Coming of Age

Coming of Age — Classroom Collection

Guide students through the universal transitions of adolescence—voice, identity, responsibility—with texts that invite debate and reflection. Each film becomes a case study in choices and consequences.

Writing tasks emphasize claim-evidence-reasoning and personal narrative connections.

What you'll find

  • Printable PDF + Google Slides worksheets with short-answer & discussion prompts
  • Answer keys and teacher tips for pacing and differentiation
  • Mix of classic and contemporary films to reach diverse learners
  • CCSS-aligned ELA skills; SEL ties where appropriate

Spotlight Films

  • Dead Poets Society (PG – 1989) — Students evaluate Mr. Keating’s influence, press pause on key scenes to infer theme, and write about the costs of conformity versus the call to ‘seize the day.’
  • The Outsiders (PG-13 – 1983) — Guides focus on loyalty, class identity, and the turning points that force Ponyboy and Johnny to grow up fast.
  • Romeo and Juliet (PG-13 – 2013) — Prompts compare impulsive choices to healthy decision-making, with evidence-based argument writing about responsibility and fate.

Ideal for ELA units on identity, theme, and character change; includes discussion questions and reflective quick-writes.