The Sandlot Movie Guide

A complete lesson plan with discussion questions, writing activities, and leadership worksheets

This resource helps teachers use a popular movie that captures the essence of friendship, adventure, and the love of baseball.

WARNING

This is a DEEP LEARNING lesson plan to help students employ a LEADERSHIP approach to SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Included in this leadership movie guide:

Time Stamps
Answer Key
Fillable PDF Version
Google Form Version

What educators are saying:

"I loved using this resource in my leadership class and this really helped the kids follow along with the movie and dig deeper into the movie."

- Helen J. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Fun activity and the kids really liked it."

- Jamie H. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Movie Guide Activities

Each of our leadership movie guides includes the following activities:

Reflection: allows students to journal about one of the movie's themes prior to watching.
Analysis: questions and prompts to analyze the movie's characters, plot, and climax.
Practice & Discussion: a partner/group activity that takes the principles of the movie and asks students to take action and grow in their own lives.
Extension: a RAFT (Role-Audience-Format-Topic) writing prompt to help students apply their new knowledge.
Lead for Impact: challenges students to pinpoint how the hero of the story exhibited The 12 Fundamentals of Impact and then synthesize how they can apply the lessons to writing their own story.

The activities in The Sandlot Movie Guide will challenge students to move closer to mastery in the following life skills:

leadership
cooperation with others
creativity
critical thinking
emotional intelligence
problem-solving
judgement and decision-making

1. The Sandlot Movie Guide PDF
2. The Sandlot Answer Key for Movie Guide
3. The Sandlot Fillable PDF Movie Guide
4. The Sandlot Google Form Movie Guide
5. The Sandlot Video Preview
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Social Emotional Learning Competencies

These leadership activities are designed to help students meet the following Social & Emotional Learning Competencies as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

Develop SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-MANAGEMENT skills to achieve school and life success.
Use SOCIAL-AWARENESS and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
Demonstrate DECISION-MAKING skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.

Movie Synopsis

The Sandlot revolves around Scotty Smalls, a new kid in town who struggles to fit in with the local kids. Eager to make friends, Scotty joins a group of neighborhood boys who play baseball at the local sandlot. Led by Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, the best player among them, the group spends their days playing baseball and getting into various misadventures.

However, their idyllic summer is threatened when Scotty hits his stepfather's prized baseball over the fence into the backyard of Mr. Mertle, a mysterious and reclusive neighbor rumored to be a legendary baseball player. The ball, signed by Babe Ruth, holds sentimental value for Scotty's stepfather, and he must find a way to retrieve it.

In their quest to retrieve the ball, the boys encounter numerous obstacles, including a ferocious dog known as "The Beast" guarding Mr. Mertle's property. Through teamwork, courage, and determination, they devise a plan to retrieve the ball, leading to a heartwarming and unforgettable climax.

As the summer draws to a close, Scotty not only gains acceptance among his peers but also learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of facing one's fears.

Movie Rating

PG
Movie Run Time

1 hour, 41 minutes
Grade Levels

6th-12th
Ideal Classes

Leadership, Character Education, Life Skills, Youth Groups, SportsTeams, Career Development, English Language Arts, Sociology

The Sandlot Movie Guide provides activities to help students become better leaders by focusing on the following themes:

Friendship:

At its core, the movie is about the bonds of friendship that form among a group of boys who play baseball together. They support each other through thick and thin, demonstrating loyalty and camaraderie as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.
Childhood Innocence:

The film captures the innocence and simplicity of childhood, portraying a time when the biggest concerns revolved around playing outside with friends and having fun. It nostalgically depicts a bygone era before the distractions of modern technology.
Acceptance and Belonging:

Scotty's journey as the new kid in town highlights themes of acceptance and belonging. Through his experiences with the sandlot team, he learns to overcome his insecurities and finds a place where he is valued and accepted for who he is.
Courage and Overcoming Fear:

The boys face various obstacles throughout the film, including their fear of "The Beast" guarding Mr. Mertle's property. Overcoming these fears requires courage and teamwork, teaching them important lessons about resilience and determination.
Family and Tradition:

The movie also explores themes of family and tradition, particularly through Scotty's relationship with his stepfather and the significance of the baseball signed by Babe Ruth. It emphasizes the importance of familial bonds and the passing down of traditions from one generation to the next.
Love of the Game:

Baseball represents more than just a sport. It symbolizes passion, perseverance, and the joy of play. The boys' love for the game brings them together and provides a backdrop for their adventures and friendships.