What is the Difference Between a Hero and Celebrity Lesson Plan

Begin the discussion by asking students to name a celebrity "hero". Then ask them to tell what attributes these celebrities exhibit that make them heroes.Some students will insist that an athlete is a hero because he helps his team win games or that a pop star is a hero because she has many adoring fans. While it is true that there are celebrities who do give back to their communities in many ways, in general we are focusing on true heroes who will remain in peoples' minds long after they have left this earth. This train of thought requires students to dig deeper in order to truly grasp what a hero is. 

Next, discuss how popular celebrities are depicted in the media, and compare that to how heroes are depicted. This step may be done as a whole group or in small groups with a spokesperson sharing their recorded ideas with the class. Explain how consumers pay more for celebrity branded products because those celebrities must be paid by the company for the use of their names. For example, pose questions such as, "Might a woman believe she will be more beautiful if she uses Revlon makeup? After all, Halle Berry uses them and she is beautiful."  Ask students to find advertisements using celebrities. 

Touch upon the fact that celebrities are often like quickly moving fads compared with heroes whose names and actions stick with us much longer. Students brainstorm examples of heroes from history and their own lives.

Students read the essay How to Choose Your Hero by Charles Harper and discuss in small groups the questions posed in the essay. Then choose a spokesperson to share their ideas with the rest of the class before choosing their own hero.