The animated short film The Catch (by Ringling College of Art and Design) tells a fable‑like story of generosity, perseverance, and unseen rewards. A young boy sent to gather food for his village finds his fortune changing after helping an unlikely companion: a hungry fox in trouble. With powerful visual storytelling and a strong moral message, this 4‑minute film is an ideal way to teach theme writing using animated shorts in upper-elementary classrooms. Students can explore character motivation, problem‑solution structure, and deeper messages through a highly engaging medium.
This post includes a free handout pack with all the printable and digital materials you’ll need to bring this lesson to life—plus new ideas for taking your instruction deeper.
👉 Grab the handout, which includes two graphic organizers and a Google Slides version.
🎥 About the Film
The Catch (3:59)
A young boy fishes for food but catches only one tiny fish. When he hears a fox crying nearby, he investigates and finds the animal trapped. After freeing it, the fox grabs the boy’s small catch and runs—but instead of stealing, the fox leads the boy on a difficult journey that ends at a magical lake filled with large fish.
In the end, the boy shares his catch with the fox, who vanishes into glowing particles—hinting that he is more than just an ordinary animal.
✏️ Lesson Plan Overview
This lesson is designed for grades 4–6 and can be completed over 1–2 class periods. It works well during a reading block, writing workshop, or even a short film unit.
Students will:
- identify the story’s major problems and solutions using a chain-style organizer
- infer two central themes and gather evidence to support each
- write a short paragraph explaining one selected theme in detail
- reflect on the deeper message behind the boy’s journey and the role of the fox
Aligned Standards:
RL.4–6.2
RL.4–6.3
W.4–6.1
SL.4–6.1
🗂️ What’s Included in the Free Handout Pack
✅ Problem and Solution Chain – Students sequence key moments and explain how each challenge leads to the next.
✅ Theme Organizer and Writing Prompt – Students choose two possible themes, collect proof, and explain one in writing.
✅ Google Slides Version – Perfect for digital classrooms or Google Classroom
Check to get the free handout.
✏️ Activity Preview
📌 1. Problem and Solution Chain
This visual activity helps students track how each small event leads to a larger change in the story—and in the character.
- Problem: The boy must bring food to his village.
- Solution: He tries to fish but catches only a small one.
- Problem: A fox steals the fish.
- Solution: The boy chases the fox through rough terrain.
- Result: The fox leads him to a lake with plentiful fish.
💡 Extension: Use this organizer to discuss how structure reinforces the theme.
📘 2. Discovering Theme
Students identify two core themes, gather textual “proof” for each, and then write a paragraph explaining one.
Examples include:
- A kindness is never wasted. – The boy helps the fox and is repaid in an unexpected way.
- Self-initiative matters .– Despite setbacks, the boy keeps trying and takes bold actions.
Students reflect on how these messages connect to fables and real-life decisions.
Ready to get started?
All activities are included in both printable and Google Slides formats. Click below to access the full resource pack.
Want more?
This lesson is part of the Teach Writing with Animated Shorts series—a collection of upper elementary writing lessons built around short films. Each post includes a free printable pack, standards‑aligned organizers, and engaging prompts designed to help you teach theme writing with animated shorts in meaningful, accessible ways.
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If you are looking to add some high interest activities to your lessons, try using animated shorts to teach reading and writing skills. This packet contains graphic organizers covering many Common Core skills. $Save$ when you purchase this mega bundle which includes all 12 units.
3 comments
Keep on writing, great job!
Hi, I read that you are a special education teacher. I’m wondering if you have any resources (activities, worksheets and printables based on book units) that are suitable to teach kids with autism in middle school?
Thanks!
Author
Hi Liz,
Here is a good place to look: http://www.bookunitsteacher.com/bookunits.htm at samples for many of my units. For middle school, I really like Freak the Mighty, Hatchet, and Holes.