Everybody
Needs a Hero
Grade level (s): 1-4
Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts, Developmental
Guidance
Learner Outcomes:
This unit will help students to understand that:
-
individuals do and should make a difference
-
role models help us to reflect on the qualities
and actions we want to exhibit
-
people's actions are influenced by time
and place
-
individuals are influenced by the groups
and institutions around them
-
our perception of people vary with time, information
and world view
Duration of Lesson:
(2) 40 minutes
Materials:
A copy of the book The Little Engine That Could
Chart paper
Hero Sandwich Patterns
Journal booklets
My
Heroes
Technology tools/courseware:
Encarta
Teacher Notes:
Prepare journal booklets for each child. Every day the children
will be given a prompt and will be asked to respond in their booklets.
Lesson Objectives:
1. The student will distinguish mythological and realistic heroes.
2. Identify common characteristics of heroes
Procedures:
1. Read the story The Little Engine That Could (primary
grades)
2. Brainstorm with the children a list of heroes/sheroes; categorize
the names as to historical,
scientists, sports, etc. Define the
meaning of "hero". Lead discussion around:
* What is a hero?
* Who constitutes being a hero?
* How can one be a hero?
* Why are heroes important?
3. Discuss with the children why we won't be considering Superman
and Batman and mythical characters as heroes/sheroes for this unit.
4. Brainstorm a list of common qualities that these individuals
possess.
5. Distribute patterns of "hero" sandwich parts (lettuce, bread,
meat, tomato, etc.) Have the
children write the qualities that heroes possess
and put together as a hero sandwich. Put up as a
visual reminder during the course of the unit.
6. Make a list of community heroes (doctors, fireman, etc.)
7. Have the students write in their journals about someone they
view as a hero.
Modifications:
Literature for intermediate grades - D. W. Flips
by Marc Brown
Enrichment Activities
1. Write acrostics, poems for the different categories of heroes.
2. On line word search Hooray for
Heroes
Evaluation/Assessment
West Virginia Instructional Goals
and Objectives:
Social Studies
History:
1.22, 2.23, 2.25
Civics
3.6, 2.9
Language Arts
Listening/Speaking:
1.7, 2.2, 3.3
Writing
1.70, 1.73, 1.74, 2.77, 2.78, 2.79, 3.43, 3.44,
3.45, 3.46, 4.51, 4.52, 4.53, 4.54, 4.55
National Standards
References
Internet Activities for Social Studies, Teacher Created Materials,
Inc.
The Best of Internet Activities, Teacher Created Materials,
Inc.
The Core Knowledge Sequence, Core Knowledge Foundation
Hooray for Heroes!, Dennis Deneberg and Lorraine Roscoe
Heroes, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
Created by:
Donna Peduto
Debbie Wilson
Cathie DeVito
East Dale School
