Lessons

Grade 8

Lesson

3

:

Writing a Hero’s Journey

Lesson
3
:

Writing a Hero’s Journey

Grade

Grade 8

UNIT

9

•

Humanity

Last Updated:

June 10, 2025

In Unit 9, Lesson 3, “Writing a Hero’s Journey,” students will craft a Hero’s Journey, based on the work of Joseph Campbell. Students will choose a person who interests them from the book read earlier in this unit: The Burning: Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 by Tim Madigan, adapted by Hilary Beard. They will write a Hero’s Journey narrative featuring a protagonist who faces challenges, overcomes adversity, and returns transformed.

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‍SUGGESTED TIME:

1 class period to begin prewriting; the rest can be completed as homework

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RELATED SUBJECT:

English Language Arts

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Understand the seven core elements of the Hero’s Journey (protagonist, shift, quest, challenge, allies, transformation, legacy). 
  • Write a Hero’s Journey narrative containing all seven elements.
  • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3.A

Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3.B

Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3.C

Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3.D

Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3.E

Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.4

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.10

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Performance Character A6

Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit

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Social-Awareness A1

Experience and demonstrate empathy

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Social-Awareness A3

Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives

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Social-Awareness A5

Practice “perspective taking” as a strategy to strengthen your acceptance of others

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Social-Awareness A6

Demonstrate awareness and understanding that despite differences, all people have similar needs, feelings and wants

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Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3

Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience

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LESSON PROCEDURE

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Part 1: 

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Part 2: 

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Part 3: 

  • Have students start the writing process by answering the questions on their worksheets. 
  • Explain that they will write the narrative for homework.
  • Tell students that their Hero’s Journey narratives will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review.

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GRADE 8 UNIT 9 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING A HERO’S JOURNEY

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Step 1: Before you begin writing your Hero’s Journey, identify the person who will be your protagonist. 

Step 2: Identify the seven core elements of the Hero’s Journey: 

  1. Protagonist: The central character of the story

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  1. Shift: A change in setting or life circumstances that initiates the journey

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  1. Quest: A clear goal or mission

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  1. Challenge: Obstacles or difficulties that must be overcome 

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  1. Allies: Friends, mentors, or supporters who aid in the journey 

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  1. Transformation: Personal growth or change resulting from the journey 

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  1. Legacy: How the hero's journey positively impacts others

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Step 3: Write a Hero’s Journey of 3 pages and do the following:

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  1. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
  2. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
  3. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
  4. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
  5. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. 

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Note: Your Hero’s Journey will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review.

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Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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