Superheroes can be used to represent core democratic principles, including Truth, Justice, Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and others. Using Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and teams of superheroes, students can explore the ideas and ideals these heroes represent.

1. Quinn Rollins 2013

2. Principle 1

The Common Good:
Seeking and promoting
what’s best for everyone, not just one individual.

3. Common Good
Example: Spider-Man
“With great power comes
great responsibility…”

4. Principle 2

Truth:
Being completely and actively honest.

5. Truth
Example: Wonder Woman
Her lasso forces people to tell
the truth.

6. Principle 3

Justice:
All people should be treated fairly

7. Justice
Example: Batman
He became Batman after his
parents were killed; he
doesn’t want that to
happen to anyone else.

8. Principle 4

Patriotism:
A feeling of love, pride, and
devotion to the country.

9. Patriotism
Example: Captain America
Became a hero to serve his
country; his costume
represents the United States.

10. Principle 5

Equal Opportunity: Legal, political,
social, and economic equality of opportunity.

11. Equal Opportunity
Example: Justice League…everyone has the chance to work
together on the team.

12. Principle 6

Individual Rights: Each person is born
with the rights of life, liberty, property, and the
pursuit of happiness.

13. Individual Rights
Example: Fantastic Four
Each person on the team wants
something different, but
work together and sacrifice
for each other’s happiness

14. Principle 7

Diversity:
Variety in cultural and ethnic
background is permissible, desirable, and good

15. Diversity
Example: X-Men
Although they’re rejected by
most of society for being
mutants, they accept and
celebrate each other’s
differences.

16. More Heroes
Each of these heroes can be seen as an example of one (or more) of
the Core Democratic Values. What other values do they have?


17. Villains
Villains are frequently characters who undermine the Core
Democratic Principles.


18. Other Values are other
Besides the 7 Core Democratic Principles, there
values that we promote as a school and as a nation.
They include:

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
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Family
Caring
Responsibility
Trust
Respect

19. Your Assignment:

Create a superhero that represents one of the seven Core
Democratic Principles.
Include: Superhero Name
Which Core Democratic Principle your
hero represents
What superpowers your hero has
Full-color picture of your superhero
Due Tomorrow at End of Class.