Barbie (Teacher Pack)

This comprehensive unit equips educators of middle to upper secondary school students with all that's needed to deliver high-quality learning experiences. Students will learn through a range of individual, pair, group and whole-class speaking, viewing, and writing modes, culminating in a range of assignment/extension possibilities.

This teaching unit is based upon the 2023 feature film, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. The film imagines the iconic Barbie doll experiencing an existential crisis leading to an adventure into the real world on a journey of self-discovery. Through a blend of satire and sincerity, the film works to acknowledge Barbie's unrealistic body type and the impact this has had on children over time, while celebrating her role as a feminist icon. Ideas about toxic masculinity and the importance of feeling empowered to find one's own identity and purpose are key to the film's impact upon audiences.

This comprehensive Teacher Pack – Barbie equips educators of middle to upper secondary students with a range of tools to deliver high-quality learning experiences, including a range of seven analytical assessment options (adaptable for differentiated learning).

Contents (digital/editable/printable files ready for immediate download and use):

1. Teacher Guide (35-page PDF)

• Unit overview
• Inquiry Questions
• Suggested Lesson Outline
• Teacher Answer Guide to Student Booklet
• Assessment – Analytical Essay (choice of seven options)

2. Student Booklet (33-page PDF and DOCX)

• Pre-viewing activities
• Viewing activities
• Post-viewing activities
• Assessment – Analytical Essay (choice of seven options) – including templates and assessment resources

3. Teaching Presentation (29-slide PPTX and KEY [for macOS users])

• Discussion starters
• Barbie Quiz and Fun Facts
• What is narrative film? (archetypal narratives, representations in film, narrative film conventions and active film-viewing strategies)
• Who is Greta Gerwig?
• Barbies by the Era – historical, social and cultural influences
• Post-viewing resources – discussion starter, character analysis, key scene analysis, critic response to the film
• Assessment resources – 'to analyse', analytical essay structure guide, the writing process

Unit duration: 15-20 lessons

Curriculum Links:

The Teacher Pack can be directly linked to the following areas within the Australian Curriculum:

• English
• The Arts (Media Arts)

In addition, the Teacher Pack relates directly to the following General Capabilities within the Australian Curriculum:

• Critical and Creative Thinking
• Personal and Social Capability
• Ethical Understanding
• Literacy

Please note: Access to view the film is not included in the resource pack. The film runs for 1 hour and 56 mins and has an official rating as PG. Please check your country's classification for this film prior to use with students.