Lesson Plan
Film & Math Integration
Engage 4th graders and their families in a shared cinematic experience that reinforces math concepts through film-based challenges and interactive reflection.
Combining a math-themed movie with collaborative problem solving fosters family engagement, deepens conceptual understanding, and builds classroom community.
Audience
4th Grade Students and Families
Time
75 minutes
Approach
Blend film viewing with hands-on math tasks.
Prep
Setup & Familiarization
15 minutes
- Reserve a screen and audio system for the film screening.
- Queue the selected math-themed film; test volume and video quality.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Scene Calculation Challenges Activity and the Movie Reflection Journal Cool-Down.
- Upload the Movie Math Moments Slide Deck to the classroom projector system.
- Prepare buzzer or answer cards for the Family Quiz Show Game.
Step 1
Family Orientation
10 minutes
- Welcome families to Math Movie Night and introduce the evening’s agenda.
- Distribute quick overview handouts outlining film duration and follow-up activities.
- Form mixed-family teams (one student family per group).
- Explain how each segment connects to real-world math skills.
Step 2
Movie Screening
45 minutes
- Play the selected math-themed film in its entirety or chosen clips.
- Encourage families to note moments where characters solve problems or use math strategies.
- Distribute sticky notes for jotting down time stamps and observations.
- Pause briefly at key scenes (optional) to highlight obvious math elements.
Step 3
Scene Calculation Challenges
10 minutes
- Hand out the Scene Calculation Challenges Activity.
- Ask each team to tackle 2–3 problems inspired by specific movie scenes.
- Rotate answer sheets every 5 minutes so families engage with different challenges.
- Circulate and support teams as they apply addition, multiplication, and measurement concepts.
Step 4
Family Quiz Show
5 minutes
- Launch the Family Quiz Show Game using projected questions drawn from the film.
- Call on teams to buzz in or raise answer cards.
- Award fun tokens for correct responses to celebrate quick thinking and teamwork.
Step 5
Movie Reflection Journal
5 minutes
- Distribute the Movie Reflection Journal Cool-Down.
- Prompt families to write or sketch their favorite math moment from the film and one real-life application.
- Invite volunteers to share reflections aloud to close the evening on a positive note.
Slide Deck
Math Movie Night
Engage in a math-themed film and collaborative challenges with your family and classmates!
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and the purpose of tonight’s event: to combine a fun movie experience with hands-on math learning alongside family members.
Tonight’s Agenda
- Family Orientation (10 min)
- Movie Screening (45 min)
- Scene Calculation Challenges (10 min)
- Family Quiz Show (5 min)
- Reflection Journal (5 min)
Briefly walk families through the flow and timing of each segment so they know what to expect.
Family Orientation
• Purpose: Build community & set expectations
• Form teams: Each student with their family members
• Handouts: Quick overview & sticky notes for observations
Explain how teams will form and how to use the orientation handouts and sticky notes during the movie.
Movie Screening
• Watch the selected math-themed film or curated clips
• Use sticky notes to mark interesting math moments
• Jot time stamps and observations for later discussion
Remind families to look out for math concepts as the film plays. Encourage noting time stamps and brief descriptions on sticky notes.
What math concepts did you see? How might you solve it another way?
Pause the film here. Guide families to discuss what they observed. Encourage them to identify the math strategy used.
Which operations or measurements did characters use? Can you think of an alternate approach?
Again, pause and highlight the math in this scene. Ask teams to compare methods.
Scene Calculation Challenges
• Each team tackles 2–3 problems inspired by movie scenes
• Rotate answer sheets every 5 minutes
• Apply addition, multiplication, and measurement concepts
Hand out the Scene Calculation Challenges sheets now. Explain rotation and that you’ll support as they work.
Family Quiz Show
• Rapid-fire questions drawn from the film
• Teams buzz in or raise cards to answer
• Earn tokens for correct responses and quick thinking
Switch to a game-show style. Get buzzer or answer cards ready and model a sample question.
Movie Reflection Journal
• Write or sketch your favorite math moment
• Describe one real-life application of that concept
• Volunteers share reflections aloud
Distribute journals and encourage creative reflection. Invite a few families to share at the end.
