Effigy Press
Study Guides
Welcome to the Effigy Press Alchemy Teacher Study Guides!
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Designed to bring creativity, creative thinking, and engaging discussions into the classroom, these guides are intended to help students explore the themes, concepts, and storytelling techniques discussed in each Alchemy episode, Fostering a deeper appreciation of characters, plot development and creative risk-taking.
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Whether you're teaching language arts, creative writing, or just looking for a fun and thought-provoking resource, these study guides offer a mix of discussion questions, writing prompts, and class activities that will inspire your students to think outside the box (whatever that box is, seriously). Each guide is flexible, adaptable, and rooted in the idea that creativity thrives in reality, chaos and unexpected detours.
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We hope these resources will spark curiosity and open up new pathways for your students to explore the wild world of storytelling—and maybe even their own life along the way.
Teacher Study Guide: O Holy Night
In this episode, the Alchemy podcasters dive into the rich history behind the beloved Christmas song O Holy Night. What seems like a simple holiday “jingle” actually has a surprising and remarkable origin story, stretching back to France in the mid-19th century. This episode explores how it came to be, the surprising influence it had, and how it can inspire writers to find the “thrill of hope” even in the most unexpected places. We also look at how familiar things—whether a song, a tradition, or a story—can have an intriguing and often overlooked history that makes them even more meaningful, and can inspire deeper backstories for creative writers.
Study guide pdf here.
Podcast at these locations:
