Published on AASL Learning4Life Lesson Plan Database (http://aasl.jesandco.org)

Creating 21st Century Superheroes

Created by: 
Joan Upell
Title/Role: 
School Library Coordinator
Organization/School Name: 
South Dakota State Library
Location: 
South Dakota
Grade Level: 
11, 12
Type of Lesson: 
Lesson in a unit
Type of Schedule: 
Flexible
Collaboration Continuum: 
Moderate
Content Area: 
Language Arts
Content Topic: 
The Comic Book as Literature

Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

Skills Indicator(s): 
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations.
2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems.
3.1.5 Connect learning to community issues.
Dispositions Indicator(s): 
1.2.2 Demonstrate confidence and self-direction by making independent choices in the selection of resources and information.
3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others.
Responsibilities Indicator(s): 
1.3.1 Respect copyright/intellectual property rights of creators and producers.
2.3.2 Consider diverse and global perspectives in drawing conclusions.
Self-Assessment Strategies Indicator(s): 
3.4.2 Assess the quality and effectiveness of the learning product.
Scenario: 
In the development stage of a unit on the comic book as literature in English, the subject teacher meets with the school librarian to plan a final project. The characteristics of the superhero within his/her historical and cultural context will be examined throughout the unit. It is decided that working in groups of three students will create a superhero to solve a global issue of their choice. To begin the project each group must have a solid understanding of the issue they select. The librarian suggests this project could be used to review the subscription e-resources available to students. Following an introduction to the final project, the librarian will guide groups in their initial global issue research.
Overview: 
As a conclusion to a unit on the comic book as literature, students will work in small groups to research a current global issue and create a superhero who has the 21st century skills to solve it. Essential Questions: What are the characteristics of a superhero? Which global issue impacts my community?
Final Product: 
Student groups will each create a comic book splash page using original or computer generated artwork to introduce their superhero and his/her 21st century mission.
Library Lesson: 
Students will work in small groups to locate, evaluate and select online resources that best meet the needs of the assigned project.
Estimated Lesson Time: 
120 minutes

Assessment

Product: 
Librarian and teacher will develop a rubric for the final product with input from students.
Process: 
Librarian and teacher will monitor group progress as they search online resources during class time and through the bibliographic information added to the class wiki.
Student self-questioning: 
Groups will be given time before they begin independent practice to discuss: Why are we doing this research? What do we already know about this issue? Which online resource would be best to search first? Following the compilation of a draft bibliography groups will be given time to discuss: What did we learn about the issue? Do we have enough information to create a superhero who can solve this issue?

Instructional Plan

Resources students will use: 
Dataset (ie. lists, tables, databases)
Moving Image (i.e. animations, movies, tv program, video)
Text (books, letters, poems, newspapers, etc.)
Resources instructor will use: 
Projector
Laptop
Smart board
VCR/DVD player

Instruction/Activities

Direct instruction: 
The librarian and teacher will introduce the final project using the example of Captain America and WWII. (Krensky, Stephen. Comic Book Century: the History of American Comic Books. Minneapolis: Learner Books, 2008.) The librarian will review online subscription resources available to students (or provide a pathfinder of possible open web resources if subscriptions are not available) related to current global issues. For example, subscription resources may include SIRS Issues Researcher or EBSCO Points of View, etc.
Modeling and guided practice: 
Librarian and teacher will ask students to brainstorm possible issues. The librarian will select one issue to use as the search term example in the online resources review.
Independent practice: 
Working in groups students will explore online resources to narrow their topic choices. Once an issue is selected they will locate online resources, evaluate which sources best meet their needs, and select those they will include in a project bibliography.
Have you taught this lesson before: 
Yes
Strategies for differentiation: 
Online resources with text-to-speech capability; one-to-one conferencing with teacher and/or librarian; peer support in small groups

AASL/Common Core State Standards Crosswalk

English Language Arts: 

CC.11-12.W.7 » English Language Arts » Research to Build and Present Knowledge » 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. (11,12)

CC.11-12.L.6 » English Language Arts » Vocabulary Acquisition and Use » 6. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.I.7 » English Language Arts » Integration of Knowledge and Ideas » 7. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.8 » English Language Arts » Research to Build and Present Knowledge » 8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation. (11,12)

CC.11-12.SL.1.b » English Language Arts » Comprehension and Collaboration » b. Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed. (11,12)

CC11-12WH/SS/S/TS8 » Writing Standards » 8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation. (11,12)

CC11-12RH/SS9 » Reading Standards for History » 9. Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources. (11,12)

CC11-12WH/SS/S/TS1e » Writing Standards » e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.2.f » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic). (11,12)

CC11-12WH/SS/S/TS2e » Writing Standards » e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation provided (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic). (11,12)

CC.11-12.SL.1.c » English Language Arts » Comprehension and Collaboration » c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.2.e » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. (11,12)

CC11-12WH/SS/S/TS1b » Writing Standards » b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form that anticipates the audience's knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.2.b » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience's knowledge of the topic. (11,12)

CC11-12RS/TS9 » Reading Standards for Literacy in Sci Tech » 9. Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible. (11,12)

CC11-12RH/SS1 » Reading Standards for History » 1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole. (11,12)

CC11-12RH/SS2 » Reading Standards for History » 2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas. (11,12)

CC11-12RH/SS3 » Reading Standards for History » 3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.9 » English Language Arts » Research to Build and Present Knowledge » 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.1.e » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.1 » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » 1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.2 » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.L.1 » English Language Arts » Key Ideas and Details » 1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.I.2 » English Language Arts » Key Ideas and Details » 2. Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text. (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.I.4 » English Language Arts » Craft and Structure » 4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10). (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.I.5 » English Language Arts » Craft and Structure » 5. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging. (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.I.8 » English Language Arts » Integration of Knowledge and Ideas » 8. Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning (e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court majority opinions and dissents) and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy (e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses). (11,12)

CC.11-12.R.L.2 » English Language Arts » Key Ideas and Details » 2. Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.1.a » English Language Arts » Text Types and Purposes » a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. (11,12)

CC.11-12.W.9.b » English Language Arts » Research to Build and Present Knowledge » b. Apply grades 11-12 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning [e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court Case majority opinions and dissents] and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy [e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses]"). (11,12)

CC.11-12.SL.1 » English Language Arts » Comprehension and Collaboration » 1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (oneon- one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. (11,12)

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