Thank You!
Thanks for joining Math Movie Night.
Thank families for their participation. Encourage them to continue spotting math in everyday life and future films.
Activity
Scene Calculation Challenges
Instructions: In your family teams, choose 2–3 of the problems below inspired by key movie scenes. Show your work and be prepared to explain your strategy when time is up.
Problem 1: Number Heist (Addition)
Scene Reference: During the bank-robbery planning montage, the characters tally up the amount they need.
The robbers need:
- $750 in $50 bills
- $630 in $10 bills
- $215 in $5 bills
How much money in total are they planning to take?
(Show your addition steps.)
Solution: 750 + 630 + 215 = 1,595 dollars
Problem 2: Snack Stand (Multiplication)
Scene Reference: At the school fair scene, the characters run a snack stand selling popcorn and lemonade.
Each bag of popcorn costs $3.25. They sell 48 bags.
Each cup of lemonade costs $2.40. They sell 35 cups.
(a) What is the total revenue from popcorn?
(b) What is the total revenue from lemonade?
(c) What is their combined total revenue?
(Show your multiplication and addition work.)
Solution:
(a) 3.25 × 48 = $156.00
(b) 2.40 × 35 = $84.00
(c) 156.00 + 84.00 = $240.00
Problem 3: Bridge Build (Measurement & Conversion)
Scene Reference: In the bridge-building challenge, characters measure wooden planks in inches and convert to centimeters.
One plank measures 48 inches in length.
Recall: 1 inch ≈ 2.54 centimeters.
(a) How many centimeters long is one plank?
(b) If they need 6 planks, what is the total length in centimeters?
(Show your conversion and multiplication steps.)
Solution:
(a) 48 in × 2.54 cm/in = 121.92 cm
(b) 121.92 cm × 6 = 731.52 cm
Problem 4: Treasure Map (Multi-Step)
Scene Reference: The team follows a treasure map with distances and turns.
- They start at the old oak tree and walk 120 meters east.
- Then they turn south and walk half that distance.
- Finally, they go west 30 meters and end up at the treasure.
(a) How many meters did they walk going south?
(b) What is the total distance walked?
(c) If they return straight to the oak tree from the treasure, what is the straight-line distance? (Hint: Use the Pythagorean theorem.)
(Show all your steps.)
Solution:
(a) South distance = ½ of 120 m = 60 m
(b) Total walked = 120 + 60 + 30 = 210 m
(c) Horizontal difference: 120 − 30 = 90 m; vertical difference: 60 m.
Straight-line = √(90² + 60²) = √(8,100 + 3,600) = √11,700 ≈ 108.17 m
Game
Family Quiz Show
Rules:
- Form two or more mixed family teams.
- A moderator reads each question aloud; teams buzz in or raise answer cards to respond.
- Teams have 10 seconds to answer after buzzing in.
- Each correct response earns one fun token. No penalty for incorrect answers.
- The team with the most tokens at the end wins!
Questions
Question 1: Number Heist Addition
In the bank-robbery planning montage, the robbers tally $750 + $630 + $215. What is their total haul?
Question 2: Popcorn Revenue
At the school fair, they sell 48 bags of popcorn at $3.25 each. How much money did they make from popcorn?
Question 3: Plank Conversion
In the bridge-building scene, one plank measures 48 inches. How many centimeters is that? (1 inch = 2.54 cm)
Question 4: Southward Journey
Following the treasure map, they walk 120 meters east, then half that distance south. How far south did they walk?
Question 5: Straight-Line Return (Bonus)
If they return directly to the oak tree from the treasure using the Pythagorean theorem, what is that distance?
(Hint: Horizontal difference = 90 m; vertical difference = 60 m.)
Cool Down
Movie Reflection Journal
1. Favorite Math Moment
What was your favorite math moment from the movie? Describe or sketch why it stood out to you.
2. Real-World Connection
How can you use this math concept in real life? Explain or give an example.
3. Family Chat (Optional)
Discuss together: How might you spot math in other movies or at home? Write one idea.