Through two interactive lesson plans, students deepen their exploration of themes presented in the film Considering Matthew Shepard. In Lesson One, "The Power of the Single Story," students close-read a variety of media to determine how strong storytelling uses specific, personal details to reveal larger universal truths. In Lesson Two, "Continuing the Story Through Creative Expression," students are invited to exercise their own power of imagination by using the Considering Matthew Shepard lyric book to create their own artwork in connection with his powerful story. Students practice creating through mediums of writing, movement, and visual expression.

This guide can be used by middle, high school, and college educators to enhance and complement existing curricula and classroom study and/or to support students in developing youth-led discussions and programing. The lesson plans can be used to support and deepen content areas such as U.S. History, Sociology, Psychology, and English Language Arts. Educators and leaders might also use this guide as a resource in school-based clubs and organizations, after-school and youth development programs, and after screenings of the film Considering Matthew Shepard.