Superhero Research Project

What You Need:

• Real Superpowers vs. Supernatural Abilities Chart
• Real Superpowers Graphic Organizer
• Plain or lined paper
• Construction paper or cardstock in any colors
• Stapler
• Coloring mediums

What You Do:

1. Explain to your students that they will do some research on superheroes with the help of graphic organizers.
2. Print out copies of the Real Superpowers vs. Supernatural Abilities Chart and the Real Superpowers Graphic Organizer.
3. Start off your discussion on superheroes by discussing the difference between fiction and nonfiction, what is real and what is not real.  Then, have your student name a few superheroes and talk about their powers. Check for understanding by having them explain which powers are real and not real.       
4. Next, ask students to choose a superhero to research. Their research should focus on the superhero's powers that can be applied to real life, in that they are possible for real people to do.  Students should fill out their Real Superpowers vs. Supernatural Abilities Chart by categorizing the powers that are real and those that are not real.
5. After completing the research portion, your students can now use the graphic organizer. In the middle part, they can write the name of the superhero.  On the other parts of the web they can write in a real power that the superhero has.
6. Now have them use their research as a reference to create their own superhero that has real powers, powers that are possible for people to have and can be used in real life. They can draw their superhero on a piece of paper if they would like to.  
7. Once they have created their own superhero, have them create a journal by using two pieces of construction paper or cardstock (one page for the cover and one for the back).  Insert the lined paper and staple on the left side.
8. Explain that in the journal they should write about the life of their superhero. The student can also write this from the perspective of the superhero; maybe it’s the superhero’s long-lost diary!

Note: If you do not have access to a printer, the templates can be drawn.