THEME
Change

GENERALIZATIONS
1.	Change is a constant
2.	Change occurs on small and large scales
3.	Change can be man made or natural
4.	Change can come from a single action or may occur over time

TOPIC
Modern American Mythology

TITLE
Heroes, Villains and the Rest of Us

LARGE CONTENT BASED IDEAS
* Americans have created their own mythology and those myths have changed
  over time.
* Myths have changed the way people view the world.
* As the times have changed, the heroes and villains of the modern era have
  changed too.
* American heroes have gone from being predominantly defenders to becoming
  proactive in dealing with issues and themes.
* The violence in comics and myth based media has increased over time.
* To day’s heroes are more violent and angst ridden than their counterparts
  from the "Golden Age" of American Mythology (the 1960’s).
* The audience of today’s comics have changed from young people to a more
  adult market.
* Many children growing up today are not being exposed to the mythology
  that has been established during the "Golden Age".
* Fan fiction has become a medium for followers of certain characters to 
  take control of the world their heroes live in.

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTIONS
* Why are heroes important to people?
* How do heroes affect our everyday lives?
* What is the "Golden Age" of heroes?
* What is ‘modern mythology’?
* What is the basis of mythology?
* Why are dual / secret identities so important to today’s myths?
* Who were the first ‘superheroes’?
* Why and how have the heroes of the ‘Golden Age’ changed?
* What is the foundation of modern American mythology?
* Why is it important to have a mythology?
* What purpose do villains play in our lives?

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
* Students will brainstorm a list of characters, TV shows, comics and 
  movies that have taken places within modern mythology.
* Students will classify the characters they collectively brainstormed 
  into categories of their own choosing.
* Students will research a group of self chosen characters and write a 
  biography of one character.
* Students will view and read excerpts from some of the founders of modern 
  American mythology from the "Golden Age" and write reviews of the
  materials.
* Students will choose a characters that were discussed in class and will
  write an original story (fan fiction).
* Students will assume the identity of a fictional character and debate 
  that character has changed people’s perception of the world we live in.
* Students will create a portfolio of all work done during the unit and 
  write a reflection paper over what they have learned during the unit.

INTRODUCTORY, DEVELOPMENTAL, & CULMINATING ACTIVITIES
* Brainstorm a list of characters from TV, comics and movies that relate
  to modern mythology.
* Classify the characters the class has brainstormed in self-chosen
  categories.
* Write a biography of a fictional character from modern mythology.
* Review media (videos, books) from the ‘Golden Age’.
* Write a story using different characters discussed and researched in
  class.
* Assume the identity of a fictional character and then debate that
  character’s influence on the world we live in today.
* Create a portfolio containing all work done in the unit.
* Write a reflection paper telling what was learned during the unit.

ASSESSMENT
* Internal assessment will be done through the final reflection paper.
* External assessment will be done through project tasks and the final 
  portfolio.
* Formative assessment on project tasks will be graded pass / fail with up
  to two re-submits.
* Summative assessment will be done through the portfolio students will
  turn in at the end of the unit.  The portfolio will be evaluated based
  on content, completeness and presentation.  It should contain at a
  minimum:
  * reflection paper
  * research on the fictional character the student role-played
  * critique of the role play from the teacher and fellow students
  * reviews of materials on the ‘Golden Age’
  * Rubric of characters brainstormed
  * brainstormed list of characters