Animated Story Detectives

April Nicotera

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will sequence three key events from an animated short film and begin to identify character perspectives by naming feelings and motivations.

Sequencing strengthens comprehension by clarifying story structure, and perspective taking builds empathy and critical-thinking—key skills for reading success.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade Special Education Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive film analysis and hands-on sequencing.

Materials

Session 1 Slide Deck, - Animated Short Film Clip: The Present, - Sequencing Worksheet - Enlarged Font, - Perspective Chart Printout - Enlarged Font, - Story Detective Badges, - Sequence Puzzle Game Cards - Enlarged Font, - Movement Break Cards, and - Session 1 Quiz: Sequencing & Perspectives

Prep

Review Materials & Arrange Classroom

10 minutes

Print and enlarge Sequencing Worksheet - Enlarged Font and Perspective Chart Printout - Enlarged Font.
Prepare Sequence Puzzle Game Cards - Enlarged Font and Story Detective Badges.
Queue Animated Short Film Clip: The Present on classroom device.
Lay out Movement Break Cards in activity area.
Review Session 1 Slide Deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Greet students wearing Story Detective Badges.
Quick turn-and-talk: name a favorite movie moment in order.
Show definition of sequencing on first slide of Session 1 Slide Deck.

Step 2

Introduction to Sequencing

7 minutes

Play first half of Animated Short Film Clip: The Present (~2 min).
Ask students to list what happened first, next, and last.
Record responses on chart paper or board.

Step 3

Movement Break

3 minutes

Distribute Movement Break Cards.
Students perform a quick stretch or spin based on their card.
Regroup and refocus for the next activity.

Step 4

Sequencing Activity

5 minutes

Hand out Sequencing Worksheet - Enlarged Font.
In pairs, students order three picture cards from the film.
Circulate to assist and confirm correct sequences.

Step 5

Perspective Taking Discussion

5 minutes

Display Perspective Chart Printout - Enlarged Font.
Ask: “How did the boy feel when he received the gift?”
Fill chart with emotions and brief evidence from the film.

Step 6

Quiz & Reflection

5 minutes

Distribute Session 1 Quiz: Sequencing & Perspectives.
Students complete 3 sequencing and 2 perspective questions.
Review answers together and celebrate detective work.

Slide Deck

Animated Story Detectives: Session 1

Sequencing & Perspective Taking

Welcome Story Detectives! Today we’ll learn how to put events in order and start thinking about how characters feel. Explain that sequencing helps us understand story structure and perspective boosts empathy.

Warm-Up

Turn-and-talk with a partner:
• Name a favorite movie moment in order:
– First …
– Next …
– Last …

Warm-Up (5 min): Have students turn to a partner and share a favorite movie moment, naming what happened first, next, and last. Circulate and prompt with “What happened first?” if needed.

What Is Sequencing?

• Putting story events in order
• Uses words: First, Next, Last

Define sequencing. Read the slide aloud and point to each bullet. Check for comprehension by asking “Why do we say first, next, last?”

Play the first half (~2 min) of the animated short film “The Present.” Ask students to watch carefully because they will sequence what they see.

Your Turn: Sequence Events

What happened?
• First: ______
• Next: ______
• Last: ______

After the clip, ask volunteers to share what happened first, next, and last. Record responses on board or chart paper.

Movement Break

Grab a card and do the action:
– Stretch & Reach
– Spin in Place
– Shake It Out

Movement Break (3 min): Distribute movement break cards. Encourage students to stand and do the action on their card. Use this to refocus before work.

Sequencing Activity

• In pairs, order the three picture cards from the film.
• On your worksheet, write First, Next, and Last under each picture.
• Raise your hand when you’re done.

Sequencing Activity (5 min): Hand out enlarged sequencing worksheets and picture cards. Pair students. They place cards in order and write First/Next/Last. Provide support as needed.

Perspective Taking

Question: How did the boy feel when he received the gift?

Emotion: __________
Evidence from the film: __________

Perspective Taking Discussion (5 min): Show this slide and the enlarged chart printout. Ask: “How did the boy feel when he received the gift?” Prompt for emotion word and evidence from the clip.

Quiz & Reflection

• Complete 3 sequencing questions.
• Answer 2 perspective questions.
• Share one answer with the class.

Quiz & Reflection (5 min): Distribute the enlarged quiz. Students complete 3 sequencing and 2 perspective questions. Then review answers together and celebrate detective work.

Great Job, Story Detectives!

