Welcome to my blog index page, where I showcase posts that teach writing, reading, and language arts skills using animated shorts. These films are highly motivational for students, and these high-interest films make learning fun and engaging.
My posts offer a range of teaching methods using animated shorts that can help students develop critical thinking and communication skills. You can find posts on plot structure, point of view, theme, inference, figurative language, and more. Each post includes a link to a free animated short, along with teaching ideas, handouts, and activities you can use in your classroom or home.
Whether you’re an educator looking for new teaching methods or a parent interested in fun and practical learning resources, I invite you to check out my posts below and see if this teaching method works for your students. I hope you and your students enjoy watching and learning from these animated shorts. Happy teaching!
Nov 20
I’m so excited to join the Sharing Our Blessings blog hop again this year! This annual event brings together upper elementary bloggers who love supporting teachers with meaningful, ready-to-use resources and spreading a little holiday cheer. What I’m Thankful For As I reflect on this season of gratitude, I’m especially thankful for: Teachers who bring …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8022
Nov 17
Both Coin Operated (Nicholas Arioli) and One Small Step (Taiko Studios) feature children with dreams of space travel and the long paths they take to reach them, but their journeys are wildly different in tone, logic, and genre. One leans into whimsical fantasy, the other into emotional realism. If you’re looking to teach summary writing …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1969
Oct 30
The animated short Crow: The Legend is an incredible storytelling tool for teaching upper elementary students about theme, character development, and plot structure. With a powerful message, stunning animation, and a strong cultural foundation, it provides many opportunities for skill-based learning—plus, students love it. This post includes a free handout pack with printable and digital …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2459
Jun 07
Looking for a short film that sparks big discussions? One Small Step by Taiko Studios is a heartfelt animated short that tells the story of Luna, a young Chinese American girl chasing her dream of becoming an astronaut. With almost no dialogue, the film unfolds through expressive animation, emotional music, and carefully crafted scenes that draw …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1954
Mar 03
If you’re looking for engaging activities to enhance your theme lessons, animated shorts are a fantastic way to teach this important reading skill. These short films are high-interest, visually engaging, and often convey powerful themes in just a few minutes. This post provides four animated shorts that can be used to teach the theme. Lesson …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5616
Dec 16
Using animated shorts to teach character traits can be a powerful way to engage students in storytelling and character analysis. One fantastic example is the Pixar-produced short film Geri’s Game. This entertaining and content-rich animation provides valuable opportunities for students to explore character traits in depth. Conveniently embedded below, the film is easily incorporated into …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5618
Dec 09
If you want to add high-interest activities to your lessons, use animated shorts to teach problems and solutions. Animated shorts provide a captivating way to engage students in understanding and identifying problems and solutions within a narrative. This post focuses on using the animated short “Taking the Plunge” to teach problems and solutions. Handouts for …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5620
