Coming Attractions: Pre-

Viewing Activity
“The Line”
Learning Objectives:
• Preview major ideas and themes of a film
• Reflect upon personal experiences
• Make connections to experiences of peers

Preparation:
– Prepare a list of questions ahead of time (suggestions
below). Adapt as you deem appropriate for your specific
group of students.
– Put ground rules on the board.
– Photocopy reflection sheet for students.
– Clear desks to create an open area in the middle of room
where students can stand. Create a line down the middle of
the room using masking tape, yarn, rope, etc.

Directions for Students:

• Stand on either side of the line.
• Listen carefully to each statement.
• If the statement applies to you, step on the line.
• Then, step back from the line and get ready for the next
statement.
• This is a silent activity. No talking.

©2016 Mary Kate Mikulskis, Secondary Cinema http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Secondary-Cinema

 Coming Attractions: Pre-
Viewing Activity
“The Line”

Questions:
Below are the questions from the film, followed by other possible
questions you may consider asking. Start off with less intimidating
questions to get the class feeling comfortable. Adapt for your
particular students’ age, maturity level, etc.

Questions from Freedom Writers

“Stand on the Line If You…”
– have the new Snoop Dogg album
– have seen Boyz in the Hood
– have lost a friend to gun violence.
– live in the projects.
– know someone who was or is in juvenile hall or jail.
– have been in juvenile hall or jail for any length of time.
– know where to get drugs right now.
– know someone in a gang.
– have lost a friend to gang violence.
– have lost more than one friend to gang
violence...three…four or more.

©2016 Mary Kate Mikulskis, Secondary Cinema http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Secondary-Cinema

 Coming Attractions: Pre-Viewing Activity

“The Line”
Additional Questions to Consider
“Stand on the Line If You…”
– have a song by __________ on your iPod.
– play a sport.
– play a musical instrument.
– are the oldest sibling/youngest sibling/only child.
– have seen/watched [insert title of popular movie or TV show].
– have moved…once…twice…three times…more than three times.
– have a parent or sibling in the military.
– you know someone who has been or is in prison.
– have parents who are divorced.
– are being raised by a single parent.
– are being raised by someone other than your mom or dad.
– have lost a parent or sibling.
– have ever been teased, made fun of, or bullied.
– have ever been teased, made fun of, or bullied, and you tried to play it off
like it didn’t bother you, but it did.
– have ever teased, made fun of, or bullied someone else.
– have ever teased, made fun of, or bullied someone else so people wouldn’t
make fun of you or think you were weak.
– have ever given in to peer pressure to do something you didn’t want to do.
– have ever peer pressured someone to do something they didn’t want to do.
– have ever been unhappy or self-conscious about your appearance.
– have witnessed violence or a serious crime firsthand.
– have been the victim of a crime.
– have been accused of a crime, whether or not you actually committed it.
– have been discriminated against.
– have felt disappointed in or let down by an adult in your life.
– have had someone break a promise they made you to.
– have broken a promise you made to someone else.
– have told a lie to protect someone else.
– have told a lie to protect yourself.

©2016 Mary Kate Mikulskis, Secondary Cinema http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Secondary-Cinema

Name: Class: Date:

Coming Attractions
“The Line” Activity
Student Reflection
Think about your experience participating in “The Line” activity today. Respond to the questions below using complete sentences.

1. What were you expecting from this activity before it began?

2. Before this activity, whom in this class did you think you had something in common with? Did you find that you had
something in common with this classmate during the activity? If so, what?

3. Before this activity, whom in this class did you think you did not have something in common with? Did you find that
you had something in common with this classmate during the activity? If so, what?

4. What surprised you most about this activity?

5. What is one realization you now have as a result of this activity?

©2016 Mary Kate Mikulskis, Secondary Cinema http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Secondary-Cinema

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