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90s Movie Magic

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Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Introduce students to 90s cinema by exploring its cultural impact and basic film elements through brainstorming and clip analysis, setting the stage for deeper media literacy.

Grounding students in the era’s context and film vocabulary promotes engagement, critical thinking, and prepares them to analyze movies more effectively throughout the unit.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

90 minutes

Approach

Multimedia clips, group brainstorming, and guided discussion.

Materials

Projector and Screen, Whiteboard and Markers, Sticky Notes, Film Analysis Worksheet, Introduction to 90s Cinema Slides, and Selected 90s Movie Clips Compilation

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

10 minutes

  • Welcome students and outline the 5-session unit on 90s movies
  • Show the session’s goals on Introduction to 90s Cinema Slides
  • Briefly discuss why the 1990s remain influential in pop culture

Step 2

Warm-Up: Movie Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Distribute sticky notes to each student
  • Prompt: “Think of one 90s movie title you know or have heard of”
  • Students write titles and post on the whiteboard
  • Group similar titles and note emerging themes or genres

Step 3

Presentation: What Is Cinema?

15 minutes

  • Use Introduction to 90s Cinema Slides to define key film elements (genre, character, theme)
  • Highlight how social context shapes movies
  • Ask students for examples from their brainstorm to illustrate each element

Step 4

Group Activity: Film Clip Analysis

25 minutes

Step 5

Class Discussion: First Impressions

15 minutes

  • Reconvene and invite groups to share one key insight from their worksheets
  • Facilitate discussion on recurring themes and how clip context reflects 90s culture
  • Record highlights on the whiteboard for reference in future sessions

Step 6

Cool-Down: Reflection Exit Ticket

15 minutes

  • Ask students to write on a sticky note: one takeaway from today and one question they have about 90s movies
  • Students post exit tickets on the designated board area
  • Collect and review to inform the next session’s focus
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Slide Deck

90s Movie Magic: Session 1

Welcome to our 5-session journey through 1990s cinema!

In this unit, we will:

  • Explore cultural impact of 90s films
  • Learn key film elements
  • Analyze movie clips in small groups
  • Create your own film reviews

Welcome students to the unit. Briefly introduce yourself and explain that over five sessions they’ll explore iconic 90s films to build media literacy and critical thinking.

Session 1 Goals

By the end of today, you will be able to:

• Identify basic film elements (genre, character, theme)
• Understand why the 1990s remain influential
• Practice analyzing a short movie clip

Read aloud the session goals and connect each to today’s activities. Encourage students to ask questions.

Why 90s Movies?

• Cultural resurgence: grunge music, hip-hop, Marvel Comics boom
• Blockbuster era: Jurassic Park, Titanic, The Matrix
• Innovation: early CGI, independent filmmaking scene

Explain how the 90s shaped pop culture. Mention examples like the rise of Hollywood blockbusters, indie films, and the advent of digital effects.

Key Film Elements

Genre: category/style of the story

Character: people (or beings) who drive the plot

Theme: underlying message or big idea

Define each element and illustrate with student-familiar examples. Ask for a 90s movie they know that fits each category.

The 90s Cultural Context

• Technology: VHS tapes, dial-up internet, arcade games
• Music & Fashion: grunge flannels, pop idols, rave culture
• World Events: end of Cold War, rise of MTV

Highlight social and technological context of the decade. Link these points to movie examples like WarGames for tech or Clueless for fashion.

Explain that students will watch short clips and then complete the Film Analysis Worksheet in groups. Remind them to note characters, plot points, and initial themes.

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Worksheet

Film Analysis Worksheet

Movie Title:






Date:




Plot Summary:












Main Characters:

  1. __________________________ (Role/Description)



  1. __________________________ (Role/Description)



  1. __________________________ (Role/Description)



Theme(s):

  • What is a possible theme or message in this clip?






90s Cultural Context:

  • Identify any aspects of 90s culture reflected in the clip (technology, fashion, music, events, etc.):






Questions & Observations:

  • What questions do you have about this clip?






  • Note one thing you found interesting or surprising:






Use this worksheet to record your group’s insights as you watch the 90s movie clip in Session 1.

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