Integrating Pop Culture in the Classroom: The Incredibles

It’s been a while since the Parr family, perhaps better known as the Incredibles, has seen some quality superhero action in Metroville – they haven’t united to fight crime on the big screen since 2004, to be exact. Thankfully, Pixar’s highly anticipated sequel, Incredibles 2, is out June 15, meaning that it’s the perfect time to introduce Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet, Dash, and Baby Jack-Jack to your class. As part of our Integrating Pop Culture in the Classroom series (we started by embracing the Force with Star Wars), our sister company, Participate Inc. has curated a collection of resources that will help you close out the year in nothing short of an incredible fashion.

Classroom connections

There are numerous ways to tie the themes, lessons, and superpowers that appear in Incredibles 2 into educational activities. Find a few ideas that Dash would sprint for below, and be sure to check out the entire collection for other ways to channel your (academic) force field.

• The Incredibles and gender roles: In the superhero sequel, Elastigirl is tasked with starting a new job and supporting her family, leaving Mr. Incredible with the responsibility of looking over Violet, Dash, and Baby Jack-Jack.
  • Discuss gender roles with your class: are there specific jobs meant for men and women? For additional resources, check out our course on SDG 5: Gender Equality.
• Math is math: In an attempt to help Dash with his homework, Mr. Incredible gets in a tizzy about traditional math techniques and how to solve the problem at hand. Frustrated, he exclaims “I don’t know that way—why would they change math? Math is math. Math is math!”
  • Tie this into the problem-solving methods you use in the classroom. Are there different ways to go about solving equations? Is math math?
• Map it out: The city of Metroville is not your average thriving metropolis, especially with residents like the Parr family.
  • Have students create a map of Metroville and other important locations referenced in the movie, like Edna Mode’s infamous mansion.

• Create your own superhero: Each member of the Incredible family is known for their own unique superpower(s), bringing different strengths to the table and making them an unstoppable force when combined.
  • Ask your class: which Incredible character do you most relate to? If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be and why? Have students create their own superheroes and logos, then showcase what makes each of them incredible in your classroom.
• Follow the wise words of Edna Mode: The outspoken fashionista is just as known for her design as she is for her spunk, loyalty, and wisdom.
  • What can your students learn from these “E” Mode quotes and how can they be applied? How can the class express these nine key life lessons that appear in The Incredibles?

Freeze like Frozone! Find more ways to use Incredibles 2 in your class. Harness your superpowers and be sure to stay tuned for more opportunities to integrate pop culture in the classroom.