Stories, lessons, recommendations

The Movie Guide Blog

Discover movies worth showing in your classroom, with practical insights on the themes, learning opportunities, and educational value of each one.

Showing 9 posts

Grades 1–4

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966): The Halloween Classic That Explores Perseverance, Belief, and Holiday Tradition

This 25-minute Halloween special follows the Peanuts gang through Halloween night, built around Charlie Brown's bad luck and Linus's steadfast belief in the Great Pumpkin. The story is simple but packed with character, making it a natural fit for lower primary classrooms around Halloween. A ready-to-use guide covers comprehension, creative writing, and seasonal activities to keep students engaged throughout.

15 June 2026Read more →

Grades 2–6

Ferdinand (2017): The Animated Adventure That Connects Identity and Courage to Book-to-Screen Storytelling

Ferdinand is a gentle giant of a bull who would rather sit in a field of flowers than fight in a ring, and the story built around that simple idea carries genuine warmth and some surprisingly sharp things to say about expectations, identity, and what it means to stay true to yourself. Based on Munro Leaf's classic children's book, it gives teachers a natural bridge between the original text and the screen. The 12-page guide supports the viewing with differentiated comprehension questions, storyboard and synopsis work, and a set of writing and reflection tasks.

13 June 2026Read more →

Grades 1–3

The Lion King (1994): The Animated Epic That Explores Responsibility, Moral Choice, and Facing Grief

The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion cub who is driven from his home by a treacherous uncle and must eventually find the courage to return and take responsibility for his pride. Students in grades 1 to 3 connect with the story immediately, drawn in by the songs, the humour, and the genuine emotional weight of Simba's journey. This 7-page guide gives them structured tasks to complete before, during, and after the movie.

7 June 2026Read more →

Grades 1–4

A Bug's Life (1998): The Insect-Eye Adventure That Teaches Community Dynamics and Overcoming Fear

A Bug's Life follows Flik, a misfit ant who accidentally loses his colony's food supply and sets off to recruit warriors, only to return with a troupe of hapless circus bugs. Students in grades 1 to 4 are drawn into the story immediately, rooting for Flik from the first scene. This 9-page guide gives them a structured way to engage with the movie through comprehension questions, a storyboard, insect identification, and creative drawing tasks.

6 June 2026Read more →

Grades 1–6

Moana (2016): The Disney Movie That Opens Up Polynesian Mythology for Your Classroom

A warm and adventurous Disney musical about a Polynesian chief's daughter who sets sail across the ocean to save her people, guided by the demigod Maui. Culturally rich, beautifully animated, and full of material that works across multiple year groups.

1 June 2026Read more →

Grades 1–6

Coco (2017): The Pixar Movie That Brings Mexican Culture to Life

A richly animated Pixar adventure about a boy who crosses into the Land of the Dead in search of his musical dream, and discovers the truth about his family along the way. Students come away with genuine curiosity about Mexican culture and traditions that most of them have never encountered before.

1 June 2026Read more →

Grades 1–6

Hoppers (2026): The Sci-Fi Adventure That Demystifies Ecological Science and Makes Activism Worth Talking About

Pixar's most science-rich movie in years follows a young animal lover who hops her consciousness into a robotic beaver to save a woodland habitat from destruction. Funny, fast-moving, and packed with real educational value for science and environmental classrooms.

29 May 2026Read more →

Grades 1–6

The Magic Faraway Tree (2026): The Fantasy Adaptation That Connects Tech Addiction to Nature and Imagination

A warm, magical movie based on Enid Blyton's beloved classic that sparks imagination and opens up rich discussion about family, nature, and the pull of technology. Here's why it works in the classroom, and how my movie guide makes the most of it.

29 May 2026Read more →