Exploring "Heroism"
In his lecture “On Heroes,” British philosopher Thomas Carlyle
states, “the history of the world is but the biography of great men.”
In honor of the heroes of September 11th, students will explore the concept
of “heroism” in this lesson, through personal reflection, group
activities and a thoughtful analysis of the documentary, HEROES OF GROUND
ZERO. Students will use different forms of writing, various artistic media
and computer software to explore their own understanding of what it means
to be a “hero.” Ultimately, students will demonstrate what they
have learned by creating a presentation on the theme of “heroism.”
Grade Level:
Grades 9-12
Time Allotment:
Nine to twelve class periods
Subject Matter:
Language Arts
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Use various forms of writing to express their thoughts.
- Analyze historical documents, literary texts and visual media to
explore the concept of heroism.
- Relate the messages of literature and film to their own experience.
- Learn to use visual images to express ideas.
- Create a multimedia presentation to convey their understanding of
heroism.
Standards:
National Standards:
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS: VIEWING, Level IV, Standard 1 http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7
&StandardID=9
Uses a range of strategies to interpret visual media (e.g., draws conclusions,
makes generalizations, synthesizes materials viewed, refers to images
or information in visual media to support point of view, deconstructs
media to determine the main idea).
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS: VIEWING, Level IV, Standard 9 http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7
&StandardID=9
Understands how literary forms can be represented in visual narratives
(e.g., allegory, parable, analogy, satire, narrative style, characterization,
irony).
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS: READING, Level IV, Standard 1 http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7
&StandardID=7
Uses reading skills and strategies to understand a variety of informational
texts (e.g., textbooks, biographical sketches, letters, diaries, directions,
procedures, magazines, essays, primary source historical documents, editorials,
news stories, periodicals, catalogs, job-related materials, schedules,
speeches, memoranda, public documents, maps).
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS: READING, Level IV, Standard 6
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7
&StandardID=6
Understands how themes are used across literary works and genres (e.g.,
universal themes in literature of different cultures, such as death and
rebirth, initiation, love and duty; major themes in American literature;
authors associated with major themes of specific eras).
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING, Level IV, Standard 7
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7
&StandardID=1
Writes expository compositions (e.g., synthesizes and organizes information
from first- and secondhand sources, including books, magazines, computer
data banks, and the community; uses a variety of techniques to develop
the main idea [names, describes, or differentiates parts; compares or
contrasts; examines the history of a subject; cites an anecdote to provide
an example; illustrates through a scenario; provides interesting facts
about the subject]; distinguishes relative importance of facts, data,
and ideas; uses appropriate technical terms and notations).
This lesson was prepared by: Bo Wu