See you next time for more detective work!

Wrap up: Praise effort, remind detectives of next session’s focus on deeper perspective-taking. Dismiss with enthusiasm.

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will infer characters’ deeper motivations and emotions from an animated film clip and explain their reasoning with evidence.

Developing inference skills strengthens reading comprehension by helping students read between the lines and understand characters’ unspoken thoughts—key for critical thinking and empathy.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade Special Education Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided inference chart and interactive card game.

Materials

Session 2 Slide Deck, - Animated Short Film Clip: Feast—Inference Scenes, - Inference Worksheet – Enlarged Font, - Inference Chart Printout – Enlarged Font, - Story Detective Badges, - Inference Card Game Cards – Enlarged Font, - Movement Break Cards, and - Session 2 Quiz: Inference & Perspective

Prep

Prepare Materials & Tech

10 minutes

Print and enlarge Inference Worksheet – Enlarged Font and Inference Chart Printout – Enlarged Font.
Shuffle and set out Inference Card Game Cards – Enlarged Font.
Queue Animated Short Film Clip: Feast—Inference Scenes and review Session 2 Slide Deck.
Distribute Story Detective Badges on desks.
Lay out Movement Break Cards in activity zone.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Welcome detectives and have them swap badges with a partner.
Quick turn-and-talk: recall a time you guessed how someone felt without words.
Introduce “inference” on Slide 1 of Session 2 Slide Deck.

Step 2

Introduction to Inference

7 minutes

Play first 2 minutes of Feast—Inference Scenes.
Ask: “What do you notice that the characters don’t say out loud?”
Model filling one row of the Inference Chart Printout – Enlarged Font.

Step 3

Movement Break

3 minutes

Hand out Movement Break Cards.
Students perform the action to re-energize (stretch, jump, shake).
Regroup for the main activity.

Step 4

Inference Card Game

8 minutes

In pairs, students draw one Inference Card Game Card – Enlarged Font.
Read the brief scene description and infer character’s feeling/motivation.
Write inference on worksheet and cite evidence from the clip.
Share one inference with the class.

Step 5

Perspective Discussion

4 minutes

Return to Inference Chart Printout – Enlarged Font.
Ask: “Why do you think the main character chose that action?”
Fill chart with group responses and evidence.

Step 6

Quiz & Reflection

3 minutes

Distribute Session 2 Quiz: Inference & Perspective.
Students answer 3 inference questions.
Quickly review answers and celebrate new detective skills.

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Students will compare and contrast two characters’ perspectives from an animated short, citing emotions, motivations, and evidence to deepen comprehension.

Analyzing multiple viewpoints fosters critical thinking and empathy by showing how different characters’ experiences shape story understanding.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade Special Education Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Perspective comparison chart and collaborative sorting activity.

Materials

Session 3 Slide Deck, - Animated Short Film Clip: The Present – Part 2, - Perspective Comparison Chart – Enlarged Font, - Perspective Sorting Cards – Enlarged Font, - Story Detective Badges, - Movement Break Cards, and - Session 3 Quiz: Compare Perspectives

Prep

Prepare Materials & Tech

10 minutes

Print and enlarge Perspective Comparison Chart – Enlarged Font and Perspective Sorting Cards – Enlarged Font.
Queue Animated Short Film Clip: The Present – Part 2 and review Session 3 Slide Deck.
Distribute Story Detective Badges on desks.
Lay out Movement Break Cards in activity area.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Greet detectives and tap their badges.
Turn-and-talk: recall a time two people saw the same event differently.
Introduce multiple perspectives on Slide 1 of Session 3 Slide Deck.

Step 2

Explore Perspectives

7 minutes

Play The Present – Part 2 (~3 min).
Ask: “What did the boy see? What did the father see?”
Model filling one row each for both characters on the Perspective Comparison Chart – Enlarged Font.

Step 3

Movement Break

3 minutes

Hand out Movement Break Cards.
Students perform their action (e.g., stretch, spin, shake).
Return to seats and refocus.

Step 4

Perspective Sorting Activity

8 minutes

In small groups, distribute Perspective Sorting Cards – Enlarged Font.
Each card describes an event; groups sort cards under Character A or Character B based on whose viewpoint.
Use the Perspective Comparison Chart to record findings and evidence.

Step 5

Group Discussion

5 minutes

Bring class together and review chart entries.
Discuss: “How did each character’s feelings differ? Why?”
Highlight key differences and supporting evidence.

