Themes

Heroes and Heroines

Aim: To create a portrait of a hero in words and pictures.

Materials: Research materials, paper and a pencil

Procedure:

1. Have students view some or all of the works of art below. Discuss with students:

• How does each of these works depict a hero? What, if anything, does each tell us about the hero? How does each reflect the idea of heroism?
  
  
• What makes a hero? Is Esther a heroine? Is Miriam a heroine? Is Judah Maccabee a hero? Is Hulk Hogan a Hero? Why or why not?
  
  
• What are the qualities that make someone a hero? Who are your heroes? And why?

2. Have each student research his or her hero and write about that person. (If the hero is a family member, friend, or person in the community, the student can interview the hero). Students should consider: What has this person done that is heroic? What heroic qualities does this person possess?

3. Have each student find a picture of his or her hero or create a portrait of the hero through drawing or photography.

4. Have each student choose a short piece of text from what he or she has written and combine the portrait with the text. Have students consider various ways to combine the two. For example, students might overlay words on top of the image, write the text around the perimeter of the image, or incorporate the words into the image. Show students images from comics, magazines, and advertising to help them explore ways to combine them.