1. Narrative Reading
Session 1: Hero Defined

2. Session 1: Hero Defined
"What the myths say, is that you have to be the hero of your own life. You're the one who has to take charge of who you are, you're the one who has to take control. And also, you're the one who can bring something to the community." —Jeanette Winterson What themes and narrative structures are universal?

3. Session 1: Hero Defined Teaching Points
Readers of world literature use their knowledge of the universal theme and its narrative structure to engage with and analyze texts.
Readers develop and/or use prior knowledge about a genre (narrative—short fiction and long fiction) to develop critical reading habits.

4. Session 1: Hero Defined Active Engagement
Read and annotate Joseph Campbell’s article on the hero’s journey.
Can you think of a movie you have seen recently that used this journey?

5. What makes a hero? Watch this! Still confused? Try this!
Session 1: Hero Defined
What makes a hero? Watch this! Still confused? Try this!

6. Session 1: Hero Defined
Pre-Unit Assessment After viewing an iconic American text (short video or short fiction) that portrays an American Hero, write several paragraphs to define the classic American Hero and identify the universal questions explored during the hero’s journey. Support your definition with specific examples from the text. Universal Questions about Heroes Who am I? Where did I come from? Where will I go when I die? What is good and what is evil? What must I do about it? What will tomorrow be like? Where did yesterday go? Is there anybody else out there?”

7. You are to Complete/Submit
Session 1: Hero Defined
You are to Complete/Submit
Annotated Text on the hero’s journey
Pre-Assessment