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Movies From Literature 1 - Adapted ELA
Courtney Runchey
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(35)
In this 14-week class we will discuss and rate the movies viewed each week. These movies are all based on literature and this is a great way to engage students of varying abilities.
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this 14-week class students will explore literature through film. Students will be expected to watch each movie before class each week. Film is an excellent way to gain exposure to an array of modern and classic novels that are often referenced in other works and pop culture. Students of all abilities are able to be successful in this class. Class Structure: Welcome - Greet Students Discussion - Guided discussion about themes of movies. What students liked or didn’t like about the...
Students will discuss films with peers. Students will learn how to write a review of films. Students will compare film as text.
I have worked in education for over 15 years, the last 9 as a homeschool parent. As a parent of three with special needs I have found that all students can be successful in their own way. My goal is to meet students where they are. Communication is key to making sure I can provide your student the best experience. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help your student. My passion is helping students create a deeper understanding of complex material by examining different perspectives. The stories that are told matter, even more in today's world. Understanding another perspective and story can help us relate. I love sharing new diverse literature that is engaging and expands students' understanding. History can come alive using both novels and primary source materials in my classes. When examining history there are many factors that we will discuss including socioeconomic, religious, bias in narration and understanding who the narrator is. Critical thinking is a skill that all students will work on, while we engage in discussions about the topics covered students will be questioned to consider different perspectives and reasons for events or choices. I have taught at a local homeschool co-op for over 7 years (in person and online) During that time one of my favorite classes has been running the middle and high school book clubs. Beside introducing books to students; I have been facilitating the discussions around difficult topics. I have attended many teacher professional developments over the years focusing on how to handle these difficult topics with sensitivity and care. I started my schooling with a B.B.A. from Northwood University. After several years in the corporate climate I decided to go back to school to get a teaching degree. I attended Eastern Michigan University and finished my classes and testing required for the teaching degree. The semester I was to start student teaching one of my children became seriously ill. Once they were recovered I was starting to homeschool my children and never went back to finish the program. While I have taught at several homeschool groups and co-ops. My experience at the high school has focused on several topics: English, History, Finance, and Engineering. With my love of books I ran the middle and high school book clubs for over 5 years. During this time I have also taught classes on essay writing, short stories, grammar and mechanics of writing and novel analysis. I ran the book club and novel analysis class together exploring a new book each month. The class was split into two, one with a middle grade selection and one with a YA book selection. I worked hard to select new books that were diverse, own voices, and covered many genres.(24 books a year) I facilitated discussions about the books we read. This included plot, themes, symbolism, character development, and more. My students have also participated in NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo. I created the Literature through film series at the request of students. While we were reading excellent books and engaging with the primary source material. Students, especially my reluctant or slow readers, wanted to learn about the "classics" without giving up the book club. Some of these students had just started to enjoy reading or couldn't complete 2 novels a month. By using film students were exposed to 14 book-to-film adaptations in one semester. We were able to still discuss all the major elements of our novel analysis. I used passages from the text to discuss unique grammar usage. Some students enjoyed it so much they even read a book or two after watching the movies. With my History classes I use a combination of primary sources, articles, reference materials, and videos to teach students. I teach students to evaluate the bias of the author, the purpose of the piece of writing, and who's points of views are put forth. We were often trying to look at marginalized peoples stories that may not always be highlighted. I have taught both Howard Zinn's History for Young People, Big History Project, and History through film. The classes I taught under Finance, Entrepreneurship and Accounting. While covering the topics themselves I find that students do well with hands-on application of studies. For example my Finance class besides learning the basics of finance. Students researched careers, living locations, wages, housing expenses, job growth or decline projections in the area of their chosen field and living location. With that information they made a budget, calculated mortgage rates, loan interest rates, amount of student loan debt they anticipated and payment schedules. They considered the impact of credit scores and of credit card debt at different interest rates. We also did a class long mock investment tracking, investments over time, and retirement series. Our group was lucky enough to have access to Lego Education Kits. I taught several classes with engineering challenges and using the kits materials. My Outschool engineering classes are based on those I taught at the homeschool groups but do not require a kit.
