Lesson Plan
Title: Defining a Hero: Prometheus
Subject: English/Language Arts
Grade Level: 6
Overview:
Students will understand characteristics that make up a hero.
Approximate Duration: 2 fifty minute class periods
Content Standards:
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Standard 1
Students read, comprehend, and respond to a range of
materials, using a variety of strategies for different purposes.
Standard 2
Students write competently for a variety of purposes and
audiences.
Standard 6
Students read, analyze, and respond to literature as a record
of life experiences.
Standard 7
Students apply reasoning and problem solving skills to
reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually
representing.
Benchmarks:
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ELA-1-M4
interpreting texts with supportive explanations to generate
connections to real-life situations and other texts (e.g.,
business, technical, scientific);
ELA-1-M1
using knowledge of word meaning and developing basic
and technical vocabulary using various strategies (e.g., context
clues, affixes, etymology, dictionary);
ELA-2-M6
writing as a response to texts and life experiences (e.g.,
letters, journals, lists).
ELA-6-M1
identifying, comparing, and responding to United States
and world literature that represents the experiences and
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traditions of diverse ethnic groups;
ELA-6-M2
identifying, comparing, and responding to a variety of
classic and contemporary literature from many genres (e.g.,
folktales, legends, myths, biography, autobiography, poetry,
fiction, nonfiction, novels, drama);
ELA-6-M3
classifying various genres according to their unique
characteristics.
ELA-7-M4
distinguishing fact from opinion and probability, skimming
and scanning for facts, determining cause and effect, inductive
and deductive reasoning, generating inquiry, and making
connections with real-life situations across texts.
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
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Reading and Responding
Grade 6
Identify word meanings using a variety of strategies,
including:
(ELA-1-M1)
Explain the connections between ideas and information in
a variety of texts (e.g., journals, technical specifications,
advertisements) and real-life situations and other texts
(ELA-1-M4)
Compare and contrast cultural characteristics (e.g.,
customs, traditions, viewpoints) found in national, world,
and multicultural literature
(ELA-6-M1)
Compare and contrast elements (e.g., plot, setting,
characters, theme) in a variety of genres
(ELA-6-M2)
Use knowledge of the distinctive characteristics to
classify and interpret elements of various genres,
including:
(ELA-6-M3)
Analyze grade-appropriate print and nonprint texts using
various reasoning skills, including:
(ELA-7-M4)
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Writing
Write for various purposes, including:
(ELA-2-M6)
Educational Technology Standards:
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Understand and apply common troubleshooting techniques.
Demonstrate the operations of a computer (e.g., touchkeyboarding skills, save, organize and back-up files) and other
peripheral devices (scanner, digital and video cameras, VCR,
laser disc player) at an intermediate level.
Compose and edit a multi-page document with appropriate
formatting using word-processing skills. (e.g., menu, tool bars,
dialog boxes, spell check, thesaurus, page layout, headers and
footers, word count, margins, tabs, spacing, columns, page
orientation)
Use information, media, and technology in a responsible
manner which includes following the school's acceptable use
policy, adhering to copyright laws, respecting the rights of
others, and employing proper etiquette in all forms of
communication.
Use multimedia tools and desktop publishing to develop and
present computer-generated projects for directed and
independent learning activities.
Objectives:
The 6th Grade learner will
• Brainstorm definition of a contemporary hero or heroine
• Collect a variety of magazine and newspaper articles depicting real
people in acts of heroism
• Groups will design a hero poster in programs such as Paint
• Read the story of Prometheus recording notes in a program such as
Microsoft Word under the headings Action, Motivation &
Consequences.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
Magazines or newspapers with articles depicting real people in acts of
heroism
Story of Prometheus
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Computer
Printer
Palm
Software:
Paint
Microsoft Word
Websites:
•Old Greek Stories
www.authorama.com/old-greek-stories-5.html
•YouTube Hero Video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv13kMlylb0
Other:
* Monitor this project if you have State computers.
Background Information:
Students will have knowledge of the Paint program
Students will have prior knowledge of what makes up a hero
Lesson Procedures:
1. The teacher will begin with a youtube video. This video will give 4
characteristics that define a hero.
2. The teacher will have students group together to brainstorm the
definition of a contemporary hero or heroine, including the character
traits that are present in people who act in a truly heroic manner. Each
student group will give an analogy about heroes (e.g. “A hero is like a
champion, a supporter, Superman, an ally, a partner”) Students will
cite specific examples of events or people they have read about or
seen that exhibited these traits.
3. Students will collect a variety of magazine and newspaper articles
depicting real people in acts of heroism. Groups will suggest ideas for
a composite picture of a hero or heroine.This is substitued with the
youtube video.
4. Using programs such as paint, students will draw a composite hero
and add text with arrows pointing to specific parts of their composite
hero, (e.g. a large heart)
5. Under their poster, they will write a definition of a contemporary
hero or heroin, referring to their poster and any notes they have made.
6. Read the story of Prometheus recording notes in a program such as
Microsoft Word under the headings Action, Motivation &
Consequences. After discussion these in their groups, students will use
the charts to create a list of traits for Prometheus, e.g. selfless, risked
life for others, persevered, suffered for humankind, etc. Students will
share their lists and then do a quick write about whether Prometheus
was a hero or not and their reasoning.
Assessment Procedures:
6th grade teacher created project rubrics from sites such as
www.teachnology.com
Accommodations/Modifications:
----- written by Jillian Brown
Reproducible Materials:
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Paragraph about Hero Rubric
Drawing of a Hero Rubic
Explorations and Extensions:
Lesson Development Resources:
Comprehensive Curriculum
Unit 4
Activity 2
pg. 45
Reflections:
Contact Information:
Jillian Brown
jillianb@stignatiusschool.us
St. Ignatius
Additional Contacts:
MarcoPolo Lesson: No