CREATE LESSON PLANS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND
Most Learning Guides, including those that are not listed in this section, contain suggested writing assignments and discussion questions through which students can practice many of the skills required by the 2010 Common Core State Standards, College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing, pp. 41 – 47, and for Speaking and Listening, pp. 48 – 50. The Guides listed in this section refer to movie adaptations of the literature of specific countries. This index also lists Guides and lesson plans that will help teachers introduce specific literary devices (Section D) or the Hero’s Journey (Section E). Finally, Section F, lists Guides intended to assist in getting students to read nonfiction texts. Teaching Students to Read Nonfiction: How Movies Can Help.
For English Language Arts and Literature Classes (Including the traditional curriculum, Media Literacy, and Multimodal Literacy)
For Shakespeare and other dramatists, see Drama (Stage) Subject Index.
Animal Farm
(Literature/England & Literary Devices; World/Russia; SEL: Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [6+; Literary genre: Allegory]
Emma
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [12+]
Great Expectations
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Macbeth
(Drama; Literature/Literary/Devices: Characterization; SEL: Ambition; Work/Career; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [14+]
The Old Curiosity Shop
(Literature/England; SEL: Gambling Addiction; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [11+]
Oliver!
(Drama/Musicals; Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Spousal Abuse; Crime; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [8+]
Oliver Twist
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Spousal Abuse; Crime; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10+]
A Passage To India
(World/India & England; Literature/England; SEL: Friendship; Romantic Relationships; Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect) [12+]
Persuasion
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Pride and Prejudice
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Sisters; Humility; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: theme; foils, contrasting characters; character development; subplot; irony; and use of letters read by a character.]
Sense and Sensibility
(Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Sisters; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [12+]
Tale of Two Cities
(Literature/England; World/France & England; Char. Dev: Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Rebellion; Addiction; Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]
For traditional curriculum in English Language Arts and Literature Classes but also stressing Media Literacy, and Multimodal Literacy
For Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and other dramatists, see Drama (Stage) Subject Index.
12 Years a Slave
(U.S./1812 – 1865; Literature/U.S. (Slave Narrative); Biography; SEL: Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
127 Hours
(English Language Arts; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
The Adventures of Huck Finn
(U.S./1812 – 1860, Diversity & Missouri; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Breaking Out; Running Away; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [6+]
All The King’s Men
(U.S./1913 – 1941, Politics & Louisiana; Literature/U.S.; SEL Ambition; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Fairness) [13+]
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
(Health, ELA, United States (1949 to 1991; 1991 to Present; and the Press); SEL: Father/Son; Male Role Model; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]
Beautiful Dreamers
(Biography/Whitman; Literature/U.S.; World/Canada; Medicine; SEL: Male Role Model; Mental Illness; Breaking Out; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+; useful for getting students to read and appreciate the poetry of Walt Whitman]
Billy Budd
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: theme, characterization & irony; World/Britain; Seafaring; SEL: Justice; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [14+]
Bridge to Terabithia
(Literature/U.S.; U.S./1945 – 1991 & Virginia; SEL: Friendship; Grieving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10-13]
Charly
(Science Fiction; SEL: Disabilities; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; Responsibility) [10+]
The Chosen
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: Theme, Symbol, Irony; Religions/Judaism; U.S.: 1941 – 1945 & New York; SEL Parenting; Father/Son; Friendship; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [10+]
The Color Purple
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: motif, theme, symbol, characterization; U.S./1865 – 1913, 1913 – 1929; & Diversity/African-American; SEL: Breaking Out; Self-esteem; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
Corner In Wheat
U.S. History 1865 – 1913; ELA (ironic metaphor); Cinema; SEL: Work/Career; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring. [NR]
Cowspiracy
(The Environmentment; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Cross Creek
(U.S./1865 – 1913 & Florida; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Female Role Model; Parenting; Friendship; Suicide; Running Away; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+; the events that inspired The Yearling]
Empire Records
(a Reward Film and ELA writing exercises; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; Trustworthiness) [Ages 14 – 17; 90 minutes; MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and for scenes and references to drug use and promiscuity (all of which show these activities in a negative light)] This movie describes a pivotal day in the life of the manager and several employees of a record store . . . as well as one crazy shoplifter. Can they resolve their personal crises? Will the record store be bought by a corporate giant? Empire Records has lots of music, some dancing, and volumes to say about friendship. The movie fosters social-emotional learning and contains no violence.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
(Literature/U.S.; World/Between World Wars & Spain; SEL: Courage in War; Romantic Relationships; Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [12+]
The Grapes of Wrath
(U.S./1929 – 1941; Oklahoma & California; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Families in Crisis; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]
The Great Gatsby
(U.S. 1913 – 1929 & New York; Literature; Literary Devices: symbol, imagery, motif, flashback, characterization; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Little Women
(U.S./1860 – 1865 & Massachusetts; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Female Role Model; Families in Crisis; Parenting; Sisters; Coming of Age; Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [6+]
Midnight in Paris
(Literature/U.S.; Visual Arts; Music; World/France; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]
Moby Dick
(Literature/U.S.; Seafaring; U.S./1812 – 1860 & Massachusetts; SEL: Revenge, Humility; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [10+]
Native Son
(U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity & Illinois; Literature/U.S.; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Justice; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Responsibility; Fairness) [15+]
Of Mice And Men
(Literature – U.S.; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [13+]
The Old Man and the Sea
(Literature/U.S.; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [12+]
The Outsiders
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices; U.S./1945 – 1991; SEL: Brothers; Coming of Age; Courage; Fighting; Friendship; Peer Pressure; Redemption; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring) [11+; Literary devices analyzed: expository phase; flashback; symbol; foreshadowing; Bildungsroman; irony; protagonist/antagonist confusion and theme.]
