Unleashing Student Superpowers
Practical Teaching Strategies for 21st Century Students
Kristen N. Swanson
- The Edcamp Foundation
Hadley J. Ferguson
- The Edcamp Foundation
Purchase
eBook
ISBN:
9781483320571
Available from
January 0001
Paperback
ISBN:
9781483350967
Available from
January 0001
Description
Turn students into learning superheroes!
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
- Supports one of the six student superpowers: Wondering, Curating, Designing, Digital Inking, Gaming, and Connecting
- Encourages students to think deeply; as required by the CCSS and NGSS
- Includes step-by-step lesson frameworks, aligned with the Common Core, that fit into your regular day
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Contents
Foreword by Marilee Sprenger
Foreword by Marilee Sprenger
A Preface From the Superpower Guardians
A Preface From the Superpower Guardians
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1. Anything Is Possible: So Why Do Our Classrooms Have So Many Limits?
- What's the Point of School?
- The Knowing-Doing Gap
- Teachers Are Designers
- I'm Busy! Where Does This Fit?
- Research Reminders
- What About the Standards?
- All About the Common Core State Standards
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 2. The Student Superpowers
- The Student Superpowers
- What Is an Instructional Journey? How Does It Promote Student Superpowers?
- The Superpowers Are Bigger Than Specific Journeys
- Debunking Departmentalization
- Included Components of Each Instructional Journey
- A Few Final Considerations
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 3. The Wondering Instructional Journey: What Do You Wonder?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Wondering Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAME SHOW REDESIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 4. The Curating Instructional Journey: Solving a Puzzle
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Curating Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING SCHOOL CLUBS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 5. The Connecting Instructional Journey: Sharing Stories
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Connecting Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CONNECTING AROUND THE WORLD
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 6. The Digital Inking Instructional Journey: What Should We Tweet?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Digital Inking Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING AN INTERACTIVE CAMPAIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 7. The Designing Instructional Journey: What Can You Make?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Designing Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? DESIGN A SCHOOL BUS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 8. The Gaming Instructional Journey: Make Life More Fun!
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Gaming Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAMIFY YOUR HOMEWORK
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 9. The Superpower Audit: How Am I Doing?
- How Can I Track Progress?
- How Should These Audits Be Used?
- Summary
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 10. Start Today: Ten First Steps
- Finding Small Wins
- 1. It's All About Choice
- 2. What Does Good Work Look Like?
- 3. Knowing What I Know
- 4. Different Every Day
- 5. List-Group-Label
- 6. Student-Directed Share
- 7. Think Time
- 8. Three-Finger Self-Assessment
- 9. Gallery Walk
- 10. A Class Blog
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 11. More Readings: The Fab Five
- Continuing the Journey
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
References
References
Index
Index
Resources
Pinterest Boards
http://www.pinterest.com/ssuperpowers/Additional materials
Description
Turn students into learning superheroes!
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
- Supports one of the six student superpowers: Wondering, Curating, Designing, Digital Inking, Gaming, and Connecting
- Encourages students to think deeply; as required by the CCSS and NGSS
- Includes step-by-step lesson frameworks, aligned with the Common Core, that fit into your regular day
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Contents
Foreword by Marilee Sprenger
Foreword by Marilee Sprenger
A Preface From the Superpower Guardians
A Preface From the Superpower Guardians
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1. Anything Is Possible: So Why Do Our Classrooms Have So Many Limits?
- What's the Point of School?
- The Knowing-Doing Gap
- Teachers Are Designers
- I'm Busy! Where Does This Fit?
- Research Reminders
- What About the Standards?
- All About the Common Core State Standards
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 2. The Student Superpowers
- The Student Superpowers
- What Is an Instructional Journey? How Does It Promote Student Superpowers?
- The Superpowers Are Bigger Than Specific Journeys
- Debunking Departmentalization
- Included Components of Each Instructional Journey
- A Few Final Considerations
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 3. The Wondering Instructional Journey: What Do You Wonder?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Wondering Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAME SHOW REDESIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 4. The Curating Instructional Journey: Solving a Puzzle
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Curating Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING SCHOOL CLUBS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 5. The Connecting Instructional Journey: Sharing Stories
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Connecting Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CONNECTING AROUND THE WORLD
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 6. The Digital Inking Instructional Journey: What Should We Tweet?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Digital Inking Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING AN INTERACTIVE CAMPAIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 7. The Designing Instructional Journey: What Can You Make?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Designing Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? DESIGN A SCHOOL BUS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 8. The Gaming Instructional Journey: Make Life More Fun!
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Gaming Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAMIFY YOUR HOMEWORK
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 9. The Superpower Audit: How Am I Doing?
- How Can I Track Progress?
- How Should These Audits Be Used?
- Summary
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 10. Start Today: Ten First Steps
- Finding Small Wins
- 1. It's All About Choice
- 2. What Does Good Work Look Like?
- 3. Knowing What I Know
- 4. Different Every Day
- 5. List-Group-Label
- 6. Student-Directed Share
- 7. Think Time
- 8. Three-Finger Self-Assessment
- 9. Gallery Walk
- 10. A Class Blog
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 11. More Readings: The Fab Five
- Continuing the Journey
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
References
References
Index
Index
Resources
Pinterest Boards
http://www.pinterest.com/ssuperpowers/Additional materials
Reviews
Unleashing Student Superpowers
Practical Teaching Strategies for 21st Century Students
April 2014 | 176 pages | Corwin
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 01/02/2026 | 9781483350967 | $37.95 |
| Lifetime | 01/02/2026 | 9781483320571 | $35.00 |
Turn students into learning superheroes!
