Teaching-Learning Strategies:
 you begin looking at literary heroes, determine your own definition of a hero. |
Task One: Write to Express
Answer the following question in your journal - What qualities must one possess in order to be considered a hero?
 If you need a hand getting started, think of someone you would call a hero and list his/her qualities before you write your paragraph.
 the story, pay close attention to the main character's actions and consider, is this person a hero based on your definition? |
Task Two: Listen to Make Connections
Listen to one of the following stories read by your teacher:
1. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" (Y.R. Ponsor, Britain - Literature and Language: English and World Literature)
2." Beowulf" (Anonymous, Britain - Literature and Language: English and World Literature)
3."Sunjata" (Anonymous, Africa - Literature and the Language Arts: World Literature)
Answer the following questions, about the story, to expand your idea of what a hero is:
1. Briefly summarize the selection by listing the challenges the main character faced and how he overcame those challenges.
2. What heroic qualities does the main character have?
3. What qualities does the main character have that are not heroic?
4. Do the other characters in the selection believe the main character is a hero? Why/why not?
5. These selections were written long ago; would the main character be considered a hero by today's standards? Why/why not?
 you have refined your definition of a hero and compared it to the literary character through the questions, take part in a mini-debate. With a partner, you will debate the main characters merits as a hero. |
Task Three: Discuss to Make Connections
 Mini-debate Format
1. Get into partners. One of you will argue that the main character should be considered a hero.
2. This person will have 1 minute to present her side.
3. The other partner will take a minute to argue that the main character cannot be considered a hero.
4. While your partner is arguing, your job is to write down points that you would like to bring up based on what your partner has mentioned.
5. Each of you will then have a second minute to re-discuss your position.
At the end of your debate, your teacher may have new questions about admirable qualities for you to consider as a class. |
