K12 Movie Guides
West Side Story Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions | Google Slides (PG13 - 2021)
West Side Story Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions | Google Slides (PG13 - 2021)
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West Side Story Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions | Google Slides (PG13 – 2021) challenges students to analyze characters, motives, decisions and song lyrics. Discuss symbolism throughout the film and evaluate arguments. Share opinions and use details from the movie to support them. Explore which character, or group, students personally connect with and write what they would’ve done differently if they were in a similar position. Finally, think about whether or not the final events in the film will make a lasting change on the Jets and the Sharks.
This movie (as of 03/2022) is available for streaming on Disney +
NOTE: This movie guide accompanies the newest version of West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg. If you are looking for the old 1961 version of the film, please see my movie guide here.
Check the preview file for high resolution sample questions to see if this movie guide is suitable for your students. This resource consists of 15 high-level, short answer reflection 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)
- 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 Google Slides Version of the Movie Guide (A PDF with a link to make a copy of the guide to your Google Drive)
- 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.
This movie guide is included in an amazing elective full-year curriculum:
- Film Studies & Movie Analysis Curriculum — A light, plug-and-play sequence of mainstream (mostly G–PG-13) films with strong subtitles that are easy to stream on Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video—ideal for mixed-readiness, intro classes.
Here are my tips for using this West Side Story Movie Guide in your classroom:
- Print one, double-sided West Side Story Movie Guide for each student
- Preview each question on the movie guide as you come to it before resuming the movie
- 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
- After completing the short answers on the movie guide, allow 5-10 minutes for each essay question at the end
- On average, completing this movie guide will require about 30-45 minutes in addition to the length of the movie
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