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Dealing with Tragedy in the Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore the concept of human tragedy. In this September 11 terrorist attacks lesson, students write condolence letters, discuss the qualities of heroes, and investigate volunteer opportunities.
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Everyday Heroes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars research heroes and create their own criteria of what constitutes a hero. They choose a personal hero and create a web page that portrays the individual and their accomplishments. Students create a presentation for the class.
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Super Seniors

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research senior citizens who were heroes during the Reconstruction Era. They interview senior citizens who they believe to be heroes and write a biography about them. They explain how small acts can contribute to the common good.
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American Folklore

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners develop an idea about American Folk heroes. Individual slideshows are going to be made by each student to be viewed by their peers. Students also have an opportunity to take part in role play situations from various folklores.
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Sports Personalities in Advertising

For Teachers 7th - 9th
During a series of four activities, class members examine and deconstruct advertising that features famous athletes. They determine target audiences, analyze ads, explore "emotional climate," and role play a meeting between a sports...
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Historical Heroes and Today's Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identity characteristics of a hero.  In this heroes lesson, students discuss what it means to be a hero and work in small groups to find characteristics of a hero and people they consider heroes.  Middle...
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Local Heroes

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify a hero in their community. They research a hero in their community. They compose an essay about their hero and present it to the class.
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Poems Insprire Visual Art

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine artwork by artist Ernst Herter. They discuss what the art means to them. They create a collage to represent a poem of their chosing. They discover how literature is used as an inspiration for art.
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Monster and Myths: Scripts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore characteristics of the myth genre.  In this myth instructional activity, students become familiar with various myths and the cultures they were derived from. Students compare in a graphic...
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I'll Trade You . . .

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students watch the video, New York Sports: Big Shots and Bad Guys. They research some of the players highlighted in the show for information about their athletic prowess, their importance in the city, and their reputations as Big Shots...
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What is Poetry?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders are introduced to the poetic process. They onnect poetry to life in a meaningful way become more careful readers of poetry. They listen to a variety of poems, then write responses at the end of each adventure.
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How Tragic!

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders read and study, in-depth, a specific classical tragedy, in this case, Oedipus. They explore strategies from making meaning out of or interpreting texts, as well as strategies for determining how authors create meaning in...
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A Tribute to Giovanni Palatucci and Righteous Heroes of the Holocaust

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners explore the life of Giovanni Palatucci and other "Righteous Among the Nations". They consider whether the motivation to be an ally is within the reach of every human being. They create a memorial to a hero in their lives.
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Courage comes in all sizes: King Day

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a cinquain poem in groups about philanthropy and heroes. In this heroes lesson plan, 3rd graders review characteristics of heroes and how they demonstrate justice, kindness, and contribute to the common good. Then...
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Who's Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk?

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students discover the characteristics that make a hero or heroine. They also look at how society recognizes its heroes and how the nation represents its values and beliefs by researching heroes from the past and present.
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Help Others

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars share the value of helping others through reading and art activities. In this Clifford and the Big Storm lesson plan, students read the story, discuss courage, and create a gallery of heroes.
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Poetry Portraits

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider the attributes of heroes. In this literature lesson, students read selected poems from Hesse's Out of the Dust and then create their own bio-poems that feature themselves as heroes.
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Role Models

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create posters of heroes and present their findings and what they think it means to be a hero. In this role models lesson plan, 3rd graders compare heroes and describe their characteristics.
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Oedipus Wrecks

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the concept of the 'tragic hero' and how such characters are relevant in theatre, literature, and history.
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Sharing is Giving-The Drive

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students identify acts of philanthropy. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students define the term "hero" and read the book Stone Soup. Students discuss soup kitchens and complete a Venn diagram analyzing the differences between...
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Introduction to the Monomyth, an Initiation Theme

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze the archetypal hero called the monomyth. In this archetypes lesson, students discuss the topic and view a chart of hero figures with related details. Students analyze the monomyth process diagram, read the story of the...
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Lessons of the Indian Epics: The Ramayana

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read a version of Ramayana and explore the elements of the epic hero cycle. In this Ramayana analysis lesson, students retell the basic narrative of the Ramayana and identify the main characters. Students identify elements of...
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Prometheus, the Firebringer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the world of Greek mythology by studying briefly each of the Gods. They explore the visual world of Greek mythology in ancient art and architecture and create original play-lets based on authentic myths through creative...
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Myth Connections

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders present tales and myths in the oral tradition. They discuss the African method of telling a story where each member of the group tells a part of the story. They make up a composite hero and write a story that describes...