Teaching the Hero's Journey: A Fantasy Choice Unit Approach for 11- 12 Grade ELA [S7 EP. 259]
Listen to the full episode below:
We’re back for the last part in our series about one of the most classic storytelling frameworks of all time—The Hero’s Journey—but with a fresh twist. We’ve talked about how, instead of treating it like just another box to check in the curriculum, we’re using it as a launching pad for connection, choice, and deeper meaning in the classroom. Over the past few weeks, we’ve dug into what vertical alignment really looks like when it’s done with intention as we’ve discussed units from seventh grade through tenth grade.
Today, we share how Marie revamped her eleventh-grade American Lit course by weaving in a fantasy choice novel unit…yes, fantasy in American Lit! It felt risky, but it completely transformed how her students engaged with the content. By embracing fantasy as a legitimate genre in the American literary tradition, we invited students to challenge what “counts” as literature and connect with stories in a way that felt relevant and exciting.
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the idea that choice and student voice matter. We’ll share engaging supplemental texts that will hep students uncover the deeper themes of escape, identity, and morality, while also sharpening their critical thinking and discussion skills through Socratic seminars and multimedia analysis. It’s not about abandoning structure, but about reframing it in a way that brings learning to life.
Ready for the best news? If you’re a member of Happy Hour, you’ll have access to this unit! Join us back here next week as we kick off another season of Camp BNT!
topics discussed:
The progression of skills for teaching The Hero’s Journey from seventh grade to 11th/12th grade
Our selected essential question for this unit: why do we pursue escape?
A suggested summative that is the perfect fit for a fantasy choice unit
Four big features to track throughout the unit: elements, themes, setting, and conflict
Favorite supplemental texts and movies for this unit
Putting your instructional focus on rhetorical analysis
resources:
Follow Marie on Instagram: @thecaffeinatedclass
Follow Amanda on Instagram: @mudandinkteaching
Let us know what you think! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
check out other bnt episodes:
Episode 256, Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Dos and Don’ts of Unit Design
Episode 257, Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Studying The Hobbit for Middle School ELA
More about Brave New Teaching:
Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!
Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.