Lesson Plan - Heroes

What makes a hero?

As a class, discuss what makes a hero? Who is your hero and why? Then create a large class chart, as below. What heroes would fit into the two columns? Record their names and explain why you think they are heroes. Create a list of keywords highlighting their characteristics and achievements. Come up with a summary definition of a hero.

Antarctic heroes

What people were exploring Antarctica in the early 1900s? What were their heroic deeds? Why do you think they wanted to explore Antarctica? Some options include:

• for the glory
• for national prestige and to show the country’s bravery
• for scientific discovery (geological, meteorological, and/or biological)
• for resources and financial gain.

How might these heroes have been received when they got home? How are heroes of today (for example, sportspeople, actors, directors) received?

Heroic writing

Choose one or more of the following writing activities.

• Write a letter to a hero.
• Write a nomination for a hero to receive a major award.
• Interview a school or local hero.
• Write a biography, newspaper article, television script, or obituary about a hero. Your information could come from interviews or other types of research.
• Write a fictional story about a modern-day hero.