The Ox-Bow Incident
(U.S./The Frontier and the West; 1865 – 1913; The Law; & Nevada; SEL: Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
(Literature/U.S.; SEL: Child Abuse; Courage; GBLTQ; Friendship; Romantic Relationships; Mental Illness; Suicide; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]
Precious
(Health; ELA (for cross-curricular assignments); Psychology; SEL: Child Abuse, Self-esteem, GBLTQ; Parenting, Taking Care of Yourself; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility, Caring) [15+; 121 minutes]
The Red Badge of Courage
(U.S./1860 – 1865; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Redemption, Coming of Age; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [10+]
The Scarlet Letter
(U.S./1629 – 1750 & Massachusetts; Religions/Christianity; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Redemption; Romantic Relationships; Revenge; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [12+]
The Shootist
(U.S./1865 – 1913; Literature/Myths of the Western Genre; Literary Devices: theme & characterization; Cinema; SEL: Coming of Age; Illness (Serious); Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [14+]
Multi-Media Supplement for Jonathan Edwards’ “SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD”
Using “Sinner Man” in Song and in Dance to Enliven the Study of the Sermon, Enhance its Meaning, Demonstrate the Metaphorical Nature of Artistic Expression, and Foster Appreciation for the Arts (U.S. 1629 – 1750; ELA — American Literature, Metaphor; Music; Dance) [15+; 3 minutes, played several times]
To Kill A Mockingbird
(U.S./1929 – 1941, the Law & Diversity; Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices; SEL: Justice; Male Role Model; Courage; Mental Illness; Parenting; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect; Responsibility; Fairness; Caring; Citizenship) [11+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol; flashback; irony; humor.]
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
(U.S./1812 – 1865; 1865 – 1913; and African Americans & the Civil Rights Movement; Literature/U.S. (Narrative Writing); SEL: Human Rights; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Fairness) [10+]
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
(Health; Literature; SEL: Breaking Out; Disabilities; Parenting; Families in Crisis; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Where the Red Fern Grows
(SEL: Grieving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Perseverance; Fairness,) [8-12+]
The Words
(Literature; SEL: Ambition, Romantic Relationships, Work/Career; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [15+]
The Yearling
(U.S./1865 – 1913 & Florida; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Male Role Model; Coming of Age; Running Away; Father/Son; Mother/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [8 – 12 ]
English Language Arts, Literature Classes, Media Literacy, and Multimodal Literacy
All Quiet on the Western Front
(Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect; Citizenship; Caring; Subjects: World/Germany & WWI) [12+]
The Book Thief
(World/Germany, WW-II, ELA (theme, personification, symbol, & irony); SEL: Families in Crisis; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility, Caring) [13+; 121 minutes]
Gulliver’s Travels
(Literature/Ireland; World/Enlightenment; SEL: Peace/Peacemakers; Courage in War; Humility) [7+]
Les Misérables
(Literature/France; World/France; SEL: Redemption; Suicide; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness, Caring) [8+]
The Life of Emile Zola
(Biography; World/France; Literature/France; SEL: Justice; Talent; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Fairness) [10+]
The Odyssey
(World/Ancient Greece; Mythology; Literature & Literary Devices; Seafaring; SEL: Humility; Surviving; Marriage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [14+ for the movie; 11+ for the book. Literary devices analyzed: simile, metaphor, flashback; symbol.]
