Diane Strever

Strever's "Raising Heroes" project is a 13-week unit that integrates language arts, social studies, information technology, and character education. Students begin the unit by selecting a hero and writing a position paper about that person. Through research and discussion, students then create an oral presentation of their hero and are challenged to create a substantive definition of a "hero." The project culminates in a "Heroes Night," during which students present their subjects to parents and community evaluators. This project helps students develop writing and research skills, while discovering the character traits and integrity required of true heroes.