Fun Student Assignments

Recently, we heard from an English teacher at a middle school who was using the animated classic literature movies in an ingenious way to teach her kids.

First, she would have her class watch one of the Adam Smith Academy illustrated movies. And, like most teachers that have used the site, she would follow it up with a class discussion of the story and quiz them on important points.

She then took it a step further, and asked them to become movie critics and review the movie, illustrations and narration. She did this specifically in order to elicit opinions on the illustrated style and narrated story-telling.

Then, she would assign another reading assignment, and have the students storyboard it themselves. This is where it got interesting. According to her, every child became a director. They literally attacked the assignment, each student looking to out-do and one-up their classroom competition. They poured over the reading material, finding their own important points and created elaborate Hollywood movies out it.

To quote the email we received, "Not only did the students come to class eager to share their vision of what a movie based on the story should look like, but they got into very heated discussions as to what was relevant and what wasn't in critiquing other student's ideas. It was like the class had become their own production company, and every student his or her own Spielberg. It was amazing! At the end of class, students were asking what new story they would be doing. I couldn't believe it."

"Pigs Is Pigs" by Ellis Parker Butler

The classic comedy short story, "Pigs Is Pigs" by Ellis Parker Butler has now been narrated and illustrated at the Adam Smith Academy. You can view the movie here! It's a great story that every kid should read... and with the Adam Smith Academy they can now view it with streaming video.

The can also download and view the "Pigs Is Pigs" eText here.

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce is a classic literary short story that just about everyone in college must, and should, read in English 101. Now, you can watch a narrated and illustrated version in streaming video here.

You can also view the "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" eText here.

You can also view more animated classic short stories at the Adam Smith Academy website.

"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

This animated version of "The Tell-Tale Heart," by Edgar Allan Poe, was narrated by Steve Anderson and illustrated by Eraklis Petmezas. You can view it here.

You can also view "The Tell-Tale Heart" eText here.

You can also view more animated classic short stories at the Adam Smith Academy website.

"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov

"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov asks the question: Which is better to die by capital punishment or to live a life in solitary confinement?

WATCH THE ANIMATED MOVIE HERE!!!!

This particular short story has been adapted into several television shows and movies. You can also view "The Bet" eText at the Adam Smith Academy website.

View more animated classics at the Adam Smith Academy website.

"The Fox and The Crow" by Aesop

"The Fox and The Crow" is a classic Aesop fable, teaching children a valuable lesson regarding "flatterers".

WATCH THE ANIMATED MOVIE HERE!!!

You can view more animated classic short stories at the Adam Smith Academy website. You can also view "The Fox and The Crow" eText at the site.

"The Boarding House" by James Joyce

"The Boarding House" was a short story originally published in 1914 as a part of the literary classic, "Dubliners." It is considered one of James Joyce's favorite short stories.

VIEW THE ANIMATED MOVIE HERE!!!

See more animated classics at the Adam Smith Academy. Also you can view "The Boarding House" eText at the site.