Star Wars Saga Assessment | Hero's Journey & Cinematography Focus (9 Weeks for Grades 9-12)

A stand-alone, 9 week assessment that has students compare the Original Trilogy (IV–VI) to the later films (I–III, VII–IX) through filmmaking craft and individual Hero's Journeys. Students take extensive notes throughout all 9 films in the Star Wars Saga. Then after the last film, students write two focused responses showing how editing, cinematography, sound, and VFX change meaning across eras, and build a concise Hero’s Journey schema that works across the saga.

NOTE: Designed as a light curriculum to pair with teacher-provided screenings of all nine films—no lesson plans, or individual movie guides included.

What’s Included

• Teacher PDF (assessment overview + pacing tips)
• Student Copy (fillable prompts + “What to Watch For” tracker)
• Answer Key/Exemplar (sample notes and model responses)
• Parent Guide (ratings snapshot for all 9 films)
• Permission Slip (editable)
• Formats: PDF + editable Google Docs (Can upload to Google Docs)
  

FAN ALERT! Take your Star Wars fandom pedagogy to the next level!

• Get the complete 9 week rigorous full quarter curriculum here!
• Get the full 9 episode bundle of movie guides here! SAVE 30%

How It Works (at a glance)

• Week 1: Distribute assessment + tracker; explain note-taking during viewings.
• Weeks 1–9: Students jot quick evidence after each screening segment.
• Week 9: Students submit two required write-ups:

1. 1. Craft Changes Meaning (Cinematography) (paired scene analysis, OT vs. later film)
   2. Hero’s Journey Blueprint Across Eras (8 concise steps mapped to two heroes)
      

Who/What Subjects This Targets

• ELA, Media Studies, Visual Arts, Digital Media
• Grades 9–12 (adjust depth with the included exemplar)
  

Standards Alignment

• CCSS ELA: CCRA.R.1, R.2, R.5, R.7; CCRA.W.1, W.2, W.9; CCRA.SL.1; CCRA.L.4
• Media Literacy: Integrate/evaluate information from film as text (R.7)