Homework Offered
Students are expected to watch each film before the class it is assigned. Film length is listed and varies between 1 - 3 hours. Students will also be given a choice of "Ratings and Review" sheets that they can fill out when they watch the film to help them remember what they want to discuss in class. This is not a requirement.2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Students will receive an informal assessment unless a grade is requested. For students that wish to receive grades: Students "Ratings and Review" sheets and class participation will be used to assign a grade for the course.Grades Offered
Students will need to watch the films listed before class. Many are available at the library or online to stream for free or low cost. A choice of "Rating and Review" Sheets PDF will be available in the classroom for students to print at home. I recommend using it while watching the movies so that thoughts can be captured while fresh.
Students will be shown clips from the movies listed when we discuss them. These will be shared from the teachers screen. Students will have watched the films at home before the clips are shown in class.
During class while reviewing these film students difficult or upsetting topics may arise. I take great care to validate students feeling about tough topics, while also keeping the class moving in a constructive way. For example, The Call of the Wild even though this is a "simpler, somewhat sanitized take on the book" students may still be upset with the treatment of animals. If this topic is brought up by students we will discuss how the film used cinematography to tell the story. What film techniques such as CGI, sound, scene cuts, music and more to handle telling the story without harm to animals.
These films were chosen with care and are all rated G or PG. However, you know your student best please review the Common Sense Media guidelines for each movie before registering and consider your student. I have included the recommendations from Common Sense Media ratings and what parents need to know under each movie. The website this information was taken from is: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
1 The Secret World of Arrietty
Rated G 2012 1 hr 34 min
Common Sense 7+, Parents 6+, Kids 6+
Parents need to know that The Secret World of Arrietty is a charming and unexpectedly profound anime film from the Japanese studio responsible for movies like Ponyo, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle. It's full of heart but also has some sad moments and tackles some somber themes -- including illness (Arrietty befriends a child who is said to be dying) and estranged family relationships -- which may make it a little intense for the youngest moviegoers. There's a kidnapping, and a sick young boy's mother sends him away to stay with a relative for a while -- a separation that may upset some little kids. But overall the movie is very sweet, and there's no swearing, smoking, drinking, strong violence, or overly sexy content to worry about.
2 Because of Winn-Dixie
Rated PG 2005 1 hr 25 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 7+, Kids 6+
Parents need to know that beneath the heartwarming, often funny, story of a young girl's relationship with a lovable mutt, Because of Winn-Dixie deals with some significant life experiences, (abandonment, alcoholism, death of a loved one, and the difficulties that come with major change in a child's life). The issues are treated sensitively and gently, without too much detail. Multiple positive messages are either clearly stated or subtly integrated into the story and character arcs. The few action sequences are either comic (dog pulling down policeman's trousers, falls, chases) or mildly suspenseful (flashback of a bear, the dog catching and releasing a mouse, and the dog fearfully reacting to thunderstorms). There is one use of "hell," and a couple of insults ("booger-eater," "retard"); someone steps in some messy dog poop.
3 The Never Ending Story
Rated PG 1984 1 hr 34 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 7+, Kids 8+
Parents need to know that while the overall message of The Never Ending Story, which encourages children to become lovers of books, is a positive one, the scary adventures that take place in the film will scare very young children. The faceless "Nothing" sets out to destroy the land of Fantasia, and while the hero of the film has no weapons (at least until the story's end), he does engage in a bloody clash with one of the Nothing's emissaries. Other potentially upsetting incidents involve a steamrolling monster, bullies throwing a child into a Dumpster, and a beloved horse being sucked into a swamp.
4 Hugo
Rated PG 2007 2 hrs 7 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 7+, Kids 8+
Parents need to know that although Hugo is a book-based period adventure about the art and magic of movies that may be a tad too mature for younger elementary school-aged kids. Between the orphaned main character (whose father dies in a fire), the looming threat of being sent to the orphanage by the mean station manager, and an extended sequence about the history of early film, it's unlikely that kids under 8 will follow the sophisticated story. Since author Brian Selznick's novel is aimed at middle-grade readers, that's a good age to target for the movie, too. Kids who do watch will take away worthwhile messages about perseverance and overcoming fears, and budding filmmakers will especially delight in the movie's second half. Expect a little bit of flirting and hand-holding, a few insults, and one drunk (adult) character.
