Integrate MY HERO with Special Education

Students choose stories to read from the online MY HERO Story Library, the Listen and Read Along Story Library or listen to stories from our Audio Story Library.

♦ After reading a story about a hero, students answer: Why is this person a hero?

♦ Students compare and contrast two stories from the MY HERO Story Collection. What are similar characteristics about hero qualities? How can heroic actions be different? Use a Venn Diagram and write a paragraph about similarities and differences.

♦ After reading a story, students make a connection to their life. How did the story make you feel? What would happen if more people acted this way? How does the story inspire you?

Stories with Text and Audio: Students can listen as they read along. This is a great resource for learners with reading-based challenges like dyslexia.

Read inspiring stories about Dyslexic Heroes.

Discuss and explore heroic qualities and character traits.

Use these ideas to write a story, poem, song or describe a photo or work of art. 

Students submit their own project about their personal hero to MY HERO for publication.

Students choose their own personal hero. Why does this hero mean something to me? How has the hero shaped my life in some way, or showed me some fundamental truth?

Students are encouraged to make a personal connection and write a paragraph or more about his or her hero to submit to MY HERO. Students can write a poem or song about their hero. Students are also able to create a piece of art such as a portrait, collage or poster in the medium of their choice to represent their hero.

Sign the MY HERO Guestbook.

Share people and organizations who are making a difference, no matter how large or how small.

Tell the world about your hero by writing a few sentences. 

Students show what they learn in different ways, just as students have a variety of learning styles. Allowing students to create a Hero Film allows students to experience success. 

Examples of films created by students:

Elementary School Student Films Link

Middle School Student Films Link

High School Student Films Link

Each of these films features an individual who identified an issue that was important to them and did something about it. Students identify an issue that is important to them and create an action plan to make a difference. Students are encouraged to share the story of their efforts with MY HERO.

Students create their own artwork using the medium of their choosing. This work can be done digitally to submit to MY HERO. Students can also create their art on a piece of paper or canvas, then take a picture to submit to MY HERO. Students are encouraged to write a few sentences about their hero.

Students can create original hero artwork and upload it to share in the MY HERO Gallery.

Studying MY HERO Portraits in the Classroom to Inspire New Student Art

This selection of artists' Hero portraits create an art lesson for middle and high schools students.

Use MY HERO's online calendar every day of the year.

Students can learn about diverse heroes from stories, art and films curated from our growing media library. 

Multimedia thematic lesson resources, which can be adapted to the needs of students, have been curated from our calendar to use throughout the year. 

Nurture creativity and self expression by encouraging students to participate in MY HERO's numerous contests. Students can work offline at home on projects creating poems, art, essays, songs and short films about a hero to share with our global community. 

Click on the banners for details and deadlines. 

Explore MY HERO Teachers Room: Resources for Distance Learning and Classrooms organized by subject and grade level. 

Educator Account: By registering as a teacher on MY HERO, you will be given special tools to organize your students’ work, as well as thematic content, on MY HERO. You can connect with teachers around the world taking part in the project by placing yourself on the community map.

Students Accounts: Students are invited to become reporters, sharing their hero stories, using our online tools. Students are able to add to their digital portfolios of inspiration year after year. 

Lesson Plans: Explore media resources, activities and thematic lesson plans to use in your school, home and community arts center throughout the year. 

Media Arts Educational Resources: Resources to help your students make inspiring short films.

Heroes in the News: Explore current events with an emphasis on heroism, selections from AP, Christian Science Monitor and MY HERO.

Library: A virtual collection of thousands of books about heroes whose stories have been featured on the MY HERO website.

Tutorials:  Tutorials help you and your students use MY HERO's online digital storytelling tools.

Downloadable Resources: Downloadable flyers help you use MY HERO's online digital storytelling tools.

If you are interested in mentoring or have questions about using MY HERO with your students, email: [email protected]