Use websites to read stories about heroes. The "My Hero" website provides skills and reading materials to help your class analyze sequence and story parts. They put the events in order to show the correct sequence of events.

Take your class to the theater! First graders will examine characters that actors play such a villians and heroes. Then participate in creating plays and performing in them. They will also research what it takes to create scenery, props...

Here is a nice way to allow your pupils to recognize important people in their lives. After a class discussion that focuses on the many unrecognized everyday heroes, kids make a list of their everyday heroes. Learners create an award for...

Sure, your young artists probably know Van Gogh and Picasso, but are they equally as familiar with Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol? Small groups examine the work of famous artists. Then, they create their own hero portraits in Cubist style...

What does it mean to be a hero? Who qualifies as a hero? In groups, middle and high schoolers brainstorm a list of heroes and create a list of characteristics that a person must possess in order to be a hero. Extend this activity by...

Pupils define hero and identify supporting evidence in a text. They complete a hero diagram worksheet and watch a video about a little boy from China who acts as a hero. Additionally, they complete the Ping Hero evidence worksheet...

Eighth graders investigate art appreciation and Renaissance portraits through time. They create a portrait.

Students listen to children's fairy tales and watch them on a video. Afterward, they list the heroes from each story. Students write a short paragraph about a typical day for the hero. Students dress up like their character and give a...

Young writers choose a person from American history, their community, or their family to use as the subject of a persuasive essay. The process begins with a discussion of the characteristics of a hero, the completion of a prewriting web,...

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...

Give your class an overview of American tall tales and some examples with these slides. The basic definition of folk stories, legends, and tall tales is explained, followed by famous characters from American lore. Reading suggestions are...

Review the elements of tall tales with your class. Take a look at their genesis and purpose. Different types of figurative language found in tall tales are included such as hyperbole, simile, and metaphor. Before reading an American tall...

Here is a language arts lesson that can be used with virtually any grade level. The only thing that changes is the reading level of the books. Learners compare and contrast different heroes and the characteristics they hold. They use a...

Students think about the characteristics of a hero so they can later evaluate which historical figures on the heroes chart meet the criteria.

Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.

What is a hero? Used as both an introduction and conclusion to the play Into the Line of Duty (author not provided), this presentation details the definitions of a hero before posing discussion questions. Students discuss their...

Young scholars create a photo-biography of someone they consider a real life hero.  In this character sketch lesson plan, students define a hero and identify heroic characteristics in short stories.  Young scholars use...

Young scholars read the story of Paul Bunyan and identify the characteristics and actions that make him a hero. In this heroes lesson plan, students explain their answer and draw pictures.

Young scholars explore reading comprehension strategies. In this character development and reading comprehension instructional activity, students brainstorm common traits of "heroes." Young scholars read Heroes, then identify the...

First graders examine characteristics that good citizens need. In this civic virtues lesson plan, 1st graders discuss people they know who are heroes or good citizens. Students name three qualities they believe heroes need. Students...

Middle schoolers create a classroom mural that features heroes. In this Milton Hershey lesson, students discuss the qualities Hershey had that made him a hero. Middle schoolers then identify other heroes and design a classroom mural of...

Young scholars create a HyperStudio slide show. In this technology instructional activity, students take the report on a hero that they had previously written. They use HyperStudio to create a multimedia slide show to present to their...

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 explore the concept of racism.  In this character building lesson, students read a biography about a hero Matthew Henson.  Learners discover the challenges he, and others, faced during a time of unfairness.