Inside Out
- Grades: 6 to 8
- Common Sense Media: read the review
- CS strength: 1 out of 5
- SEL strength: 5 out of 5
- Rotten Tomatoes: 98% critics
What happens
Riley is eleven when her family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco. Inside her head, five emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust) run headquarters. When Joy and Sadness get lost far from headquarters, Riley is left with only Anger, Fear and Disgust while she struggles with a new school and a new home. Joy has to cross Riley’s mind to get back, with help from Riley’s old imaginary friend, Bing Bong.
Why we watch it
This is the gentle first film in the Inside Out pair, and it fits students who are changing schools, friends or homes. It shows why sadness is useful and why pretending to be happy does not work. The worksheet is all reflection, with no computer science. One scene near the end is sad (Bing Bong), which is a good moment for the class to talk about.
Standards alignment
Answer key and teacher notes
- B Why does Riley's life change at the start of the movie?
- A What happens when Joy and Sadness are pulled out of headquarters with the core memories?
- B Who does Joy meet in Riley's long-term memory who offers to help her get back?
- B At the Memory Dump, what does Bing Bong do so that Joy can escape?
- B At the end, what does Joy learn about Sadness?
Questions 1 to 3 are plot comprehension. Question 4 and 5 ask students to read an emotional situation.
CASEL focus by question:
- Self-Awareness: noticing and naming feelings, and the pressure to hide them
- Social Awareness: empathy (Sadness and Bing Bong)
- Responsible Decision-Making: Riley’s choice to stop running away
- Relationship Skills: sharing a hard feeling with family
- Personal Connection: self-reflection
Content note: Rated PG. Bing Bong’s sacrifice is sad, and the family move is a common worry for students. Fine for grades 6 to 9.