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Like we see in the movies, no two superheroes learn to use their powers in the exact same way. Each of your students has superpowers hidden inside, and you hold the keys to unlock them. With this cutting-edge handbook, you’ll turn your classroom into a place where students don’t just receive an education—they use their powers to create it.
Discover specific, ready-to-use instructional journeys designed to foster an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment. Each research-based journey
- Supports one of the six student superpowers: Wondering, Curating, Designing, Digital Inking, Gaming, and Connecting
- Encourages students to think deeply; as required by the CCSS and NGSS
- Includes step-by-step lesson frameworks, aligned with the Common Core, that fit into your regular day
Tear through the obstacles of achievement and show your students that anything is possible!
“Ferguson and Swanson explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative and show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it.”
—Erin Klein, Teacher
Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills
“Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students’ learning.”
—Victoria Olson, Teacher
West Langley Elementary School, Canada
Table Of Contents:
- Foreword by Marilee Sprenger
- A Preface From the Superpower Guardians
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- Chapter 1. Anything Is Possible: So Why Do Our Classrooms Have So Many Limits?
- What's the Point of School?
- The Knowing-Doing Gap
- Teachers Are Designers
- I'm Busy! Where Does This Fit?
- Research Reminders
- What About the Standards?
- All About the Common Core State Standards
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 2. The Student Superpowers
- The Student Superpowers
- What Is an Instructional Journey? How Does It Promote Student Superpowers?
- The Superpowers Are Bigger Than Specific Journeys
- Debunking Departmentalization
- Included Components of Each Instructional Journey
- A Few Final Considerations
- Look Back and Step Forward
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 3. The Wondering Instructional Journey: What Do You Wonder?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Wondering Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAME SHOW REDESIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 4. The Curating Instructional Journey: Solving a Puzzle
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Curating Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING SCHOOL CLUBS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 5. The Connecting Instructional Journey: Sharing Stories
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Connecting Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CONNECTING AROUND THE WORLD
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 6. The Digital Inking Instructional Journey: What Should We Tweet?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Digital Inking Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? CREATING AN INTERACTIVE CAMPAIGN
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 7. The Designing Instructional Journey: What Can You Make?
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Designing Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? DESIGN A SCHOOL BUS
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 8. The Gaming Instructional Journey: Make Life More Fun!
- Superpower Summary and Overview
- Gaming Journey at a Glance
- Instructional Journey Goals
- Student-Friendly Authentic Learning Problem
- General Progression
- Connecting the Standards
- Learning Activities and Tech Upgrades
- Formative Assessment and Tracking Student Progress Toward Goals
- Final Assessment: Have Your Goals Been Achieved? GAMIFY YOUR HOMEWORK
- Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Window Into the Classroom
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 9. The Superpower Audit: How Am I Doing?
- How Can I Track Progress?
- How Should These Audits Be Used?
- Summary
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 10. Start Today: Ten First Steps
- Finding Small Wins
- 1. It's All About Choice
- 2. What Does Good Work Look Like?
- 3. Knowing What I Know
- 4. Different Every Day
- 5. List-Group-Label
- 6. Student-Directed Share
- 7. Think Time
- 8. Three-Finger Self-Assessment
- 9. Gallery Walk
- 10. A Class Blog
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- Chapter 11. More Readings: The Fab Five
- Continuing the Journey
- A Question to Consider as You Reflect
- References
- Index
Recent Product Reviews:
"Ferguson and Swanson take teachers on a step-by-step journey through the process of planning powerful pedagogy for today's learners. They not only explain why tapping into student competencies is imperative, but they show the road-map for matching engaging activities to specific standards. So many books on the market explain why a shift is needed; this one gives you the tools to do it."
Erin Klein, Teacher, Second Grade Teacher and Technology Chairperson, Michigan Reading Association, Bloomfield Hills, MI
"Unleashing Student Superpowers is an amazing resource for the creation and enhancement of student-centered classroom environments that focus on high-level questioning, inquiry, and passion-based learning. Each Superpower theme provides linkages to the Common Core and flexible lesson plans that promote relevant skills for students learning, curating, questioning, connecting, authoring, and creating in a digital age."
Victoria Olson, Grades 3-4 Teacher and Technology Coach, West Langley Elementary School, West Langley Elementary School
"Swanson and Ferguson make the case that anything is possible in our classrooms. Student superpowers are not something to hope for, but instead they are real, tangible, and accessible ways to unleash each student’s potential. If you want to prepare our young students to be successful in today’s world, and in the future, read this book and watch your teaching change into a powerful motivational force. The “ten first steps” to starting today will have you moving toward this type of learning in no time!"
A. J. Julian, Author and K-12 Technology Staff Developer, Wissahickon School District, Ambler, PA
"In this book, Swanson and Ferguson provide a practical framework set to unlock the potential inside every student. The many easy-to-use strategies can be implemented in classrooms tomorrow. This book will help any teacher see and bring out the very best of each one of his/her students."
Thomas C. Murray, Director of Technology and Cyber Education, Quakertown Community School District, PA