As I was thinking about what theme I wanted to explore for this topic, I reviewed some of the curriculum for sixth graders. My youngest son is currently a sixth grader. During this year, our Middle School does a unit on Ancient Greece. The ELA and Social Studies Teacher collaborate with many of these lessons. All of my sons have loved this unit and were interested in learning more about Greek Gods and Goddesses. I then looked up the Social Studies Standards and Framework of New York State and realized I had a theme!
NYS Social Studies Standard:
Standard 2: World History
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.
New York State K-6 Framework
6.5 COMPARATIVE CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS IN THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE (ca. 600 B.C.E. – ca. 500 C.E.): As complex societies and civilizations change over time, their political and economic structures evolve. A golden age may be indicated when there is an extended period of time that is peaceful, prosperous, and demonstrates great cultural achievements.
I have found that many students including my own children, find the Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses to be exceptionally interesting. Many students want to learn more about Ancient mythology. There are many resources a teacher can use, both nonfiction and fiction to supplement this unit. What better way to encourage them to continue learning about them through reading. I think it is important that students are encouraged to explore a topic they are learning in class on their own. The books I have chosen to use for my book talk are all fiction and I feel they can definitely do this.
I have chosen the Percy Jackson Olympians series for this assignment. I feel this series is a fantastic way to encourage students to read and learn about this subject. The books are jammed packed with information about Greek Gods and Goddesses plus lots of mythical creatures, action, and adventure. The main character in the Percy Jackson’s series is a 12 year old demi-god, half-god, half-mortal or half blood as some may say. Percy knew nothing of demigods or the fact that gods can produce offspring with humans. Many children who are demi-gods do not know who their God or Goddess parent is. The children will start to develop characteristics similar to that parent.
There are five books in this series. I know students love to discover books that are part of a series. This helps There are graphic novels of these books as well. These graphic novels may appeal to reluctant reads. If a child is a reluctant reader, it may not be that they aren’t interested in a topic but they may not like to read or may not be strong readers. These novels might be a bit overwhelming for some students, there are 375 pages in The Lightning Thief alone. Student who do not have strong reading comprehensive skills may be less intimidated by a graphic novel. The graphic novels have the same story but I think it can be more appealing to some students. I think these books are a wonderful opportunity for students to learn a little bit more of the topic covered in class. We wouldn’t want a child to miss this opportunity just because they might be put off reading a 375 page book.
I have also included some graphic novels about different Greek Gods and Goddesses. They are written by a different author than the Percy Jackson series. I think they can complement the unit and the Percy Jackson series. These graphic novels might be easier for some students to read. They still have great information and are entertaining. readers.
I have provided a detailed summary of the first book. I then briefly summarized the main idea behind each of the additional books.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 1 The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This is the first book in the The Olympians series. Unbeknownst to the main character, Percy Jackson, he is what the book calls a Demi-God, which is what someone is called who is half-god, half mortal. Demi-Gods are people who have one mortal parent and one parent who is a God/Goddess. Strange things have always happened around Percy but he has never really questioned them. The story opens with Percy on a class field trip that he goes on with his peers at his sixth boarding school. At this point he starts to connect the strange occurrences but has no proof something is different. Percy is expelled from the school and goes back home to NYC to live with his mother. When Percy and his mother are on vacation on Long Island, he quickly realizes that Percy goes to a camp for children that are demi-gods called Half-blood camp. Camp Half-Blood is the only safe place for demigods. There is a protective shield around the camp that protects it from Monsters. It is here that he learns about his true parentage. He and the other campers realize Percy is the son of Poseidon, the God of the seas because he experiences magical abilities when he is in or near water.
At this time there is a war going on between the Gods/Goddesses. During this war, Zeus’ lightning rod has been stolen and Percy is a suspect. In order to clear his name, he and his friends Grover, a satyr, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, must go on a quest to find the lightening rod. His quest takes him from Hades and the underworld to Mount Olympus as he tries to find the Lightning Rod and clear his name.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 2 The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Half-Blood camp is under attack! Somehow the protective barrier surrounding the camp has been broken. Percy, Annabeth and Grover have to figure out why this happened and how they can protect the camp.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 3 The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan
The evil Lord Kronos is stirring. He is slowly regaining his power. Percy and his friends must find out why this is happening. Kronos is the father of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. These Gods defeated him and sent him to eternal prison but he is starting to regain strength.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 4 The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Percy and his friends must go on a Quest to try and stop the evil Kronos. They must find their way through an elaborate Labyrinth which has deadly challenges.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 5 The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
This is the final showdown between the half bloods and the Evil Kronos.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
This book is written from Percy Jackson's perspective. The book contains Percy's knowledge of the different Greek Gods and Goddesses and what Percy knows about the Greek Gods and their world.
Book Titles
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 1 The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 2 The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 3 The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 4 The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 5 The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
Olympians Zeus: King of the Gods by George O’Connor
Olympians Ares: Bringer of War by George O’Connor
Olympians Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O’Connor
Olympians Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory by George O’Connor
Bibliography & Resources
“New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework.” New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework | EngageNY, www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework.
O'Connor, George. Ares: Bringer of War: the graphic novel. First Second, 2015.
O'Connor, George. Hades: Lord of the Dead: the graphic novel. First Second, 2012.
O'Connor, George. Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory: the graphic novel. First Second, 2013.
O'Connor, George. Zeus: King of the Gods: the graphic novel. First Second, 2010.
Riordan, Rick, et al. The Lightning Thief: the graphic novel. Disney/Hyperion, 2010.
Riordan, Rick, et al. The Sea of Monsters: the graphic novel. Disney/Hyperion, 2013.
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2014.
Riordan, Rick. The Battle of the Labyrinth. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2008.
Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2005.
Riordan, Rick. The Last Olympian. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2009.
Riordan, Rick. The Sea of Monsters. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2006.
Riordan, Rick. The Titan’s Curse. New York, Disney/Hyperion, 2007.
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