Features

PDF Curriculum: Immediately available, downloadable, printable*
Credits: Fulfills the literature analysis compnent of a high school ELA credit (Average Level)
- See explanation of ELA credit HERE.

Includes 15 study guides (also sold individually), each with fillable fields**

Background information
List of characters
Theme or themes being highlighted
Vocabulary
Questions that build thinking skills and explore how the movies’ themes unfold
Answer Keys for parents

Introducing Cinema Studies for Literature Learning, a full-year high school literature curriculum using movies to teach literary analysis!

Teens can develop essential literature analysis skills through film, fulfilling the literature analysis portion of one year’s high school ELA credit.

This course is ideal for visual learners, reluctant readers, teens who find reading time-consuming, and movie lovers!

With fillable fields, teens have options:

Answer the questions on the computer, then …
- - email to the parent for grading OR
  - print the page and turn in for grading
Print the guides, write answers by hand, turn in for grading

10-Day, No-Questions-Asked, Money-Back GUARANTEE on all 7Sisters curriculum!

You’ll receive two ZIP files containing PDFs: one for the student, with the individual study guides, and one for the parent, with the Introduction and Answer Keys.

(The movies themselves are not included in this Bundle. Please check your local library, streaming services, and sites such as Amazon for rental or purchase. See also 7Sisters blog, “Finding the Movies for 7Sisters Cinema Guides” for additional ideas.)

Good movies tell good stories—and great storytelling uses the same literary devices and techniques found in respected works of literature. With a little help from a study guide, teens can explore literary elements and analyze excellent storytelling through the visual medium of film.

Can movies really count as literature study? While reading books remains an important part of a teen’s high school education, studying literature through movies can be a great option for students who feel overwhelmed by demanding reading lists.

**How Does Cinema Studies for Literature Learning Work?**

Each study guide walks your teen through a simple, no-busywork process:

Read the introduction and watch the movie. Answer questions as you go, pausing the movie occasionally to explore key ideas and literary devices.
Take a week to reflect. Give the themes and literary techniques time to sink in. Discussing answers with someone else is encouraged to deepen understanding.
Watch the movie again. With fresh insights, your teen will notice details and connections that may have been missed the first time.
Complete the writing assignment. Each study guide ends with a suggested assignment that builds literary analysis and writing skills. Students should already have a basic understanding of paragraph structure and essay writing.

This relaxed, purposeful approach to high school literature study helps teens develop critical thinking skills with no busywork and no overkill!

Elements of Literature brought into focus in Cinema Studies for Literature Learning Bundle:

Theme
Universal and Personal Symbolism
Satire
Archetype
Motivation
Internal and External Conflict
Static and Dynamic Characters
Extended Metaphor
Father and Son Stories
Fiction as Social Commentary
Suspension of Disbelief
Dramatic Foils
The Nature of Heroism
Irony
Foreshadowing
Composite Characters
Classic 3-Act Plot Structure
Sub-plot
Deus Ex Machina
Farce
Bildungsroman (Coming of Age Story)
Fairy Tales, Legends, Myths, and Allegories
Juxtaposition
Allusion

*You may print any 7Sisters curriculum for your own family’s use.

Print at home or use a local print shop in your area.
Work with a printing company.
- Watson Family Press specializes in printing homeschool curriculum. 7Sisters customers SAVE with discount code: 7SISTERS

**Learn more about Cinema Studies for Literature Learning at these 7Sisters blogs and podcasts:**

Cinema Studies in Your High School Homeschool Co-Op

Movies for Educational Purposes in Homeschool High School

How to Use Movies as Literature Studies

A Book and a Movie – Interview with Ticia Messing

Hear What Families Are Saying

“I’m teaching the Literature Analysis through Cinema at our co-op to 15 high schoolers. It’s going really well. Discussion is always lively as they like to share their likes and dislikes of the movie right away. I use the study guide questions to then spur good discussions and the writing prompts are all solid. There’s always a meaty literary element to learn and you can easily expand on it even if you don’t have that kind expertise. Elements like character development, static or dynamic, satire, subplots, and many other things like metaphors and comedy etc. It’s really great. The curriculum doesn’t have any grammar lessons or parts of speech or writing instruction, but you can easily add that yourself during the second week when the students are working on their written response. It’s also been fun to give background info on the actors of the time the movie was made and what was happening in the culture at that time compared to now. We have also talked about how the movie would be different if it was made in this current culture. Very good class.” – J.S.

“They were perfect for my dyslexic student!” – A.W.

“We’ve enjoyed the cinema studies too. Reading a book then watching a movie has been a great way to keep my learner motivated.”- E.M.

“We love the cinema studies!”- H.B.

Reviews

Using 7Sisters Cinema Studies for Literature – Sallie Borrink

Cinema Studies for Literature Learning – Our Experience – Sarah May

7Sisters Educational Philosophy and Curriculum:

7Sisters curriculum is unique! It’s a no-busywork curriculum, adaptable to varying levels of academic rigor. Following guidelines in the curriculum, teens complete coursework that is personally meaningful to their interests, needs, and goals. Read more about the 7Sisters educational philosophy!

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