Once the class learns about the hero's journey, they'll find it in every story and movie they see! Take characters from their humble beginnings to their atonement and apotheosis with a set of lessons about the hero's journey focusing...

What do Columbus, Aeneas, Scarlet O’Hara, and Frederick Douglass have in common? How can a hero in one age be a villain in another? Does heroism depend on the context of time and place? Are there traits that all heroes share? After a...

New ReviewWhat makes heroes and villains? A six-part unit plan asks young scholars to explore the concept of heroism and the characteristics they consider heroic and unheroic. Groups create character maps that focus on how characters are shaped by...

Academics turn into storytellers in an engaging activity on activism. The activity focuses on promoting social change in local communities with stories. Young historians plan a storybook to target a specific audience and social issue and...

Everyone has the power to change their own lives. Young historians learn how they can become agents for change in their own lives and the community. The lesson focuses on positive role models and what motivates individuals to promote...

Not all superheroes wear capes. An engaging lesson delves into the world of modern-day heroes and activists for change. Academics learn there are many different ways to be a hero as well as explore what makes a person a hero. The...

Narrators of a short video offer their rationale for why Catch 22 should be included in the Great American Read program. They touch on the key themes in Heller's satirical and sobering novel about Captain John Yossarian and the catch-22s...

Reverend Katrina Foster offers her rationale for why Winston Smith, the tragic hero of George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, is her favorite literary character.

Was there really a guy named Homer? Was the Odyssey written by one man or many? Are the stories original or a retelling of well-known myths? It may not contain all the information that viewers need to know about The Odyssey but this...

What would you want to see included in a 9/11/2001 memorial museum? Groups analyze artifacts, ephemera, and testimonies and then create a list of items they feel should be included in a 9/11 memorial museum.

As part of a study of the events of 9/11/2011, class members examine Tanya Hoggard's Dear Hero Collection and listen to the 9/11 Memorial website's Dear Hero podcast. Individuals then create their own tribute to an individual they feel...

During the aftermath of 9/11, a firehouse in New York received letters, cards, drawings, and tributes, all addressed to "Dear Hero." Middle schoolers study images of these tributes and discuss the qualities of a hero in a lesson focused...

Can someone wake up as an ordinary citizen and become a hero later in the day? Middle schoolers discuss the everyday heroes and heroines of 9/11, including their acts of bravery and sacrifice. Individuals then create a children's book to...

As part of the introduction to Edward Bloor's Tangerine, class members generate a KWHL chart listing what they know, what they want find out, how they plan to find this information, and what they have learned or still want to learn.

What is the difference between Hercules and Spiderman? Both are heroes, right? Kids identify the characteristics that make a hero, and analyze the differences between heroes of long ago and today. They write creative stories describing a...

How can we help endangered animals? Learn about which animals are endangered and what people can do to protect them with a lesson based on Carl Hiaasen's Hoot. After completing a KWHL chart to note what they already know and what they...

What does it take to be a hero? In small groups, middle schoolers design a hero by identifying heroic characteristics and recording responses on an online blog. Use this lesson as an extension in a literature unit about a heroic...

In this editorial analysis worksheet, high schoolers read an editorial titled "A Longing for Heroes," take notes on the article, define 2 words from the article, and write summaries of the article.

Students explore heroism by reading a book in class. In this story analysis lesson, student read a book called Heroes and discuss the concept of heroism and identify the characters and plot of the story. Students define vocabulary terms...

Students explore reading comprehension strategies. In this character development and reading comprehension lesson, students brainstorm common traits of "heroes." Students read Heroes, then identify the personal conflicts the story...

Students identify American heroes. In this research skills lesson, students discuss the characteristics of heroes and examine society's definition of heroes. Students research selected American heroes of the 20th century and create...

Learners read To Kill a Mockingbird and relate the action sof the characters to behaviors in students lives. In this heroism, bullying, kindness and compassion lesson, learners identify characters who are heroes in the story. Students...