Decorative composite image of film stills from The Magic of Chess, Wash Day and Perfect Houseguest
Lesson Plan

Grades K-2

This FilmED Lesson Plan focuses on themes such as identity, race, difference, and self-acceptance. It includes a selection of four short films, each with an accompanying Film Guide, that we hope will amplify diverse stories and filmmakers, as these talented artists share how they craft their own visions and voices through the power of art and storytelling, and inspire your students to share their own experiences.

These Film Guides are customizable. You will see that the sections focus on different areas such as the theme, the characters, the filmmakers, and what we call “The Bigger Conversation.” Read through the Film Guides to see which sections and questions speak best to you and your class.

Curriculum Materials

The curriculum materials crafted around each Lesson Plan are meant to support you, the educator, in leading meaningful conversations with your students, highlight the individual filmmakers and voices behind these stories, and allow opportunities for students to expand their learning while sharing their observations, ideas and experiences among one another.

Teaching Support

NOTE TO TEACHERS

Find tips for watching short films with your class and helpful resources for inquiry-based discussions

GLOSSARY + FILM TERMS

A complete inventory of keywords for discussing film

Film Guides

EACH FILM GUIDE INCLUDES
  • Question prompts and conversation starters that teach students to watch films actively and thoughtfully.
  • Background information and informative Q&As with filmmakers, which will help students see the ways a filmmaker can use the different tools of filmmaking to craft a meaningful story.
  • Resources to support you in leading challenging and important conversations around the themes of the films, which include identity, inclusion, and perseverance.
WATCH THE FILMS IN THE ORDER PRESENTED

We’ve suggested the films in a particular order, with accompanying materials that build upon interpretation and media-literacy skills. As the students watch the films and gain observational and literacy skills, they should be able to understand and discuss the more challenging films that we present later in the Lesson Plan.

Identity, Grades K-2

01  Perfect Houseguest
Grades K-2

Max Porter & Ru Kuwahata  |  United States

A lovely animated film that creates accessible points of entry to initiate conversations with the youngest grades around identity, difference, assumptions, and stereotypes.

View Film Guide
Identity, Grades K-2

02  Wash Day
Grades K-2

Jaida Salmon  |  Canada

A visually vibrant, easily accessible film that amplifies Black stories on screen and behind the camera, and affords all ages an entry into discussions of identity, gender, and representation.

View Film Guide
Identity, Grades K-2

03  The Magic of Chess
Grades K-2

Jenny Schweitzer Bell  |  United States

A short doc with a very inclusive portrait of young chess players that demonstrates they come from all backgrounds and genders, and lets kids share in their own words lessons of resilience and tenacity and facing their fears.

View Film Guide

Learning Standards

This Lesson Plan and its respective Film Guides address national and NY state standards for the arts, English Language arts, and Media Literacy.

NY State Media Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards:

Kindergarten:
MA:Re7.1.K
MA:Re8.1.K
MA:Re 9.1.K
MA:Cn10.1.K
MA:Cn11.1.K
MA:Cn11.2.K

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5

2nd Grade:
MA:Re7.1.2
MA:Re8.1.2
MA:Re9.1.2
MA:Cn10.1.2
MA:Cn11.1.2
MA:Cn11.2.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8

1st Grade: 
MA:Re7.1.1
MA:Re8.1.1
MA:Re9.1.1
MA:Cn10.1.1
MA:Cn11.1.1
MA:Cn11.2.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8

Site Credits

LEAD CURRICULUM DEVELOPER & DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION ADVISOR
Angela Garcia

EDUCATION MANAGER
Jessica Polaniecki, NYICFF staff

SPECIAL ADVISOR FOR EDUCATION
Jane Royal, NYICFF Board of Directors

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION REVIEWER
Aya Taveras

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
Francesca Campanella, Kiss Me I’m Polish

CREATIVE DIRECTION
Agnieszka Gasparska, Kiss Me I’m Polish

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
Andrea Stein-Davis, Car of Tomorrow

NYICFF EXECUTIVE TEAM
Nina Guralnick, Executive Director
Maria-Christina Villaseñor, Programming Director