'The Holdovers' Complete Unit – VCE English and EAL

A complete, editable VCE English and EAL teaching unit for Alexander Payne's film The Holdovers.

This 12-lesson sequence supports students to explore the film's characters, relationships, ideas, historical and social context, construction and film techniques before progressing towards sustained analytical writing.

The unit has been developed for VCE English and EAL Reading and Responding to Texts. Lessons provide explicit instruction, regular opportunities for students to respond, and carefully sequenced support for developing interpretations, selecting evidence and constructing an analytical response.

What Is Included

• 12 editable PowerPoint lesson slideshows
• 12 editable student worksheets
• Sample answers for every worksheet
• Student scene analysis chart
• Completed scene analysis chart with detailed sample responses
• VCAA-style analytical essay topics
• Start Here and licence guide

Across the Unit, Students Explore

• The film's central characters, motivations and relationships
• Connection, isolation and emotional vulnerability
• Grief, loss and the difficulties of moving forward
• Authority, rebellion and institutional expectations
• Purpose, meaning, hope and personal change
• Social class, privilege and historical context
• Film techniques and the construction of emotional meaning
• Stronger interpretations, contentions and analytical arguments
• The selection and explanation of textual evidence
• The planning and construction of an analytical response

Each Lesson Includes

• A learning intention and three success criteria
• A Do Now activity that draws on prior learning
• Clearly timed teaching and learning activities
• Frequent opportunities for students to discuss, interpret and write
• Carefully selected quotations, film moments and techniques
• A final reflection or consolidation activity

File Formats

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx)
• Microsoft Word (.docx)
• PDF Start Here and licence guide
• Supplied as one downloadable ZIP file

Important Information

• The film is not included. Teachers and schools must arrange lawful access to the prescribed text.
• This is a digital product. No physical item will be supplied.
• The four listening assessment tasks associated with The Holdovers are not included in this instant-download package. To protect assessment security, they are available separately to eligible schools through purchase order.
• Use and sharing are subject to the licence selected at purchase.

Choose the licence that matches how the unit will be used. The Individual Teacher Licence is for one teacher and their classes. The English/EAL Faculty Licence allows use by English/EAL teachers at one school campus.

Introductory pricing available until 30 September 2026.