Ponyo
(Literature/World; World/Japan; SEL: Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [5+]
The Swiss Family Robinson
(Literature/England; World/Indonesia; Science-Technology; SEL: Families in Crisis; Brothers; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [6 – 12]
For traditional curriculum in English Language Arts and Literature Classes stressing Media Literacy, and Multimodal Literacy
Behind the Sun
(World/Brazil & Albania; ELA; SEL: Revenge; Breaking Out; Brothers; Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; Responsibility) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: symbols, subplot, flashback, foreshadowing, and irony.]
Billy Budd
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: theme, characterization & irony; World/Britain; Seafaring; SEL: Justice; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [14+]
The Book Thief
(World/Germany, WW-II, ELA (theme, personification, symbol, & irony); SEL: Families in Crisis; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility, Caring) [13+; character-driven stories, plot, irony, and deriving theme; 121 minutes]
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
(World/WWII & Germany; ELA; SEL: Human Rights; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Responsibility; Caring) [13+; Literary Devices Analyzed: irony]
Casablanca
(Romantic Relationships; Redemption; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring; Citizenship; Subjects: U.S./1941-1945; World/WWII; France & Morocco; ELA: Extended Metaphor; Allegory; Hero’s Journey) [12+]
Cast Away
(U.S./1945 – 1991 and Tennessee; ELA: expository phase; motif; symbol; theme development; dramatic irony) [13+]
Cast Away
Set-Up-the-Sub
(ELA: expository phase; motif; symbol; theme development; dramatic irony) [13+]
The Chosen
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: Theme, Symbol, Irony; Religions/Judaism; U.S.: 1941 – 1945 & New York; SEL Parenting; Father/Son; Friendship; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [10+]
The Color Purple
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: motif, theme, symbol, characterization; U.S./1865 – 1913, 1913 – 1929; & Diversity/African-American; SEL: Breaking Out; Self-esteem; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
Crash
(U.S. – 1991 to Current; Diversity; California; Literary Devices: Irony; SEL: Mother/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
Dear Frankie
(ELA (Characterization, Theme & Complication); SEL Disabilities, Mother/Son; Subjects: Health, Literature) [12+]
Edward Scissorhands
(U.S./1945 – 1991; ELA SEL: Friendship; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [13+; Literary devices analyzed: expository phase, setting, character; development, theme.]
Fly Away Home
(Health (Grieving); ELA: theme, characterization, backstory, allusion, complication; Science(Biology); the Environment; World/Canada; SEL: Grieving; Parenting; Father/Daughter; Caring for Animals; Teamwork; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [10+]
The Great Gatsby
(U.S. 1913 – 1929 & New York; Literature; Literary Devices: symbol, imagery, motif, flashback, characterization; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Groundhog Day
(Literature; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]
High Noon
American History and Civics Classes
(U.S./The Frontier & the West, 1865 – 1913 and 1945 – 1991 (the Red Scare); Cinema; SEL: Marriage; Leadership; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [11+]
High Noon
ELA Classes
(Literature/Myths of the Western genre; Literary devices: symbol; motif; foil; and expository phase; SEL: Marriage; Leadership; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [11+]
High Noon
Snippet Lesson Plan
Expository Phase ELA: Expository Phase [12+; snippet: 15 minutes, 20 seconds; lesson: one to two class periods]
In Her Shoes
Snippet Lesson Plan: Analysis and Explication of Poetry
[14+; snippet: 10 minutes; lesson: two class periods plus time to write a concluding essay]
Into the Wild
(Literature: NonFiction; Literature: Literary Devices: theme; allusion; U.S.: 1945 – 1991; SEL: Taking Care of Yourself; Families in; Crisis Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
The Simpsons: The Ladykillers
Introducing the Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe Using The Raven (from “The Simpsons”) and To Helen (from “The Ladykillers”)
[14+; snippets: 8 minutes; lesson: from one to three 45 – 55 minute classes, depending on the assignments given]
Les Choristes
(Music; World/France; Literature/Poetry Analysis; Literary Devices: theme; SEL: Self-esteem; Talent; Education; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10+; in French with English subtitles]
Lord of the Flies
(ELA; U.S./1945 -1991; SEL: Peer Pressure; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [13+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol, character development, theme, irony.]
