http://percy-jackson-online-reader.blogspot.com/2010/05/lightning-thief.html

Introductory Presentation

Great Websites to Consult Throughout the Unit:

http://www.mythweb.com/   (information on Greek gods/goddesses and heroes)

http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/enter-camp-half-blood/   (lots of fun links, including maps of Camp Half-Blood and the Underworld!) 

http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/   (information about the series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Day 1 - Read chapter 1 as a class; complete discipline report on Percy for pushing Nancy into the fountain.  Describe the incident in detail, and suggest an appropriate punishment for Percy. (Discipline referral template will be provided.)

Day 2 - As class, discuss pros and cons of boarding school versus day school.  Read chapter 2 independently.  Create a graphic, or illustrated representation of the chapter.  An example will be provided in class, but it is important to bear in mind that your graphic MUST contain:

• A picture in the middle which is a symbol for the chapter. It can be an important object mentioned in the chapter – the bus, for instance, or a pair of scissors.

• At least three colors used to color the object. Each color has to represent something, and you must write why you chose that color. For instance, “Red stands for Percy’s anger at being expelled.”

• On each corner of the page, pick a quote from the chapter and copy it. The quote can be any 1-2 line section that you think is significant, important, or tells something revealing about one of the characters. After each quote, explain what it means and why you picked it in a sentence.

• Put the title of the chapter and your name at the top. 

Day 3 - Read chapter 3 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 4 - Read chapter 4 independently.  Write a letter to Gabe as though you are Percy.  Explain how the Camaro got totaled, and try to convince Gabe that it wasn't your fault!  You can tell the truth or make up a false explanation, but in all cases you must consider the damage to the car as it is described in the chapter!

Day 5 - Read chapter 5 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 6 - Read chapter 6 independently.  You are a janitor at Camp Half-Blood.  Write a letter of complaint to Mr. D, blaming the campers for what happened to your toilets.  Don't forget to use good "voice" in your writing!

Day 7 - As a class, read chapter 7 aloud.  Complete review game.

Day 8 - Read chapter 8 independently.  Using Greek alphabet hand-out, write your name in Ancient Greek on a new name-tag. (Don't forget to include your name, in English, in parentheses!)

Day 9 - Read chapter 9 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.   

Day 10 - Read chapter 10 independently.  Using the description provided in this chapter (page 163), draw the three Furies as they prepare to attack Percy on the bus.

Day 11 - Read chapter 11 independently.  Using the below resources, write an obituary for Medusa.  Remember, the obituary you write should be filled with facts about Medusa's life (from the myths) as well as facts about her death (as depicted in The Lightning Thief).  Use your imagination and tell me: What will her funeral arrangements be?  Where should people send flowers or charitable donations?

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/religion/myths/medusa.htm (info about Medusa's life)

http://www.obitnow.com/examples.cfm (examples of obituaries to guide your writing)

Day 12 - As a class, read chapter 12 aloud.  In an earlier chapter, Percy mentions that cell phones are a no-no for half-bloods because monsters can trace the signals.  But what if Percy had no choice?  Imagine Percy has to send a text message to Chiron about their situation as it stands at the end of chapter 12.  He wants Chiron to know what's going on, but he has to keep it brief so the monsters don't trace the call.  A text message can only be 150 characters, maximum (including spaces and punctuation).  Write the best message for Percy to send Chiron.

Day 13 - Read chapter 13 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 14 - Read chapter 14 independently.  Using http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/profile/fictional.html, create a fictional Myspace account for any character from The Lightning Thief - monster, human, half-blood, or god.  You can draw a picture of your character (after printed) or use google images.  You may have to use your imagination if you are creating a picture of Percy, Annabeth, or any of the other campers.  "About Me," "Latest Blog," and "Interests" sections should all contain AT LEAST 5 sentences.

Day 15 - Read chapter 15 independently.  In this chapter you met Ares, who in modern times wears biker clothes and rides a Harley Davidson with a shotgun holster!  How might the other gods or goddesses look in modern times?  Pick one god or goddess you know about.  Look up information about them (great place to start: www.mythweb.com).  Check for pictures of them on the Internet.  Then write a description (at least 5 sentences) of what they might look like today.  Think: What clothes would they wear?  Hairstyle?  Favorite car?

Day 16 - Read chapter 16 independently.  Pretend YOU are planning a trip to the Lotus Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Tell me: What will you do there?  What will your room be like?  What kinds of games will you play?  What kinds of food will you eat?  How long will you stay?  What year will it be when you finally step outside?  (Remember - time travels slowly in the Lotus Casino.  Darrin has been there since the 1970s, but he's still a kid, and it seems to him that he's only been there a few days!)  Your writing must be at least 8 sentences.

Day 17 - Read chapter 17 independently.  Using Microsoft Publisher, create a flyer/advertisement for Crusty's Waterbed Palace.  Include pictures and at least 5 tidbits of information about the various waterbeds Crusty has to offer.  Include details from the chapter!

Day 18 - Read chapter 18 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 19 - Read chapter 19 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 20 - Read chapter 20 independently.  Respond to discussion questions from the chapter.

Day 21 - Read chapter 21 independently.  Imagine Percy has to write a letter to his father, Poseidon, explaining the choice he made not to petrify Gabe.  What would he say?  How would he explain his choice?  Would he want to tell his father anything else?  Any wishes or requests?  (Your letter must be at least 8 sentences.)

Day 22 - As a class, read chapter 22 aloud.  Discuss thoughts/reactions to the final chapter of the book.  Which characters might appear in the next book of the series?  What questions might be answered?  What new questions might be posed?  

CULMINATING ACTIVITY:

The movie-version of The Lightning Thief is in the works, and it is up to YOU to create a brief movie trailer!  Using  Windows Movie Maker and Audacity, you will need to introduce the actors/actresses who will portray the main characters (Percy, Grover, and Annabeth), give a brief summary of the story (without spoiling the ending!), and state the main theme of the book.  To aid in your production, utilize the following commentary script and check out my sample movie trailer (from The Castle in the Attic).

Commentary Script

Sample Movie Trailer

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

• A satyr - describes a creature which is half-human and half-goat (Grover is a satyr).

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• A minotaur - describes a creature which is half-human and half-bull.

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• A centaur - describes a creature which is half-human and half-horse (Chiron is a centaur).

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• A nymph - describes a beautiful young woman who is part fairy.

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• A naiad - describes a type of nymph found near fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks.

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• Medusa - once a beautiful woman, Medusa was caught kissing Poseidon in Athena's temple.  Angered by this trespass, Athena punished Medusa by making her hideous, turning her pretty strands of long hair into snakes and giving her the destructive power of turning anyone who looked directly at her into stone!

• Hades - god of the underworld; lord of the dead.  Hades is a brother to Zeus and Poseidon.

• Pan - a satyr-like god who resided over wild places.

• Iris - the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods.

• Ares - the Greek god of war who had an affair with Aphrodite, the goddess of love.  Hephaestus, Aphrodite's husband, often set traps to catch and embarrass his wife and Ares.

• Procrustes - http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/why/basics/procrustes.html

• Persephone - the goddess of the underworld; Hades's wife.

• Kronos - a Titan; father of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades; sliced into a thousand pieces by Zeus, who was disgusted with his corruptness.

• Argus - a giant with a hundred eyes!

• An oracle is a prophecy, or a revelation of the future.

• The summer solstice refers to the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, on or about June 21st.

• Tartarus - a dank, gloomy pit - the lowest region of the world, even lower than the underworld!