What Makes a Hero?

1. What Makes a Hero? Student Page [Teacher Page] A WebQuest for 12th Grade English Title Introduction Mrs. Gerstorff and Ms. Norris Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2. Incoming Message: URGENT! Student Page [Teacher Page] What makes a hero? This is the question you have been tasked with answering. Wauchula, our fine home, has been threatened by a band of evil arch-villains. While the men and women of our brave police force have managed to defeat the villains so far, rumor has it that they are joining forces to plunge Wauchula into utter chaos. This cannot happen! Other great cities have their heroes. The citizens of Wauchula demand no less. “Without a hero, what will become of us?” they ask. Who will rise to fight against the chaos? Your team must find that person. Remember: What defines a hero? Answer this question, and you will be one step closer to discovering who that hero is. Good luck and God speed. Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion ? Gilgamesh Luke Skywalker Achilles fighting Hector Credits

3. The Task Student Page [Teacher Page] So…this is WebMind at WebNet. You can call me WW for short. Might I suggest a possible course of action? Yes? Good. According to my data there are 3 of you. Good. A team of 3 is perfect for this project. Link here to see why, but don’t forget to return here – I’ve got more ideas! The Hero’s Journey – This is an outline to get you started. The Hero's Journey Part II – This will give you all the details you need. So…there are 3 of you and 3 stages of the hero’s journey. Since I’m here to assist you, might I suggest that each of you research 1 stage, then together you can present a proposal to the council that identifies the experiences that traditionally define the hero. This will give them some ideas of what to look for in the hero candidates. The Wauchula City Council will meet with you in 1 week. To prepare for this meeting, your team will need to produce a PowerPoint presentation, a timeline ,and a Word document to distribute to the council members. The PowerPoint presentation should chronicle the hero’s journey. The timeline… And the Word document should be a synopsis of the hero’s journey and include your team’s definition of what a hero is. I don’t need to point out that Wauchula is your city too. Are you ready? Good. Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits Herakles (Hercules) fighting the Amazons.

4. The Process Student Page [Teacher Page] So, we’ve already seen that a hero’s life, or journey, has three distinct stages. Have you decided among yourselves which of you is going to research which stage? Well, that’s the first thing you’ll need to do. Then: Step 1: Each of you will research the stage you have chosen. Here are some links to help you with your research: The Hero’s Journey – A Summary of Steps The Hero’s Journey: Life’s Great Adventure The Hero’s Journey in Star Wars Step 2: Once you’ve collected your research, your team will create a PowerPoint presentation to present your research to the Council. You should outline the Hero’s Journey. Make sure you use at least three examples for each stage (they should be historical heroes, epic heroes, and modern heroes). For an interesting look at modern heroes in comics, movies, and literature check out this link: Myth and the Hero’s Journey: Big Screen and Blockbusters For examples of some of the great heroes of epic literature, check out this link: Wikipedia – Heroes of Epic For an analysis of Odysseus as hero: Odysseus’ Hero’s Journey Step 3: You will also need to create a timeline in Excel or Word that charts the heroic examples you have used in your PowerPoint. Step 4: Finally, you will also need to create a handout for the council members in Word or Publisher. This should include a short reflection for each team member answering the question, “What makes a hero?” Reflect on your research. The handout should also offer a simple definition of a hero. Step 5: You will present your research to the Council. Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits

5. Evaluation Rubric: Student Page [Teacher Page] Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits

6. Conclusion Student Page [Teacher Page] Now that you have researched what it means to be a hero, the Wauchula City Council can find a group of heroes to defend our city alongside each of us. The villains’ plan to destroy Wauchula has been thwarted! On behalf of Wauchula I, WW, thank you for your work. We couldn’t have done it without you. Hey, I was thinking…what if your journey is similar to a hero’s journey? Does that make you a hero? Hmm…Well, I’m just an artificial intelligence, so what do I know. Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Image courtesy of The Government Manual for New Superheroes written by Mathew D. Brozik and Jacob S. Weinstein; published by Andrews McMeel. Credits

7. Credits & References Student Page [Teacher Page] I adapted the rubric from Stephanie Bourden’s Chaucer WebQuest: Chaucer: The Wife of Bath WebQuest This WebQuest is based on a template and training materials from: The WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group Image of Gilgamesh: http://www.btinternet.com/~glynhughes/squashed/gilgamesh.htm Image of Herakles fighting the Amazons: http://www.sikyon.com/Thebes/Labors/labor_eg09.html Image of Achilles fighting Hector: http://academic.shu.edu/honors/achilles_hektor2.jpg Image of Superman: http://fixedreference.org/en/20040424/wikipedia/Superman Image of Luke Skywalker: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mudjs1/heropsych.htm Image of Superhero from The Government Manual for New Superheroes: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/press_releases/pr_superheros.html Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits