Step 1 Identifying what makes a good superhero : the basic formula
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 1. Before reading the text. a. Try to answer the question asked in the title. Exchange your views with your classmates.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense b. Look at the cover and give details about the man you can see. Cover of Superman, The Man of Steel DC Comics (April 1997)
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. Group A will read the text from lines 1-6. Group B will read the text from lines 9-25.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. a. Discuss and organise your findings within your group.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. b. Tell the other group what you have understood about superheroes' ''basic formula''.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 3. Explain why Superman is the archetype for superheroes.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 4. Summarise what you know about Superman and complete your logpage (handout).
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 1. Before reading the text. a. In my opinion, a superhero is someone who has super powers. I agree with you. Superman can fly, Spider Man can climb walls.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense b. Superheroes also have a double identity. Superman is also Clark Kent. Clark Kent is a reporter for the Daily Planet Cover of Superman, The Man of Steel DC Comics (April 1997)
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense b. What does The Man of Steel mean? Steel : a strong hard, very resistant metal Cover of Superman, The Man of Steel DC Comics (April 1997)
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. Group A will read the text from lines 1-6. Group B will read the text from lines 9-25.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. a. All superheroes have a costume. Many superheroes have super powers. All superheroes have a double identity.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense 2. In groups. b. You said many superheroes have super powers. It s true. For example, Superman can You said all superheroes have a double identity. You re right. For example, Superman is also Clark Kent. When he s Superman, he s strong and courageous but when he s Clark Kent, he s weak and shy.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Make sense Can you try to find the French equivalents of the following words by using the context : 'trademarks' (l.15) 'flagged down' (l.20) 'stray' (l.22)
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' A trademark is a special way of behaving or dressing that is typical of somebody and that makes them easily recognized. flag somebody/something down to signal to the driver of a vehicle to stop by waving at them
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Stray means to move away from the place where you should be, without intending to.
1. ''What makes a superhero?'' Zoom on Words The outfit of a superhero (handout) Here are items that can be part of a superhero's costume.
The outfit of a superhero 1. a. Classify the items in the grid. Use a dictionary if necessary.
The outfit of a superhero b. Choose an existing superhero and describe his outfit. Do not forget to add colours or distinctive adjectives. Wonder Woman wears star-spangled shorts and red and white high-heel boots...
Zoom on Grammar Expressing abilities When talking about a superhero, you need to talk about his superpowers to describe him. Superman has the ability to regenerate within seconds of receiving a wound.
Expressing abilities He is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. He can fly.
Expressing abilities 2. Choose a superhero and give a few details about his powers and abilities.
Comparing Using comparative forms is a way to describe someone more precisely. Superman is faster than a speeding bullet. He is more powerful than a locomotive.
Comparing Imagine two other comparisons to emphasise Superman's powers. You may use the following adjectives : strong agile tough fierce enduring.
Comparing He is tougher than an armoured door. He is more enduring than gold.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Use the pictures and the notes about Captain America to present him briefly.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Equipment indestructible shield (to attack multile targets in succession with a single throw or as a boomerang)
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Captain America wears a skin-tight star-spangled outfit with some blue, red and white.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Captain America wears a brown belt with red gloves and boots.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Captain America has a white star on his chest and at the center of his shield.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Captain America carries an indestructible starspangled shield.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Powers - enhanced strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes - healing, immune to many diseases - master of multiple martial arts - military strategy, pilot
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Powers - enhanced strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes - healing, immune to many diseases - master of multiple martial arts - military strategy, pilot Captain America has the ability to run several hours at top speed without any fatigue. Cap' can avoid bullets with his super reflexes.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Powers - enhanced strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes Captain America is able to heal very fast and can recover from any serious injury. - healing, immune to many diseases - master of multiple martial arts - military strategy, pilot Cap' can knock out several opponents thanks to his mastery of several martial arts.
Talking about Captain America's looks and powers. Powers - enhanced strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes - healing, immune to many diseases - master of multiple martial arts - military strategy, pilot Cap' has the ability to pilot several types of vehicles such as aircrafts. Cap' can elaborate very efficient strategies to complete a mission.
Expressing contrast Make as many sentences as you can to compare Catwoman's two different outfits in the folowing images.
Expressing contrast
Expressing contrast Catwoman's outfit in the first picture seems more coloured and funnier than the one she is wearing in the second picture. Her hair is longer in the first picture than in the second one. She seems more aggressive in the second picture than in the first picture.
Over to you 1. Guessing game a. choose a superhero and jot down a few notes about his / her looks and abilities.
Over to you 1. Guessing game b. Present him / her to the class and have them guess his name.
Over to you 2. The '' basic formula'' a.in groups, discuss superheroes you know and say wether they ''stray from this basic formula''.
Over to you 2. The '' basic formula'' b. Choose a member of your group to report your conclusions to the class.