Heroic Men and Women
Heroic Literature
Semester Course
Frameworks I
Prerequisite: Integrated Language Arts
In a Frameworks I course, we are expected to read a variety genres, complete at least three
"process" writings, three speaking/presentation opportunities, develop effective viewing and
listening skills.
Heroic Men and Women: Heroic Literature answers the question, “What is a hero?” Readings
are drawn from a variety of areas including fantasy, ancient legend, and contemporary culture. We
will work toward a deeper understanding of how the individual can have a powerful impact on our
world, and how the heroic acts of individuals can inspire all of us.
Unit 1: Defining Heroes
Essential questions:
What is a Hero? What does a Hero look like?
Major Texts:
Big Fish, Daniel Wallace
Star Wars (film)
"Everest: Extended Interview with Beck Weathers" (film)
Focus Skills: Drawing conclusions, understanding an argument, Joseph Campbell's Hero Journey and
Archetypes, identifying character traits, speech elements
Unit 2: Classic Heroes
Essential question:
How does a hero connect to a culture, time, or place?
Major Texts:
An Iliad by Alessandro Baricco
Lit Circle texts: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Beowulf, The Labors of Hercules, Gassire’s Lute, or Grendel from
World Mythology
Shane, Jack Schaefer
Focus Skills: Making connections, research skills including: evaluating print and nonprint sources,
correctly citing sources, composing a persuasive speech, speaking skills associated with debate,
formulating and supporting a thesis statement
Unit 3: Unlikely Hero and Real Life Hero
Essential questions:
How do individuals transition from the ordinary to extraordinary to become a hero? How does
society receive every-day-heroes? How do every-day people become heroes?
Major Texts:
Whole class texts:
Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
When I Was a Soldier, Valerie Zenatti
Literature Circle:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley
Focus Skills: research skills including works cited, annotated bibliography, note-taking, paraphrasing,
in-text citation skills, small group discussion skills, developing personal connections and text-toworld connections
Unit 4: The Anti-Hero
Essential questions:
What are the expectations for a hero? What happens if a hero goes against expectations society sets
for them?
Major Texts:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Hero (Film)
Focus Skills: persuasive rhetorical techniques, close reading of a literary text, structure of an argument
essay
Unit 5: Superhero
Essential Questions:
How does the concept of heroes and villains shape our world?
How does an individual's perspective of a hero reflect their own personal values?
Major Texts:
Unbreakable (film)
Spiderman: Power and Responsibility (Graphic Novel)
Focus Skills: speaking and writing for a specific audience, character analysis and development,
effective diction, visual analysis of film and art, text-to-text and text-to-world connections
Standards and Benchmarks Addressed in this Course:
1. Students will use various skills and strategies to read and comprehend a variety of genres
1.2 Apply structural analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend text
1.3 Apply comprehension strategies to non-fiction text
2. Students will read for a variety of purposes across a variety of genres
2.1 Independently read a variety of materials
2.2 Utilize texts for a variety of purposes
4. Students will write to create meaning and communicate ideas.
4.1 Write for a variety of purposes in multiple genres
4.2 Write on demand
5. Students will speak effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences
5.3 Respond appropriately to others’ message
6. Students will listen effectively for a variety of purposes
6.1 Listen for information and understanding
6.3 Demonstrate listening behaviors
7. Students will demonstrate visual literacy.
7.2 Analyze effects on society and culture
7.3 Evaluate informational media