From Classic Stories to Silver Screens

Taught by

Lilli Witczak

Thursdays

12:00-1:00 pm

A reading, watching, and writing class for 7 grade & up

CLASS BEGINS:  September 10, 2026

 COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 10 through May 2 

This course explores the art of storytelling by comparing classic literature with their modern film adaptations. Students will engage in close reading, cinematic analysis, and writing to understand how stories evolve across different media.

 Of course there will be PLENTY of discussions. Students will keep a simple journal/log of “Book vs Movie”, which would include topics such as “If you were the director, what is the one scene from the book you would REFUSE to cut, and why?”  Additionally, the class will analyze adaptations by evaluating how filmmakers use visual and auditory elements (cinematography, score, casting) to interpret written text.

 During the course students will learn to construct outlines, take notes, summarize stories/movies, write film reviews, compose comparative essays, and more. As a part of the writing process, students will learn about grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Although this is not an Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) course, students will learn some of IEWs structure and style method.

 The following is a list of books and short stories for this class:

• The Wizard of Oz
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
• “The Veldt”
• The Giver
• Holes

COST: $275.00 per semester ($300 if a charter student) plus books.

Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Students are expected to bring the following to class on the first day.

•  -Writing paper
• -Writing tool such as a pen or pencil
• –The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum