Overview

How do heroes make a difference?

This unit’s essential question – How do heroes make a difference? – guides students to learn about culturally diverse heroes who have made a substantial difference in our world. The unit uses an imaginary superhero, Black Panther, as a bridge to real heroes: the Navajo code talkers and Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, military nurses during the Vietnam War, the first responders of 9/11, Cesar Chavez and Deloris Huerta, and Malala. Each student also chooses a hero from among those featured in the Heroes Critical Reading Series to explore independently. Students prepare brief presentations about their chosen heroes.