"Teen Heroes: Journeying Through Modern Challenges!"

9th Grade Project 2 weeks

"Teen Heroes: Journeying Through Modern Challenges!"

Jill Dwyer

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Purpose

This project aims to connect the timeless narrative of the hero's journey with the real-world experiences of teenagers today. By exploring personal and community challenges through the lens of the hero's journey, students will develop a deeper understanding of their own growth and resilience. The project encourages students to actively engage with their community, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy as they identify and address local issues. Through creative expression and collaboration, students will showcase their journeys, celebrating both individual and collective achievements.

Learning goals

Students will analyze and interpret the stages of the hero's journey, applying these concepts to understand personal and community challenges. They will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by identifying and addressing a real-world issue, planning a 'hero's journey' to tackle it. Through collaboration and creative expression, students will enhance their communication skills, showcasing their learning and personal growth through visual timelines and a public art installation. Additionally, they will engage in reflective practices to deepen their understanding of personal development and community impact.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

Products

Students will create a visual timeline or storyboard of their personal journey, capturing key learning and emotional milestones. They will also contribute to a collaborative mural or art installation that represents the collective hero's journey of the class. Additionally, students will prepare a presentation for the community service organization, detailing their identified community challenge, the hero's journey they planned to address it, and the outcomes of their efforts. These products will be showcased during the 'Hero's Journey Gallery Walk' exhibition.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Modern Hero Scavenger Hunt' where students explore their school or local community to discover examples of modern-day heroes and their journeys. Provide clues related to the stages of the hero's journey, encouraging students to connect these stages with real-life experiences and challenges. This activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for deeper exploration of the hero's journey in their own lives and community.

Exhibition

Organize a 'Hero's Journey Gallery Walk' where students display their visual timelines or storyboards alongside a collaborative mural that represents their collective journeys. Invite community members, including representatives from the partnered community service organization, to engage with the students' stories and insights. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for students to share their personal growth and the impact of their community projects, fostering dialogue and reflection on the hero's journey in the context of modern-day challenges.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration - Introduce the project by posing the essential question, 'In what ways do the stages of the hero's journey reflect the personal growth and challenges experienced by teenagers in contemporary society?', and facilitate a class discussion to gather initial thoughts and set the stage for the project (15 min) Modern Hero Scavenger Hunt Launch - Organize a 'Modern Hero Scavenger Hunt' where students work in small groups to explore the school or local community, using provided clues to identify examples of modern-day heroes and relate them to the stages of the hero's journey (40 min)	Reflection and Sharing - Have students reflect on their findings from the scavenger hunt and share examples of modern-day heroes with the class, discussing how these individuals align with the hero's journey stages (20 min) Research Famous Figures - Guide students in researching famous figures who have embarked on significant journeys, such as Malala Yousafzai or Martin Luther King Jr., and compare their experiences with the hero's journey stages, making connections to personal and community challenges (35 min)	Community Challenge Identification - Collaborate with the partnered community service organization to identify a real-world challenge within the community that students can address through a planned hero's journey, encouraging students to brainstorm ideas and choose a focus area (30 min) Hero's Journey Planning - In groups, students begin planning their hero's journey to tackle the identified community challenge, outlining stages and potential actions to take, while considering how these parallel the classic hero's journey framework (25 min)	Storyboard Creation - Students start creating visual timelines or storyboards of their planned hero's journey, highlighting key stages and anticipated challenges and growth opportunities (30 min) Critique and Feedback Loop Introduction - Introduce the digital platform for storyboard submission, explaining how students will give and receive peer and teacher feedback to refine their journey plans, and begin the first round of submissions (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed scavenger hunt notes and photographs 2. Research notes comparing a famous figure's journey to the hero's journey stages 3. Group presentation outlining a community challenge and proposed hero's journey plan
Preparation	1. Prepare scavenger hunt clues related to the hero's journey 2. Gather examples of famous figures' journeys for research 3. Arrange access to research materials (e.g., library books, internet resources) 4. Organize materials for creating visual timelines or storyboards (e.g., paper, markers, digital tools)

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Community Challenge Presentation Prep - Students refine their presentation skills by organizing their findings and planned hero's journey to address the community challenge, ensuring clarity and coherence in their communication (20 min) Storyboard Creation - Students craft a detailed visual timeline of their personal journey throughout the project, highlighting key moments of learning and emotional development (35 min)	Collaborative Feedback Session - Students present their storyboards to peers and receive constructive feedback, allowing them to make revisions and strengthen their narrative (25 min) Mural Planning and Design - Students collaborate to conceptualize and design the class mural, integrating individual insights and themes from their hero's journey (30 min)	Mural Creation - Students work together to paint and assemble the collaborative mural, showcasing the collective journeys and insights of the class in preparation for the exhibition (55 min)	Hero's Journey Gallery Walk Setup - Students arrange their visual timelines and the mural for the exhibition, ensuring a coherent and engaging display for community members (25 min) Gallery Walk and Community Engagement - Students participate in the 'Hero's Journey Gallery Walk,' sharing their journeys and engaging in dialogues with community members to reflect on modern-day challenges and growth (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Final visual timeline or storyboard reflecting personal journey and key learning moments. 2. Completed presentation for the community service organization detailing the community challenge, hero's journey plan, and outcomes. 3. Collaborative mural or art installation representing the collective hero's journey of the class. 4. Successful participation in the 'Hero's Journey Gallery Walk' exhibition.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for finalizing visual timelines or storyboards (markers, poster boards, digital tools). 2. Prepare space for peer critique session, ensuring access to presentation tools (computer, projector). 3. Procure materials needed to complete the mural/art installation (paint, brushes, canvas). 4. Coordinate logistics for the 'Hero's Journey Gallery Walk' exhibition (location setup, invitations to community members, presentation equipment).