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PIXAR SHORT-FILMS
Building Paragraphs
A Scaffolded Approach to Building Expository Essay Paragraphs
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This product can be used with any short-film or movie.
Purpose: Teach an Expository Essay Body Paragraph that uses a short-film to make a connection with a
concept students are discussing in their controlling ideas. The scaffolded approach divides the
paragraph into the topic sentence, short-film summary, and the connection (this is where they zoom in
on a particular scene in the short film to connect to the controlling idea). The independent practice
approach would be used AFTER the scaffolded approach or with advanced students and includes a peer
revision element to ensure that the paragraph is built correctly.
Scaffolded
Independent
Pixar Short-Films Can Be Found on YouTube
Pixar Short-Film Title
Concepts
“Piper”
Fear, Change, Courage, Coming of Age, Independence,
New Abilities
Love, Courage, Destiny,
Family, Identity, Change, Coming of Age, Independence,
New Abilities
Sacrifice, Love, Friendship
Acceptance, Identity, Differences
Learning, Mistakes,
“Paperman”
“La Luna”
“Feast”
“For the Birds”
“Lifted”
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Key/Teacher
Guide
Topic Sentence
Provide transitions that could be used with topic sentences and teach students
how to punctuate short-films.
Summary
Remind students to keep the summary detailed enough so that the reader
knows what happens, but short enough so that the entire paragraph isn’t
just a summary. Providing sequencing transitions and BME graphic
organizers can help those that struggle with this part.
Connection
This is the part that requires the student’s explanation. Have them ZOOM
in on one particular scene (or a few connected scenes), but they should
NOT simply be summarizing; they should be explaining how those scenes
support the controlling idea. Provide concluding transitions here.
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