5 Howl’s Moving Castle
Rated PG 2005 1 hr 59 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 8+, Kids 8+
Parents need to know that Howl's Moving Castle -- based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones -- is a gorgeous animated fantasy from famed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki that includes mildly scary images (featureless blob-men, wraithlike wizards, explosions, and background war scenes) and a couple of dark night scenes. There's a bit of peril/tension when main characters seem to be in danger or possibly injured. The movie's primary imagery is magical and whimsical, including the rather charming titular castle, which clatters and wheezes, walking on mechanical legs. Compassion emerges as one of the film's major themes.
6 The Journey to the Center of the Earth
Rated PG 2008 1 hr 29 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 8+, Kids 8+
Parents need to know that there's plenty for kids to love in this swashbuckling adventure that brings Jules Verne's classic novel to life. Some special effects may be scary for younger tweens, especially the dinosaurs and other creatures that attack humans -- and especially when viewed in 3-D. But there's hardly any swearing and there are plenty of role models, notably a female mountain guide who clearly isn't a damsel in distress.
7 Hoot
Rated PG 2006 1 hr 30 min
Common Sense 8+,Parents 7+,Kids 8+
Parents need to know the film concerns a corporation's illegal effort to build a restaurant on protected land. To stop a saboteur, the local corporate employee sets mousetraps and sends out trained attack dogs. The kids who are trying to stop the building also engage in illegal activities, such as setting loose alligators and cottonmouth snakes, deflating tires, spray-painting a police cruiser, organizing a town meeting under false pretenses, and tying up the villain in a closet. The company boss lies, cheats, and treats his girlfriend callously. Kids and adults use mildly obnoxious language ("dork," "sucks"). A chaste flirtation develops between the boy and girl protagonists.
8 The Tale of Despereaux
Rated G 2008 1 hr 33 min
Common Sense 6+, Parents 6+, Kids 7+
Parents need to know that although it's animated, this adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's popular Newbery-winning fantasy about a brave mouse tackles mature themes like longing, grief, loyalty, and hurt. There's nothing worrisome in the story aside from a relatively minor character's sudden heart attack and a few scenes of implied violence (there isn't any blood or guns, though Despereaux has a fascination with swords). But because the story's pacing is slower than most animated films and the themes could be difficult for preschool children to grasp, it may be hard for the family's littlest members to understand what some of the characters are feeling.
9 Nim’s Island
Rated PG 2008 1 hr 35 min
Common Sense 7+, Parents 8+, Kids 7+
Parents need to know that Nim's Island is kid-friendly adventure movie that has some intense moments of peril (particularly during two scary storms) but is ultimately a positive story with a great role model for tween girls (and boys!). The book-and-science-loving 11-year-old heroine is left alone on a tropical island by her father (her mother died when she was a baby, which is explained in the opening sequence) and has to fend for herself when he's delayed in getting back to her. She gets scared and upset and even hurts herself, all of which may bother some young and/or sensitive kids, but she's also resourceful and not afraid to ask for help.
10 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Rated PG 2005 1 hr 55 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 8+, Kids 8+
Parents need to know that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a colorful kids' adventure that -- like the book -- includes some intense scenes. Obnoxious children are ridiculed visually and in words by the Oompa Loompas and dispatched. One girl blows up into a giant blueberry, another boy is sucked into a tube, the other girl is attacked and pinned down by squirrels who proceed to throw her down a garbage chute. In one early scene, dolls burn up and their eyeballs pop out. The movie is much closer in dark tone to the book than its cinematic predecessor. Willy Wonka himself seems to disdain families.
