FRAMEWORK: SUPERHEROES

(K-1)
AVATAR
The avatar for this framework is the basic superhero. This superhero avatar can be
placed within a single frame page to provide a location to visibly show progress in
the form of badges, special abilities, health, and attack points (see appendix 1).
At the beginning of the unit, the students choose their basic frame (if options are
provided), or given their basic frame. At this point, they choose a name and color
their character.
POWER-UPS
Power-ups are essentially a currency used between teacher and students to
encourage completion of activities and assignments, and to reward positive
behavior and participation. For grades K-1, the power-ups should stickers in a sticker
book. When a page is complete, the student can cash it in for something.
Each student has a power up sheet they add power-up stickers to (see appendix 2).
Each page can hold 15 stickers.
A day is picked each week for turning in power-up points.

Purchase
Cape Design
Animal Sidekick
Design a Mask
Web Shooter
Super Speed
Breathe Underwater
Flying
Night Vision
Vehicle

Cost
1 Sheet
3 Sheets
1 Sheets
1 Sheet
1 Sheet
1 Sheet
1 Sheet
1 Sheet
4 Sheets

HEALTH
Health points at this age are representations of their book reading, whether on their
own or having the book read to them. This provides a visual representation of their
reading.

BADGES
Badges are providing for making weekly improvement in specific areas. For
example, the Badge of Glory is for completing all your work. The Leaping Tall
Buildings in a Single Bound badge is for completing a timed math fluency in the set
timeframe. With each badge, students also are given additional power-up points.
This is designed so all students can earn badges, not just those showing grade level
competency.
To create badges, there are several online programs including
https://openbadges.me/, https://www.canva.com/features/badges/, and
http://www.onlinebadgemaker.com/.
CHALLENGES/QUESTS
Worksheets are now referred to as challenges or quests, and students can earn
power-up points and/or badges for worksheets turned in correct. Students are
allowed to redo worksheets until they are correct so that they can earn the
points/badges.
Assessment should be used as challenges, and should be worth a badge.
COMMUNAL BAD GUY

The Communal Bad Guys give the superheroes a nemesis to battle. This provides
something within the game to be working towards, as well as bringing the class
together. The attacks on the Bad Guys can be done in a variety of ways. If
everybody completes and turns in their worksheet, a point can be taken from the
Bad Guys health. If the class lines up quietly, a point can be taken from the Bad
Guy. These can be related to behavior management or to academics. When these
happen during ELA, they attack the Word Eater. When these happen during Math,
they attack the Math Wizard. After both of these have been defeated, the class
focuses on the boss, The Destroyer.
Word Eater
This Bad Guy is ELA focused, and is the bad guy the class is fighting when working
on ELA work.
Math Wizard
The Math Wizard is the Math work equivalent.
The Destroyer
The Destroyer is the boss and the hardest, and last to defeat.
EXTENSIONS

Background Story
Write a background story for your character. Where did they come from? What is
their history? What have they done? What do they like? What do they not like?.
Trading Cards
Trading cards could also be created using the students avatars, or using actual
pictures of the students themselves. These could be used as rewards, or could be
something they can purchase with power up points. This does require some extra
work, but there are online templates for creating trading cards, such as
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/tradingcard-creator-30056.html

FRAMEWORK IN PRACTICE EXAMPLE

ELA Session
Warmups: Journal Writing: Prompt Response
Wordwork: Short and long A sound sort worksheet (receive 100 Power-up Points for
correct worksheet turn-in)
Lesson: Rhyming Words
Activity: Rhyming words using magnets, ELA rotations
Math Session
Warmups: Partner facts flashcards
NumberWork: Completing missing numbers on 10s chart (receive 1 Power-up Point
for correct worksheet turn-in)
Assessment: Math Exam (Badge and 3 Power-up Points for successful completionstudents encouraged to correct papers, with support if necessary, after graded to
receive rewards)
Exams (see example in appendix 3)
Math Test: Climbing the Mountain to the Math Wizards Lair (Climbing Badge)
ELA Weekly Spelling Test: Save the Words from the Word Eater! (every word that all
students get correct is an attack point against the Word Eater)

APPENDIX
Appendix 1. Superhero Frame

Appendix 2. Power-up Sheet

Appendix 3. Math Exam Example

Superhero:
___________________

BADGES

HEALTH

Power-Ups Sticker Book

Page 1

Page 2

Name:_______________________________________________________
Date:________________

#1. The Math Wizard is about and trying to make sure no one else can solve
problems. Show him you are a super problem solver by showing all your work to
scare him away!
10-6 =_______

I will
defeat
you all!

#2 Whew! Good job chasing him away, but hes still in our classroom. If we can all
do this problem, I think we can defeat him for the day, and he may even lose some
health!!
2+9=______

Badge can be earned for this challenge!

Points

5 Power-up