EVERYDAY HEROES INQUIRY
Imagining Your Hero
DAY 2 ACTIVITY
15-20 Minutes

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Investigate what makes a story into a tall tale
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Explore the story of John Henry
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Create a “Trading Card Plan”

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Paper or notebook
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Pencil, pen, or other writing tool
THIS WEEK

We’re thinking about
the question:
"How can we celebrate our everyday heroes?”
Your challenge this week is to create a “Tall-Tale Trading Card” that describes the special traits and talents of your personal hero.
Let's Get Started!

Some tall tales are about real people who did amazing things.
Just not as amazing as the tall tales make them seem!
Read below to learn about real people who became tall-tale characters!
“Calamity Jane"
Real Name: Martha Jane Canary
Lived 1852–1903
Fact:
Martha Jane Canary rode horses over many miles and across rivers to deliver the mail. She was known for being strong and brave.
Exaggeration:
Calamity Jane was so good at throwing a rope, that she could knock a fly off a cow's ear.
“Johnny Appleseed”
Real Name: John Chapman
Lived 1774–1845
Fact:
John Chapman planted some of the first apple trees in the West. He was good at hiking and sleeping outdoors.
Exaggeration:
Johnny Appleseed walked across the country planting apple seeds, with a sack for a shirt, a tin pot for a hat, and no shoes.

Let’s dig deeper into a tall tale based on a real person named John Henry.
He helped to build the railroads in the mid-1800s.
To build the railroads, people needed to dig tunnels and create paths through mountains.
This picture shows a statue of John Henry.
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What do you think John is holding?
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How would you describe John in this picture?
John Henry worked on the railroads as a steel driver.
To dig tunnels, steel drivers like John would swing their hammers as hard as they could to pound a drill into rock.
This was hard and dangerous work.
"John Henry Animated Read-Aloud" video
by Ezra Jack Keats
This video tells the story of John Henry’s race against a machine called a steam drill. He tries to work faster and harder than a steam drill.
Who do you think will win the race?
As you watch…
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Look and listen for parts of the story that show John Henry being strong and working hard.
Now watch the video! Isn’t it amazing that people still tell John Henry’s story today?

Your challenge this week: Create a “Tall-Tale Trading Card” that describes the special talents and traits of a real-life hero. Today, you will choose one of your everyday heroes and make a “Trading Card Plan.”
Now it’s time to create your “Trading Card Plan." Make sure to include:
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Hero Name:
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Trait or Talent:
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Tool:
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Setting:
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Known for: (Hint: This is your exaggeration!)
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Sketch:
Write it out on a piece of paper or use the “Trading Card Plan" handout.
Remember to save your “Trading Card Plan” so you can use it when you make your “Tall-Tale Trading Card.”
Ready for Day 3?
On day 3, you will examine other students’ "Tall-Tale Trading Cards," then make a plan to improve your work.