11 The Jungle Book
Rated PG 2016 1 hr 35 min
Common Sense 9+, Parents 8+, Kids 9+
Parents need to know that The Jungle Book is a live-action/CGI update of Rudyard Kipling's classic book of short stories that has many scary/intense scenes involving menacing wild animals. With its blend of live-action and photo-realistic computer-generated effects, this action-packed adventure -- which was inspired by Disney's 1967 animated musical and has an all-star voice cast that includes Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken, and Scarlett Johansson -- tells the story of young Mowgli (Neel Sethi), the orphaned "man cub" raised as a wolf and hated by the jungle's most vicious predator, tiger Shere Khan. There are several jump-worthy, intense moments (including one sudden and particularly sad death and several vicious animal fight sequences involving fangs, fur, claws, snarls, and roars) that are very likely to scare younger viewers (especially when seen in 3-D). Kids who are familiar with the story and know the animals they're seeing aren't real will probably be fine, but preschoolers and younger elementary-aged kids who have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality may not be able to handle Mowgli's frequent peril. All of that said, on the definite upside, the movie is gorgeous, and there are clear, strong messages about the importance of courage, teamwork, family (especially the non-traditional kind), and friendship.
12 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Rated PG 2001 2hrs 32 min
Common Sense 7+, Parents 7+, Kids 7+
Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first movie in the massively popular and successful Harry Potter series (all based on the books by J.K. Rowling), has some intense and scary moments. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends -- who are only 11 years old here -- are in peril and get hurt, but not seriously, and most of the scares come from fantasy creatures. There's a flashback to the (bloodless) death of Harry's parents and discussion about how they died and the villain who killed them. Characters show courage, teamwork, and loyalty. Friendship, standing up for others, expressing compassion, generosity, perseverance, and the triumph of the underdog are also strong themes.
13 Ella Enchanted
Rated PG 2004 1 hr 34 min
Common Sense 8+, Parents 7+, Kids 7+
Parents need to know that Ella Enchanted has some crude language ("bite me," "cute butt") and social drinking. It is supposed to be humorous when a character gets tipsy and has a drinking problem. There is violence, including fighting, knives, and swordplay, and there are a couple scary scenes where a main character is in peril. A character is hit in the crotch in a slapstick fight. In a more serious fight, it appears that a character is killed, but it turns out not to be the case. Ella's mother becomes ill and dies. Ella is ordered to shoplift and due to the curse, must obey.
14 The Call of the Wild
Rated PG 2020 1 hr 42 min
Common Sense 9+, Parents 9+, Kids 9+
Parents need to know that The Call of the Wild is a family-friendly adaptation of Jack London's classic novel. Starring Harrison Ford, it's a simpler, somewhat sanitized take on the book -- which makes it more appropriate for younger viewers -- but the themes and messages of London's story are still as crisp as a Yukon sunrise. Canine hero Buck and his friends are often in peril; the dogs escape it, but humans, not always. Buck suffers one significant hit from a human on-screen, and additional animal abuse is implied through taunts, the sound and verbal acknowledgement of a whip, and seeing dogs passed out, pushed beyond their limit. Ford's character, John Thornton, stands up to Buck's owner about this cruel treatment, and Buck stands up to his pack's alpha dog, Spitz, who also behaves with bullying behavior. There's an epic dog fight as a result, but both animals end up fine (the same unfortunately can't be said for a cute rabbit that's killed by a mean dog). The movie is set on the frontier, where the saloon is the center of the community. Alcohol flows, but drinking is negatively portrayed, and Buck actually teaches temperance. The theme of this story has always been that life is a two-sided coin: You'll encounter the good with the bad, the great with the terrible, moments of danger and moments of security. Life is unfair, but it's also what you make of it, with new beginnings and final endings. And through the eyes of a CGI dog set against gorgeous scenery, it's an exhilarating family experience with themes of courage, perseverance, and teamwork.
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(35)
I have worked in education for over 15 years, the last 9 as a homeschool parent. My passion is helping students create a deeper understanding of complex material by examining different perspectives. The stories that are told matter, even more in...
Group Class
$15
weekly or $200 for 14 classes1x per week, 14 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-9 learners per class
