing, begin writing introduction and body paragraph.

Day 15: Continue Personal Narrative Writing

• Activities: Do Now prompt, review narrative structure, continue writing narrative essay.

Day 16: Peer Feedback on Narratives

• Activities: Do Now prompt, peer feedback, revise essays based on feedback.

Day 17: Identity Mask Project

• Activities: Do Now prompt, introduce identity mask project, sketch ideas, gather materials.

Day 18: Continue Identity Mask Project

• Activities: Do Now prompt, continue crafting masks, wrap up.

Day 19: Finalize Identity Mask Project

• Activities: Do Now prompt, finish crafting and decorating masks, present masks and share reflections.

Key Features:

• Low Prep for Teachers: Print-and-go materials make it easy to implement the unit with minimal preparation.
• Engaging Multimedia Resources: Texts, videos, movies, and music provide diverse perspectives and deepen understanding.
• Explores the 8 Big Social Identities: Gender, race, age, religion, orientation, ability, ethnicity, and class.
• Interactive and Reflective Activities: Encourages critical thinking, self-reflection, and peer collaboration.

Bring social identity to life in your classroom with this dynamic and interactive unit. Equip your students with the knowledge and skills to understand and appreciate the diverse identities that shape our world. Purchase now and make a meaningful impact on your students' understanding of social identity!

Looking for a worksheet for students to complete while watching the documentary "Kiss the Ground"? This is perfect for sub plans and days where student do not have devices, like the end of the year! It features 18 short answers questions and the key. Directions on how to get the movie for free for teachers are also included!

Movie info: "Kiss the Ground" is a documentary that explores the importance of healthy soil for the planet. The film explains how modern agricultural practices have led to soil degradation and environmental issues such as climate change. Most students know very little about the soil even though they interact with it directly or indirectly every day. This activity is perfect for Earth Day or sub plans if your sub has access to the computer (or your favorite partner teacher can set it up for them!)

NGSS - Middle School

• MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
• MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

TN State Standards

• 6.LS2.6: Research the ways in which an ecosystem has changed over time in response to changes in physical conditions, population balances, human interactions, and natural catastrophes.
• 6.LS4.1: Explain how changes in biodiversity would impact ecosystem stability and natural resources.

Includes a question set and separate answer key for each of the 9 episodes of this series.

Written at a 9th grade level.

Los Casagrande Movie Guide

A great movie to hook students and teach about culture.

Includes a reading about Purepechas along with a fill-in activity

and movie guide with answers.

Additional Cultural Points are added.

Including a Coloring Activity, True and False and a traditional Movie Guide.

1. 18-Day Disabilities & Equity Unit Grades 6+ | Project, Essay, Assessments, Seminar

Description:
Explore the theme of equity and disabilities in schools and society with this 18-day unit designed for grades 6+. Students will engage with informational texts, videos, and case studies, leading to a STAAR-aligned extended essay and research project. This resource includes Socratic seminars, assessments, and creative projects to promote critical thinking and empathy. Perfect for SEL, humanities, and cross-curricular classrooms.

2. 18-Day Human Migration & Immigration Unit Grades 7+ | Project, Poetry, Assessments

Description:
Dive into the global topic of migration and immigration with this 18-day thematic unit for grades 7+. Through poetry, short stories, and informational texts, students will explore the historical and contemporary experiences of immigrants. Includes project-based assessments, writing tasks, and creative multimedia projects to foster understanding and empathy. A great resource for ELA, social studies, and SEL instruction.

3. 18-Day Multimedia Anti-Bullying Thematic Unit for Grades 5-8 | SEL Humanities

Description:
This 18-day multimedia unit on anti-bullying for grades 5-8 engages students with a range of media—films, political cartoons, short stories, and songs—to understand the impact of bullying in schools and society. Includes two Socratic seminars, a STAAR-aligned extended essay, and a creative capstone project. Ideal for SEL-focused classrooms and humanities teachers.

4. 19-Day Social Identity Unit | Low Prep | Grades 6-8 | Texts, Videos, and Project

Description:
Help students explore their own social identity and the factors that shape it in this 19-day unit for grades 6-8. The unit includes videos, readings, and group projects focused on themes like identity, community, and belonging. A low-prep, high-impact resource that encourages self-reflection and empathy through engaging multimedia activities and a culminating project.

5. 20-Day Social Media Mental Health Unit Grades 7+ | Project, Essay, Assessments

Description:
Explore the intersection of social media and mental health in this 20-day unit for grades 7+. Students will examine the effects of social media on well-being through informational texts, videos, and podcasts. Includes a STAAR-aligned essay, Socratic seminar, and multimedia project, making it an essential resource for teaching critical thinking and digital literacy.

6. 7-Day World Religions Research & Presentation Unit: Interdisciplinary Grades 6-8

Description:
This 7-day research and presentation unit allows students to explore major world religions through research-based learning. Perfect for grades 6-8, students will develop presentations on various religions, fostering understanding and global awareness. Includes guided research templates, presentation rubrics, and cross-curricular connections.

7. Human Rights 5-Day Research and Writing Unit | Middle School Social Essay Project

Description:
Introduce your middle school students to the concept of human rights in this 5-day research and writing unit. Students will engage with informational texts to explore human rights issues globally and locally, culminating in a social justice essay project. This unit is ideal for quick yet impactful lessons that combine research, writing, and advocacy.

Looking for a worksheet for students to complete while watching the documentary "Kiss the Ground"? This is perfect for sub plans and days where student do not have devices, like the end of the year! It features 18 short answers questions and the key. Directions on how to get the movie for free for teachers are also included!

Movie info: "Kiss the Ground" is a documentary that explores the importance of healthy soil for the planet. The film explains how modern agricultural practices have led to soil degradation and environmental issues such as climate change. Most students know very little about the soil even though they interact with it directly or indirectly every day. This activity is perfect for Earth Day or sub plans if your sub has access to the computer (or your favorite partner teacher can set it up for them!)

NGSS - Middle School

• MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
• MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

TN State Standards

• 6.LS2.6: Research the ways in which an ecosystem has changed over time in response to changes in physical conditions, population balances, human interactions, and natural catastrophes.
• 6.LS4.1: Explain how changes in biodiversity would impact ecosystem stability and natural resources.

Includes a set of 10 questions with separate answer key. Written at a 9th grade level.

Includes 1 set for each of the 7 episodes of season 2 of Blue Planet.

Looking for a Spanish Class appropriate movie?

El Último Vagón is a great movie for the class.

The move takes places in Rural Mexico and it depicts the life of

the children in a rural school.

Includes Answer key and Study Guide that is in Spanish.

Movie Originally is in Spanish and is available on Netflix.

✏️Engaging

✏️SUB-FRIENDLY

⭐NO PREP NEEDED

Please Leave FEEDBACK so you will earn TeachShare credits, which may be applied to your future purchases.

Thank you,

Ariana Perez-Urbina

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