Middle School Movie Guides

If your students loved reading Kwame Alexander's The Crossover, they need to see the new Disney+ series! As teachers, we want our students to be engaged, even when they are watching a film. With this resource, students will be challenged to think critically about the text and film in a variety of ways including comparing and contrasting, evaluating director decisions, and tracking character development across the series. Check out the preview for one handout from the bundle!

This resource includes:

• A double-sided handout for each episode 1-8
• Each handout contains:
• Do now question, discourse questions, compare and contrast section, and two rigorous writing tasks in DOK 3 or 4 and Bloom's Taxonomy Evaluate/Analyze categories.
• Each handout contains a teacher-facing answer key with answers students may write about.

The Crossover Summary: Kwame Alexander's text The Crossover is a coming-of-age story written in verse about 7th graders Josh and Jordan Bell as they navigate life, family, friendship, health, and most importantly basketball! The book became a graphic novel and later an 8 episode series streaming on Disney plus!

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

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.

While watching the movie How to Train Your Dragon, students will analyze the characters in the movie. They will describe the character's traits using adjectives. They will also take a deeper look into Hiccup's character and how he changes from the beginning of the movie to the end of the movie and what events cause that change. Students will also look at Toothless and how his character impacts the story. I hope you enjoy it. Please rate and review.

Includes a set of 12 comprehensive questions that guide students through the documentaries.

Includes a set for each of the documentaries in this series.

The Congress, Statue of Liberty, Thomas Hart Benton, Brooklyn Bridge, Huey Long, Empire of the Air, and The Shakers.

Written at a 9th grade level.

Includes separate answer keys.

The Short Clip and the Questions are in Spanish.

Students watch a short clip that summarizes DAY OF THE DEAD and then color the Catrina.

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!!

If your students loved reading Kwame Alexander's The Crossover, they need to see the new Disney+ series! As teachers, we want our students to be engaged, even when they are watching a film. With this resource, students will be challenged to think critically about the text and film in a variety of ways including comparing and contrasting, evaluating director decisions, and tracking character development across the series.

This resource includes:

• A double-sided handout for episode 6
• This handout contains:
• One do now question, three discourse questions, compare and contrast section, and two rigorous writing tasks in DOK 3 or 4 and Bloom's Taxonomy Evaluate/Analyze categories.
• This handout contains a teacher-facing answer key with answers students may write about.

Check out every episode bundled 1-8: Disney's The Crossover Series Text Companion Handouts Episodes 1-8 BUNDLE (TeachShare.com)

Looking for a simple worksheet for students to complete while watching the last episode, episode 8 of Our Planet: Forests?

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.

This is a movie watch-along activity to go with How to Train Your Dragon. Students will identify the main idea of the movie and also the theme. They will need to provide supporting details for the main idea and the theme.

This is a great product to help keep students engaged and focused while they watch the movie, and provide some practice for main idea and theme!

I hope you enjoy it. Please rate and review.

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.

Looking for a lesson on LOS TARAHUMARAS (RARAMURIS)?

⭐I have created this mini-lesson to teach students about this beautiful group.

Includes Movie guide for Netflix documentary:

Lorena la Pies ligeros, in both English and Spanish.

Includes a Short Questionnaire with answers

☀️A Current Event of the Tarahumaras and the History of the Raramuri.

⭐NO PREP NEEDED

Buscas una lección sobre LOS TARAHUMARAS (RARAMURIS)?

He creado esta mini-lección para enseñar a los estudiantes sobre este hermoso grupo.

Incluye una guía de película para el documental de Netflix:

Lorena la Pies ligeros, en inglés y español.

✏️Authentic

Incluye un cuestionario corto con respuestas.

☀️Un evento actual de los Tarahumaras y la historia de los Rarámuris.

1. Examination Day Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Dive into Henry Slesar's thought-provoking short story, "Examination Day," with a full-week ELA unit plan designed for middle school. This comprehensive package includes detailed Socratic seminar procedures, engaging choice board activities, and dynamic presentation slides to encourage critical thinking and student-led discourse on themes of intelligence testing and government control.

