The Lightning Thief & Greek Mythology (2020)

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 8

6th Grade

Lesson 8 of 28

Objective


Build background information on the archetypal hero. 

Explain the relationship between Percy Jackson and The Hero’s Journey. 

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Question 1

Which statement best captures Joseph Campbell’s central idea in “The Hero’s Journey”?

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Sample Response

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References

EngageNY ELA Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 1: Lesson 8

Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 1: Lesson 8 created by Expeditionary Learning, on behalf of Public Consulting Group, Inc. is made available by Engage NY under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license. © Public Consulting Group, Inc., with a perpetual license granted to Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, Inc. Accessed Aug. 18, 2017, 3:55 p.m..

Question 2

How do Percy’s experiences align with the hero’s journey? After choosing evidence from both The Lightning Thief and “The Hero’s Journey,” write a paragraph that shows how Percy’s experiences are supported by Campbell’s theory about the hero’s journey.

Make sure to…

  • Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence that makes a claim.
  • Use evidence from The Lightning Thief that supports your claim.
  • Use evidence from “The Hero’s Journey” that supports your claim.
  • Make it clear how the quotes are connected.
  • Close the paragraph with a clear concluding statement.

References

EngageNY ELA Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 1: Lesson 8

Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 1: Lesson 8 created by Expeditionary Learning, on behalf of Public Consulting Group, Inc. is made available by Engage NY under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license. © Public Consulting Group, Inc., with a perpetual license granted to Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, Inc. Accessed Aug. 18, 2017, 3:55 p.m..

Key Questions


  • Text to self: What or whom do you think of when you hear the word "hero"? Provide reasons or examples to support your response.
  • In the margins of the "The Hero’s Journey," read and annotate for the gist of each stage. Write down any examples from movies or books that come to mind with each stage. 
  • The hero’s journey is the archetype of a storyline or narrative; many stories follow the same pattern. Watch the video "The Hero’s Journey according to Joseph Campbell," and jot down any other examples of books and movies you’ve experienced that come to mind as each stage is described. 
  • On p. 38 in The Lightning Thief, Percy says, "A dyslexic, hyperactive boy with a D+ report card, kicked out of school for the sixth time in six years." What stage in the hero’s journey do you think he is in here? What evidence in the article makes you think that?
  • Look at the quotes from The Lightning Thief. Then look at the quotes from "The Hero’s Journey." How do these excerpts below align with the archetype of the hero’s journey? Make the connection for each set of quotes in one or two sentences citing diction from both texts. 
The Lightning Thief "The Hero Journey"
"With a yelp, I dodged and felt talons slash the air next to my ear. I snatched the ballpoint pen out of the air, but when it hit my hand, it wasn’t a pen anymore. It was a sword—Mr. Brunner’s bronze sword, which he always used on tournament day." "Heroes find a mystic object or discover their world is in danger."
"I remember Mr. Brunner’s serious expression, his thousand-year-old-eyes. I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson." "This supernatural character often gives the hero the means to complete the quest. Some of
the time the gift is simply wisdom."
"His neck was a mass of muscle and fur leading up to his enormous head, which had a snout as long as my arm, snotty nostrils with a gleaming brass ring, cruel black eyes and horns …' "As they embark on their journey, the heroes enter a world they have never experienced before. It might be filled with supernatural creatures, breathtaking sights, and the constant fear of death."

 

Vocabulary


archetype ("The Hero's Journey")

Notes


  • Make sure students read the article before watching the video.
  • This lesson connects to a unit test and essential question.

Common Core Standards


  • RI.6.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
  • RL.6.9 — Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Next

Make inferences on Percy’s character based on his interactions with other characters, response to challenges and inner thoughts. 

Lesson 9
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