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 organizers to help students examine the theme, summarize the story’s events, and analyze the traits of characters like Crow, Skunk, and the celestial figures who guide their journey.
👉 Be sure to get the handout. It includes the printables you need to complete the activities mentioned in the post, as well as a link to a Google Slides version.
Teach Myth and Legend Writing with the Animated Short Crow: The Legend
🌟 Why This Film Works So Well in the Classroom
Cultural storytelling meets cinematic excellence in this short film from Baobab Studios. Inspired by a Native American legend and featuring an all-star cast (including John Legend and Oprah Winfrey), the film explores themes of sacrifice, courage, identity, and transformation.
At just under 20 minutes, the film is best used over two class periods or split across reading and writing blocks. Students will be hooked by the colorful animation and narrative—and you’ll love how easily it ties into key reading and writing standards.
📘 Lesson Plan Overview
This lesson is designed for grades 4–6 and spans 2–3 class sessions.
Students will:
- identify key character traits and track character growth
- summarize the sequence of events in narrative order
- explore themes like courage, transformation, and diversity
- use evidence from the text (film) to support their thinking
- analyze how music and visuals help build mood and tone
Aligned with Standards
RL.4–6.3
RL.4–6.7
W.4–6.2
What’s Included in the Free Printable Pack
Character Trait Chart – describe Crow, Skunk, Owl, Moth, and others
Plot Sequencing and Summary Organizer – guide students to write a full summary
Theme Organizer – two themes with two pieces of supporting evidence for each
Answer Keys – help guide discussion and model expectations
Google Slides Version – ready-to-use for paperless classrooms
Classroom Activities Preview
1. Crow: The Legend Character Traits
Use a graphic organizer to help students explore the personalities and motivations of each character. From Owl’s wisdom to Moth’s bravery and Skunk’s admiration, students analyze how each character contributes to the central conflict.
Example:
- Crow: Proud, self-absorbed at first, but ultimately brave and self-sacrificing
- Skunk: Shy and kind, but also persuasive and brave when needed
- The One Who Creates Everything by Thinking: A creator who tests Crow’s character
2. Plot Summary with Sequencing
Students use a list of key moments to construct a complete, clear summary. This supports their ability to structure narrative writing and also helps reinforce cause-and-effect and character motivation.
Topics include:
- the shift from eternal summer to harsh winter
- Crow’s journey past Sun and Moon
- the symbolism of fire and transformation
- Crow’s final sacrifice and emotional resolution
3. Theme Organizer
Students identify two key themes and back each one up with textual evidence from the short. The handout guides student thinking.
Example Themes:
- Sometimes you must be brave and selfless to help others
- Everyone is diverse, with unique talents and strengths
Bonus Discussion – Music & Mood
You might also ask: How does the music shape the viewer’s experience?
The score by Lorne Balfe weaves together modern and traditional elements to highlight changes in mood, from tranquility to tension to triumph. This optional extension builds listening comprehension and cross-media analysis skills.
Ready to Teach?
Whether you’re building a film study unit or just want to bring more engaging texts into your classroom, this free resource will help you teach essential reading and writing skills with meaning and heart.
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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.
