My Hero Self
This unit will challenge students to explore the concept of heroism from various vantage points. Through a thorough study of fiction and nonfiction texts, students will analyze the hero’s journey narrative pattern. Next, students will discuss how an author’s treatment of heroism in literature encourages greater good. Finally, students will critique the heroic archetype in literature by studying the hero’s journey, and coming of age narrative patterns will conclude the year’s thematic study of human resilience as it recounts an individual’s tale of navigating challenges and eventual triumph.
At the conclusion of the unit, students will have gained the understanding that a hero, both real and fictitious, (a) does not have to fit a mold and (b) that a hero’s journey can inspire others. Students will also demonstrate their understanding of the hero’s journey by crafting their own hero’s journey story using media of their own selection. Synopsis District of Columbia Public Schools
