Versions of Supers: Using Heroclix in the Classroom

     TEACHERS: STEAL MY PPT PRESENTATION BELOW.

     As I write this post, I am in the middle of grading the essays to which it refers.  I suppose this post is an example of noble procrastination.

     One of the thematic units that my textbook prescribes is about HEROES.  That, of course, means that at some point in the unit I will need to have the students read about SUPERHEROES. 

     When that time comes I have the students do the following things: 

• Read comics for several days that focus on a student’s chosen hero.
• Take notes on the hero’s RANGE, DAMAGE, ATTACK, DEFENSE, AND SPEED while reading.
• Summarize each complete story read.

     Then I show the students a Heroclix (Wizkids/NECA, Inc.) version of the hero they have studied and the real assignments begin.

Post-Reading Tasks Using Heroclix: Same Hero, Different Version?  

Essay Prompt Only 

 

MINIS MIGHTILY MAGNIFY READER REFLECTION: A QUICK TIP

     Heroes and heroism is a common thematic unit in high school and middle school English classes.  Students are exposed to the exploits of Beowulf and Odysseus and Arthur.  Some teachers see this as a great opportunity to compare and contrast these heroes with famous heroes of comic books.  If this is the case with you, I would like to share a couple fun ways for students to demonstrate and defend reading comprehension using comic books and games. 

• Have students read a comic book, either in book form or online.
• Explain to the students how Heroclix superhero miniatures are statted:  numeric and textual explanations of their strengths and powers.
• Have the students stat out the characters they read about in their comic book of choice.
• (OPTIONAL) Students could get fancy by using this cool Heroclix Dial Generator.
• Have students defend each of their numeric stats and powers as they relate to the comic book they read.
• Reveal the real Heroclix stats for the same characters.
• Discuss which stats better reflect the actions and personalities of the characters in the comic book the students read.
• Students formalize their thoughts in a compare and contrast essay:  real Heroclix stats versus their own original stats. 

One of the great things about Heroclix is that there are hundreds of superheroes miniatures available, and they can be found at comic book and game stores sold separately starting at fifty cents to one dollar each. If you are willing to poke around, Critical Hit Magazine offers lots of these stats within its digital pages.

    This same assignment could be done using any roleplaying game that has superheroes statted out.  Instead of having to look up individual characters, all the teacher would need would be a game book. Here is a link to free pdfs of a classic of this sort, the old Marvel Superhero Roleplaying Game.

Mr. Miyagi Must Have Been a Gamer

     I have been watching the original Karate Kid movie with my children and have been reminded of one of the wonderful things about games.  They teach us as if by accident.  I was reminded of this as I watched the karate kid himself, Daniel Larusso, begin his training under Mr. Miyagi.  Before getting to any of the fun stuff, his training consisted of washing a car, waxing a car, sanding a deck, painting a fence, and painting a house.  You just know that Jersey boy is going to blow.  He wants to kick and punch and grunt in cool ways.  How else is he going to be able to destroy his schoolyard nemesis at the upcoming karate tournament?  Karate training cannot consist of renovating Miyagi’s entire dwelling place…or can it?  After Daniel finally loses his temper with his trainer, he realizes that these boring chores are valuable.  Miyagi shows him that the techniques he has learned to sand, to wash, to wax, and to paint are also the same techniques that can block punches and stop kicks quicker than lightning.  Myagi was teaching patience and perseverence, sure.  That fence Daniel had to paint was HUGE, but he was really using those chores to teach Daniel how to defend himself well.  The odd jobs were there to teach Daniel something that he wanted to learn.  He just didn’t realize it.

     Miyagi must have been a gamer because when my eight-year-old wants to take me on in a Heroclix grudgematch between the Fantastic Four and a host of Batman incarnations, I am often first at the table.  I love the game;  Heroclix is fun, like chess with superheroes, but I also know that my son is going to be learning in the process.  He will be adding and subtracting constantly in order to know if he has hit one of my characters, and he will have to use the third “R” even more when he does slug Reed Richards in the rubbery face because he will definitely want to make sure I count my damage correctly.  In addition (no pun intended),  if he wants to make maximum knock-out impact on his father’s characters, he will need to read beyond his years.  First, he will need to be able to decode what superpowers each of his characters possessess.  Then he will need to comprehend what those powers actually do within the context of this particular game.  This requires some serious thinking for a second grader, but he will be all too willing to sand these decks and paint these fences.  He’s got a dad that needs some clobberin’.  That’s fine with me.  I get to play a fun game; he gets to play a fun game, and defeat his father, and learn like crazy.  Wax on, Wax off.  Breathe.  Repeat.  Learn.