1. Stand Tall
Hero Essay

2. Homework: Due Friday 12/1/16
Keep this question in mind as you are completing tonight’s homework:
What can we learn about personal wars from old soldiers who have seen battle? (discuss this with someone in your family)
Homework: (See handout) Think about people you would like to write about that would qualify as your Hero. List your top 3 choices for your essay. Please come up with 2-3 reasons why these people are your heroes. Your reasons must be thoughtful and relevant. Nice and kind t not make a hero. If someone saved a dog’s life, fought in a war, or survived cancer, these people may be considered heroic. Think long and hard about your choices.
** A Hero could be someone you know, a historical figure, celebrity, a random stranger, teacher, coach…

3. Discussion: Friday: 12/2/16
You now have had time to think about various heroes that have affected you in some way. In groups of 2-3 discuss your heroes and the reasons behind your choices. Can you decide who you are going to write about on Monday? Maybe your peers can help you decide.
Your homework for this weekend is to decide who you are going to write about next week.

4. Monday 12/5/16--Introduction
Hook: Start with a quote, an anecdote or a powerful fact. Be sure to grab the reader’s attention!
Background: A brief description of your relationship to the person, or any details-such as their occupation, hobbies, interests that are relevant and connected.
Thesis Statement: Explains exactly what you’re writing about and provides a brief preview of your essay to the reader. Your statement must include 2-3 reasons why this person is your hero. These reasons will be the focus of your body paragraphs.
The city of Gotham is one of the most crime-ridden places in the country, not because of petty crimes, but because of true criminal masterminds. But one man has dedicated his life to ridding the streets of evildoers, making the city safe for its citizens—Batman. Batman is a hero to not just me, but to an entire city because of his timeliness in responding to danger, his unwavering sense of justice, and his awesome gadgets.

5. Tuesday 12/6/16
Do Now: Read the following quote from Stand Tall and respond to it in your journal:
“Life is something like a war. We’re all fighting a war whether we know it or not, a war for our minds and souls and what we believe in.” How does Tree struggle with his own personal war and find a friend to help him “Stand Tall?”

6. Body Paragraphs 1-3 Tuesday-12/6/16 and Wednesday 12/7/16
Topic Sentence: Let’s your reader know what the main idea of the paragraph is.
Support for the topic sentence: Your support should come in the form of one or more anecdotes (personal stories) These serve as examples to back up your point.
A good transition to the next paragraph: Avoid starting paragraphs with “First,” “Second,” “Next,” “Another reason I like this person,” or similar language. That makes your writing sound immature and clunky. Try using a transition at the end of your paragraph for a smooth flow into the following paragraph.
Batman may cut it close sometimes, but he manages to save most people just in time. When the Joker threw Batman’s love interest, Rachel off of a building, Batman jumped after her an protected her as they fell, which saved her life. Batman also saved Commissioner Gordon who was attacked by gangster Alberto Holliday while escorting Holliday’s rival, Sal Maroni, to jail. Of course Batman can’t possibly save everyone on time-he’s just one man. But because of his clear sense of justice, he tries to save as many people as possible.

7. Homework: Tuesday 12/6/16
Finish Drafting Body Paragraphs 1 and 2. Use the packet from class as your guide. Use Body Paragraph 1 from class as your model.
Body Paragraph 1-Reason One w/support (anecdote)
Body Paragraph 2-Reason two w/support(anecdote)
Body Paragraph 3-Reason three w/support(anecdote)

8. Conclusion Thursday 12/8/16
Brief Summary of what you wrote about: Give insight, your opinion, and closure to your essay. Do not restate your thesis statement. Use writing stems: I wonder, I predict, In my opinion,
A closing statement: This statement should give your hero essay a sense of closure. Think about why your hero is important and why you or other people want to emulate (imitate) or look up to this person.
Batman has saved countless lives-including Rachel, Commissioner Gordon, and many citizens of Gotham-and in many cases just in time. Because of his commitment to justice, he refuses to kill or harm anyone, including his nemeses, and commits acts of selflessness without pay or other incentives. In addition, to his incredible personal qualities, he also has amazing gadgets, like boomerangs, the Batmobile, and smoke bombs, to help him achieve justice on the streets of Gotham. Perhaps if more people were this moral and selfless (and had the right tools for the job), the whole world could stop evildoers in their tracks, just like Batman..

9. Homework: Thursday 12/8/16
Finish Conclusion Be prepared to type Hero Essay tomorrow during class
Entire rough draft of Hero essay should be completed by tomorrow, Friday 12/9/16