Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Writing a Screenplay Unit PlanWriting a Screenplay Unit Plan
Publisher
Curated OER
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 8th
Subjects
English Language Arts
5 more...
Resource Type
Unit Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Instructional Strategy
Writing
Unit Plan

Writing a Screenplay

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Writing a Screenplay unit plan also includes:
  • Rubric
  • Assessment
  • Answer Key
  • Join to access all included materials

It's time to make a movie! Kids follow 15 steps to take their movie ideas from concept to script, following clear examples. The resource includes creative ways to guide learners into developing a few words and concepts into fully developed screenplays.

340 Views 245 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

storytelling, script writing, the writing process, formatting, Narrative Writing, writing dialogue, film making, screenplays

Additional Tags

english language arts

Instructional Ideas

  • Have kids make their movies and present them in class, either in groups or at home with their own cameras
  • Break up the activity over a longer period of time, or use within a unit about the writing process
  • Bring in movies and have kids analyze the way they're put together and written

Classroom Considerations

  • Lessons are designed for gifted learners, but classes of all levels could enjoy writing their own movies

Pros

  • An excellent way to ease both skilled and reluctant readers into the screenwriting process
  • Fun and creative way for kids to learn about the filmmaking process
  • Includes an assessment with film terms, an answer key, and a rubric for the project

Cons

  • None

Common Core

W.6.5 W.6.6 W.7.5 W.7.6 W.8.5 W.8.6

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Teaching Students to Write a Narrative

Teach with Movies
Encourage narrative writing with a clever exercise. Class members watch episodes from movies and describe what happened to a character, including details about the setting, plot, and characters. Writers then craft a narrative about a...
6th - 12th English Language Arts
CCSS: Designed
Activity

Creative Writing Workshop

Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition
Looking for suggestions on how to organize a creating writing workshop? For topic suggestions appropriate for various grade levels? Check out a resource packet, designed for English language arts instructors, that is packed with ideas...
K - 12th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Write a Description

Curated OER
Finding the central idea is the focus of this lesson. Middle schoolers write descriptions of different animals using details and descriptive language. They watch a video of kids using descriptive language, and then use showing language...
6th - 9th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Movie Maker: Retelling a Story

Curated OER
Using Movie Maker, sixth graders make an eight frame movie based on a story they have written. They choose music clips, select pictures from PowerPoint, and make their movie. The instructional activity should take about ten days to...
3rd - 6th English Language Arts
Lesson Planet Article

Instill a Passion for Writing Short Stories

Curated OER
Quick writing tips and tricks to guide and polish learners' narrative writing.
3rd - 6th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Blogging to Create a Community of Writers #6: Writing a Review

Curated OER
Looking for a good social media lesson for your class? Then, this lesson is for you! They study various written reviews, then must choose an item to review of their choice. They can choose from: a book, restaurant, CD/musical...
6th English Language Arts
Lesson Planet Article

Let's Write a Collaborative Novel!

Curated OER
Find out what it would be like for your class to write and publish a complete novel.
5th - 6th English Language Arts
Lesson Planet Article

Review with Creative Writing

Curated OER
Connect a wide range of literature concepts where writers demonstrate mastery through creative writing.
4th - 12th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Write Right!

Curated OER
After watching part of a Club Write Kids video and discussing the editing process, each group of learners writes a letter to a favorite author. They ask for a copy of a page of manuscript that has gone through the editing process. Prior...
3rd - 6th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Further Improvements of Writing Skills

Curated OER
Improve writing skills by finding a personal writing style, using descriptive language effectively, and using precise language. Middle schoolers discuss individual style in writing and formal and informal language. They utilize figures...
7th - 9th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use