Step 6

Quiz & Reflection

2 minutes

Distribute Session 3 Quiz: Compare Perspectives.
Students answer two questions: one comparing feelings, one explaining evidence.
Quickly review answers and praise detective teamwork.

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Students will sequence multiple events from a complex animated short film and draw conclusions about characters’ choices using evidence.

Sequencing complex narratives and drawing conclusions deepen comprehension and inference skills, essential for critical thinking and reading success.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade Special Education Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Timeline mapping and conclusion discussion.

Materials

Session 4 Slide Deck, - Animated Short Film Clip: Piper, - Complex Sequencing Map – Enlarged Font, - Conclusion Chart Printout – Enlarged Font, - Sequence Mapping Cards – Enlarged Font, - Story Detective Badges, - Movement Break Cards, and - Session 4 Quiz: Sequencing & Conclusions

Prep

Prepare Materials & Tech

10 minutes

Print and enlarge Complex Sequencing Map – Enlarged Font and Conclusion Chart Printout – Enlarged Font.
Cut out Sequence Mapping Cards – Enlarged Font.
Queue Animated Short Film Clip: Piper and review Session 4 Slide Deck.
Place Story Detective Badges on desks.
Lay out Movement Break Cards in the activity area.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Welcome detectives and ask: “What’s your favorite scene where a character makes a big decision?”
Turn-and-talk and share responses.

Step 2

Introduction to Complex Sequencing

7 minutes

Play Animated Short Film Clip: Piper (~3 min).
Ask students to list major events they saw.
Introduce Complex Sequencing Map – Enlarged Font and model adding the first event.

Step 3

Movement Break

3 minutes

Hand out Movement Break Cards.
Perform actions to re-focus before mapping.

Step 4

Sequencing Map Activity

8 minutes

In pairs, students use Sequence Mapping Cards – Enlarged Font.
Sequence events on the Complex Sequencing Map and write brief descriptions.
Circulate to assist ordering and note evidence.

Step 5

Drawing Conclusions Discussion

5 minutes

Display Conclusion Chart Printout – Enlarged Font.
Ask: “Why did the main character choose that action?” Record conclusions and supporting evidence.

Step 6

Quiz & Reflection

2 minutes

Distribute Session 4 Quiz: Sequencing & Conclusions.
Complete two questions: one on sequencing, one on conclusion.
Share one insight with the group.

Lesson Plan

Session 5 Lesson Plan

Students will apply sequencing and perspective-taking skills to create and present an original storyboard based on an animated scenario, using evidence and peer feedback to refine their comprehension and storytelling.

This culminating session synthesizes sequencing and perspective skills into creative expression, reinforcing comprehension, communication, and confidence, while accommodating enlarged text and movement.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade Special Education Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Student-led storyboard project and peer critique.

Materials

Session 5 Slide Deck, - Storyboard Template – Enlarged Font, - Storyboard Card Prompts – Enlarged Font, - Peer Feedback Form – Enlarged Font, - Story Detective Badges, - Movement Break Cards, and - Session 5 Quiz: Storyboard Reflection

Prep

Gather & Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print and enlarge Storyboard Template – Enlarged Font and Peer Feedback Form – Enlarged Font.
Cut and shuffle Storyboard Card Prompts – Enlarged Font.
Queue Session 5 Slide Deck on classroom device.
Place Story Detective Badges on desks.
Lay out Movement Break Cards in activity area.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Welcome detectives and ask: “What’s a story moment you’d be proud to share?”
Turn-and-talk, using badge markers to signal speakers.
Show project overview on slide 1 of Session 5 Slide Deck.

Step 2

Storyboard Planning

7 minutes

Distribute Storyboard Card Prompts – Enlarged Font.
Each student selects a prompt and lists 4–5 key events in sequence.
Note main character’s perspective and motivation in bullet points.

Step 3

Movement Break

3 minutes

Hand out Movement Break Cards.
Students perform their action (e.g., stretch, shake).
Regroup and refocus for drawing.

Step 4

Drawing & Writing Storyboard

7 minutes

Give each student a Storyboard Template – Enlarged Font.
Draw scenes and write captions labeling First, Next, Last, and include one perspective sentence per storyboard panel.

Step 5

Peer Feedback

4 minutes

Pair up and swap storyboards.
Use Peer Feedback Form – Enlarged Font to record: two strengths, one suggestion.
Return storyboards to original creators.

Step 6

Presentations & Reflection

4 minutes

Invite two students to