Creating a MY HERO Web Page

by Marc Stern, SJH

Grade Level 5-8, 9-12+
Subject English/Language Arts

Overview

Students will have the opportunity to transfer their summer reading (T.A. Barron’s A Hero’s Trail) into a personally created Web page to be published and shared with others around the world. As this Web page will fulfill their technology requirement for the first quarter, they will continually modify and enhance their project throughout the quarter.

Procedure

Objectives

Set-Up
1. Go to the MYHERO.com homepage.

2. On the left navbar, click on the Create link.

3. Read each of the bulleted points, follow the instructions, and watch Slater’s Create tutorial video, "How to Create a MY HERO Story."

4. When you are finished, click “For new users, register here."

5. (a) Fill in the required fields using the school email address as the email address.

(b) Choose a “username” and “password" and type them in the appropriate fields.

6. At this point, you are ready to begin working on your project. You should decide if you would like to continue working with the hero you chose for your summer reading document, or if you would like to choose another example of a hero with whom you have more of an interest.

Note: If you do not have sufficient background information, you may find difficulty using the hero you chose for your summer reading.

7. For the “Hero Section,” use the type of hero (“hero on the spot," “survivor hero,” “hero within” or “hero to others near and far”) identified in The Hero’s Trail by T.A. Barron. Put your response in the “Other” section.

MY HERO Website Writing Requirements: Before you begin working on your writing, preview at least five other examples. Pay special attention to how the writer uses an introduction and conclusion in their writing. Click on “Directory” for examples of hero stories.

Do all of your writing in Microsoft Word and then copy and paste it into the Create template.

Activities/Procedure

1. Watch the MY HERO Flash Introduction.

2. Write a 5 paragraph essay.

Paragraph One
This paragraph should be a short introduction to your writing. Look at the following introductions in these examples:

Christopher Reeve

Rosa Parks

Judy Blume

Paloma Herrera

Note: You may want to begin your writing by reflecting on some of the heroic qualities (courage, faith, perseverance, hope, humor, adaptability, and/or moral direction) shown by your hero.

Paragraphs Two and Three
In these paragraphs, you will be discussing your hero in detail. Summarize your hero’s story giving specific details:

Who is your hero?

Where does your hero live?

When did your hero live (if applicable)?

How did this hero make a difference?

Give any other information you feel necessary to give the reader enough information to understand who this person is and what exactly this person did to be considered a hero. Be sure not to plagiarize. Summarize in your own words.

Paragraph Four
This is where you will relate your hero to T.A. Barron’s book, A Hero’s Trail. Discuss the following: the type of hero (“hero on the spot,” “survivor hero,” “hero within” or “hero to others near and far”) and how your hero fits this definition with specific examples.

Paragraph Five
In this paragraph you will wrap things up. Oftentimes, good writers will refer back to their introduction when creating a conclusion. This way, their writing comes full circle. Take a look at some good examples in the “Directory” if you are having trouble.

3. Add finishing touches:

(a) Add at least one image related to your hero.

(b) Add your credits.

(c) Add at least one link related to your hero.

(d) Add your bibliography.

Assessment

Teacher Notes: This lesson ties in with T.A. Barron’s A Hero’s Trail, which is appropriate for students at the middle and junior high levels.

Students were given approximately one week of class time to work on their Web page. The final Web page was due at the end of the quarter.

Standards

ISTE NETS Standards - Students

Communication and Collaboration: Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

Digital Citizenship: Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

National Arts Standards, 5-8

Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and culture: Describe and place a variety of art objects in historical and cultural context.

ISTE NETS Standards - Teachers

Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility: Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

National Arts Standards, 9-12

Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas: Describe the origins of specific images and ideas and explain why they are of value in their artwork and in the work of other.

Common Core English - Speaking and Listening K-5

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: 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 English - Language 6-12

Conventions of Standard english: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Knowledge of Language: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

Common Core Media: K-5

Reading Literature 7. Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).

Common Core Media: 6-12

Speaking and Listening, 2, Grade 8: Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

Reading Science and Technology, 7, Grade 11-12: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Common Core English - Speaking and Listening 6-12

Comprehension and Collaboration 2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.