To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Guide (1962)

To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Guide (1962) challenges students to think critically about the plethora of important concepts in this classic movie based on Harper Lee’s novel. Explore Atticus Finch’s ideals and watch as the plot helps students develop sympathy.

This resource consists of 14 high-level, short answer and essay questions that will do more than just ask your students to regurgitate information.

This product .zip file includes:

• A student movie guide, PDF print version (5 pages)
• A Google Google Slides version of the movie guide
• An answer key (5 pages) is included, however, some answers will vary as students are encouraged to construct their own meaning throughout the film and many questions are open-ended.
• A generic movie guide permission slip (1 page)
• CCSS alignment indicating standards met, PDF (1 page – see also preview image)
  • CCSS Note: I’ve taken the liberty of aligning certain reading standards with the act of consuming content via the movie instead. Although students aren’t reading they are asked to perform the same cognitive functions on the content that they consumed from the movie.

Language Note: The characters portrayed in TKAMB use racially charged language that teachers and students may find uncomfortable or offensive. Obtaining parent permission and school approval is advised.

This movie guide is included in two different film elective curriculums:

• Film as Literature & Cinematic Arts Curriculum (FULL YEAR) — A more rigorous track built around canonical, mature titles prized for depth and analysis—iconic selections that may be harder to source, best for honors/AP-bridge and seminar-style courses.
• The Civil Rights Film Studies Unit (5 WEEK) – A Standalone 5 week curriculum to integrate into a film analysis elective or any upper middle school or high school Social Studies/Government Curriculum.

Here are my tips for using this resource in your classroom:

1. Print one, double-sided To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Guide (1962) for each student
2. Preview each question on the movie guide as you come to it before resuming the movie
3. Pause at the times designated on the movie guide and help students if necessary
   • Discussion here is great, encourage and allow students to share their ideas and thoughts for any question
   • Discourage students from simply copying answers
   • If needed, and if time allows, feel free to rewind and show important parts of the movie for additional analysis
4. After completing the short answers on the movie guide, allow 5-10 minutes for each essay question at the end
5. On average, completing this movie guide will require about 30-45 minutes in addition to the length of the movie