1. Harrison Bergeron Full-Week ELA Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Explore Kurt Vonnegut's classic dystopian tale, "Harrison Bergeron," in this complete week-long ELA unit. Middle school students will engage deeply with themes of enforced equality and individuality through structured Socratic seminars, creative choice board activities, and informative slides, all designed to foster critical analysis and vibrant classroom discussions.

1. All Summer in a Day Comprehensive Week-Long Lesson Plan: Seminar, Choice Board

• Immerse your students in Ray Bradbury's poignant story, "All Summer in a Day," with this extensive unit plan. The curriculum includes everything you need to facilitate meaningful discussions around themes of isolation, bullying, and the longing for sunshine. Engaging seminars and diverse choice board activities provide varied learning opportunities that cater to different student interests and learning styles.

1. The Pedestrian Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Step into the futuristic world of Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian" with this detailed unit plan for grades 6-8. Through thoughtful Socratic seminars, a creative choice board, and educational slides, students will analyze the story's critique of technological dependency and societal conformity, developing critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom.

Looking for a simple worksheet for students to complete while watching episode 6 of Our Planet: High Seas?

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

This is a movie watch-along activity to go with How to Train Your Dragon. Students will identify the main idea of the movie and also the theme. They will need to provide supporting details for the main idea and the theme. I hope you enjoy it. Please rate and review.

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.

El Chavo Animado Episode Guide

Includes:

• Guide
• Answers
• Character PAGE
• Coloring Page
• EXTRA information Page

As always my guides provide a cultural exploration piece.

3 Episodes!

Transform your middle school ELA classroom with this comprehensive bundle of 12 highly engaging short story units. Each unit is meticulously designed to provide a full week of dynamic lessons, complete with detailed plans, interactive slides, a choice activity board, Socratic seminar questions, three STAAR-aligned essay prompts, a film vs. text Venn diagram, and the text PDF. These short stories will captivate your students and enhance their literary analysis skills, making learning both fun and meaningful.

Included Short Stories:

1. The Most Dangerous Game
2. Sorry, Wrong Number
3. The Hitchhiker
4. The Way Up to Heaven
5. Lamb to the Slaughter
6. The Landlady
7. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
8. Harrison Bergeron
9. Examination Day
10. The Pedestrian
11. All Summer in a Day
12. There Will Come Soft Rains

Bundle Features:

1. Comprehensive 5-Day Lesson Plans: Each story unit includes a detailed five-day lesson plan, ensuring a structured approach to teaching. Lessons are aligned with educational standards and include clear objectives and outcomes.

2. Interactive Slides: Engage your students with interactive slides that guide them through the story, provide context, and facilitate discussions. These slides are designed to keep students focused and involved.

3. Choice Activity Board: Each unit comes with a creative choice board, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through various projects such as writing an alternate ending, creating a comic strip, designing a literary brochure, and more.

4. Socratic Seminar Questions: Encourage critical thinking and in-depth discussion with six thought-provoking Socratic seminar questions for each story. These questions help students delve deeper into the text and analyze its themes, characters, and literary elements.

5. Three STAAR-Aligned Essay Prompts: Each unit includes three essay prompts (argumentative, correspondence, and informational) that are aligned with STAAR standards, helping students practice their writing skills and prepare for standardized assessments.

6. Film vs. Text Venn Diagram: Enhance your students' analytical skills with a film vs. text Venn diagram activity. Students compare and contrast the short story with its film adaptation, focusing on key similarities and differences.

7. Text PDF: Each unit comes with a PDF of the short story, making it easy to provide students with the text for reading and annotation.

Why Choose This Bundle?

• Engaging Content: These short stories are highly engaging and perfect for capturing the interest of middle school students. The diverse selection of stories includes suspense, science fiction, dystopian themes, and more.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Save time with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources. Each unit is designed for easy implementation, ensuring you can focus on teaching and engaging your students.
• Develop Critical Thinking: The activities and discussions included in each unit promote critical thinking, literary analysis, and deeper understanding of the text.
• Flexible and Adaptable: The bundle provides flexibility in teaching, with a variety of activities and assessment options to suit different learning styles and classroom needs.

Perfect for middle school humanities teachers, this bundle offers everything you need to deliver engaging and effective ELA lessons throughout the year. Enrich your curriculum and inspire your students with these timeless short stories and comprehensive teaching resources.