Macbeth
(Drama; Literature/Literary/Devices: Characterization; SEL: Ambition; Work/Career; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [14+]
Man on Fire
Snippet Lesson Plan: The Child Savior Myth and Literary Archetypes – An Introduction
[14+; snippet: 22 minutes; lesson: one class period]
Mao’s Last Dancer
(Literature: NonFiction; Literary Devices: allegory/parable; Biography; World/China; U.S.: 1945 – Present; Dance; SEL: Breaking Out; Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Deriving Theme — Using the Fishing Scene
[12+; snippet: 14 minutes; lesson: one 45 – 55 minute class period]
The Ox-Bow Incident
(U.S./The Frontier and the West; 1865 – 1913; The Law; & Nevada; SEL: Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Snippet Lesson Plan: Determining Theme
[10+; snippet: 15 minutes, Lesson: three 45 – 55 minute class periods]
Roxanne
(Drama; ELA: irony; characterization; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Self-esteem; Moral-Ethical Emphasis Respect) [12+]
The Sandlot
(Sports/Baseball; ELA Discussion and Writing Exercises for middle and junior high school; SEL: Friendship; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10 – 14]
The Searchers
(U.S./1865 – 1913; ELA SEL: Revenge; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [13+; Literary devices analyzed: expository phase, character development, theme.]
The Shootist
(U.S./1865 – 1913; Literature/Myths of the Western Genre; Literary Devices: theme & characterization; Cinema; SEL: Coming of Age; Illness (Serious); Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [14+]
The Simpsons
Snippet Lesson Plan: The Raven section – Introducing the Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe
[14+; snippets: 8 minutes; lesson: from one to three 45 – 55-minute classes, depending on the assignments given]
Stand and Deliver
(U.S./1941 – 1996, Diversity & California; Mathematics; ELA; SEL: Male Role Model; Self-esteem; Education; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility; Citizenship) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: character, symbols, subplot, foils, and irony.]
Swan Lake
(Dance/Performance; ELA; SEL: Romantic Relations; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10+; Literary devices analyzed: metaphor; symbol]
Thelma and Louise
Foreshadowing and Characterization
[14+; snippet: 40 minutes; lesson: One and one-half to two 45 – 50 minute class periods]
Comparing Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” with the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil”
[14+; snippet: 8 minutes; lesson: one 45 – 55 minute class period]
War of the Buttons
Using Characterization in Literary Analysis
(ELA: characterization; World/Ireland; SEL: Fighting; Friendship; Leadership; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [10+]
Water
(World/India; Religions/Hinduism; ELA; SEL: Human Rights; Suicide; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring; Fairness) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: character, symbols, subplot, foils, and irony.]
Whale Rider
(World/New Zealand; ELA, including characterization, symbol, and foil; SEL: Breaking Out; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Writing Narratives: Teaching Students to Write a Narrative; English Language Arts — secondary school level.
Big
Internal Growth Using a Romantic Comedy With a Child Hero [12+]
Casablanca
(Romantic Relationships; Redemption; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring; Citizenship; Subjects: U.S./1941-1945; World/WWII; France & Morocco; ELA: Extended Metaphor; Allegory; Hero’s Journey) [12+]
Departures
Internal Growth Using a Foreign Film [14+]
Fly Away Home
Two Journeys, One of Internal Growth and One of Environmental Achievement, With a Young Heroine [12+]
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Science (Biology & Physics); World (Africa & Malawi); Biography (William Kamkwamba); ELA; SEL: Male Role Model; Education; Father/Son; Families in Crisis; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; [10+]
Mao’s Last Dancer
(Literature: Nonfiction; Literary Devices: allegory/parable; Biography; World/China; U.S.: 1945 – Present; Dance; SEL: Breaking Out; Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Into the Wild
(Literature: Nonfiction; Literary Devices: theme; allusion; U.S.: 1945 – 1991; SEL: Taking Care of Yourself; Families in; Crisis Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar Acceptance Speech – February 9, 2020
ELA; Civics; Social Emotional Learning: Human Rights, Justice, Redemption; Animal Rights
Mao’s Last Dancer
(Literature: NonFiction; Literary Devices: allegory/parable; Biography; World/China; U.S.: 1945 – Present; Dance; SEL: Breaking Out; Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Dr. Strangelove
(U.S./1945 – 1991; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Gulliver’s Travels
(World/Enlightenment; Literature/Ireland; SEL: Peace/Peacemakers; Courage in War; Humility) [7+]
The Invention of Lying
(ELA: Social Satire; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [13+]