Make It Raines

Rhetorical analysis of Taylor Swift's "The Man," both lyrics and music video. Document includes brief intro to song and paragraph prompt. Could be adjusted for discussion or longer assignment. Has been used successfully in AP Language and Composition.

Rhetorical analysis of political cartoons. Can be used as an introduction to rhetoric or as a review. This series of handouts includes over a dozen political cartoons. Could be used as a jigsaw, homework, or class discussion.

Venn diagram compares "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving and the film adaptation Ichabod and Mr. Toad. Includes response and discussion questions. Has been used successfully in both Film Studies and American Literature.

Unit bundle for Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist! Includes quizzes, unit calendar, bookmarks, activities, reflections, and a final project!

Les Mis "Stars" Analysis Students analyze the lyrics from the Les Miserables musical song "Stars," which provides insight to the character of Inspector Javert. They are asked to compare this depiction to his characterization in the book. While this activity is based on reading an abridged version Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (published by Random House, ISBN 9780449911679), it could be used with any version of the book. The 25th Anniversary Concert edition of the musical is superb!

Victor Hugo Poetry Scavenger Hunt Students are given a list of poetic devices and asked to hunt for them in a Victor Hugo poem. This could be used as a stand-alone poetry activity or as part of a larger unit on poetry or France/French literature. It has been used as part of unit revolving around Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

The Alchemist Exploring Beliefs Worksheet This worksheet should be done in the second half of reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. This worksheet asks students to reflect on Sanitago's beliefs as well as their own to identify both Santiago's and their own worldview. This activity takes about a half hour to forty-five minutes but could easily stretch, especially with the addition of a reflection piece.

The Alchemist Literary Device Chart Students will track Paulo Coehlo's use of various literary devices and their meanings/effect in his book The Alchemist.

This assignment asks students to create a written and visual review of an animated movie of their choice. This assignment covers multiple ELA standards and can be used in English or Film courses. Includes a grading rubric and partial sample.

Students will analyze a film's visual design by watching only the first 10 minutes of four different films. They will decipher a film's time and place establishment as well as character insight based on elements of visual design. Has been used successfully in a Film Studies course. Could also be used in a smaller capacity in an ELA classroom as students watch a film adaptation of a work on literature.

This activity asks students to identify a key decision made by a character, a decision that impacts the narrative. Students then reimagine the story if that decision had been different. This assignment has been used in both English and Film courses (with the film Batman Begins) and could be used for any text or film. It also makes a great basis for discussion.

Eponine Comparison Analyze the complex character of Eponine in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables in comparison to the character in the 25th Anniversary Concert Edition of the musical. While this activity is based on reading an abridged version Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (published by Random House, ISBN 9780449911679), it could likely be used with any version of the book.

Persepolis Reading Log Handout for students to track each section of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. The book is broken into three chunks for students to track several sections. At the end of each chuck, there is a reflection question. Can be submitted after each chunk or at the end of the novel. Especially helpful for students who may struggle with compression or memory.

Schindler's List Movie Activity Students complete this worksheet as they view Schindler's List directed by Steven Spielberg. They are asked to analyze various cinematic techniques as well as the impact of these techniques on the film and the viewer. There are reflection questions to be addressed mostly at the end of the film.

Students will analyze the impact of sound effects in film using Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Includes response questions that could be adapted to other films as well.

Worksheet analyzing the rhetoric of the documentary "He Named Me Malala." Used successfully in AP Language and Composition with discussion after the documentary.

Analyzes opening credits from Superman (1978), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and Citizen Kane (1941) (along with opening 10 minutes of the film). Response questions ask students to analyze how the opening credits indicate a film's dramatic structure. Includes film clips as well.