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Books for All Teens Book Club: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

This course gives students a chance to read Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book One: The Lightning Thief, a fun novel of that combines adventure, mythology, and a hero who is dyslexic and also has ADHD .The class is designed to be accessible to students with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences.
Bridget Smith M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:
(895)
Rising Star
Class

What's included

6 live meetings
4 hrs 30 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

This class is for all teens including teens with learning differences who need low reading level high interest books to develop reading fluency and comprehension.  In "Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1: The Lighting Thief" by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson, a kid with ADHD and other learning differences battles bullies and monsters as he works to discover his place in the world.  Students will respond to what they read using graphic organizers and class discussion to support writing development and comprehension.  Throughout the class, students will also have the opportunity to reflect on their own lives, challenges, and successes.

Session 1:  School and Family Life

Intro question:  Who are your people?

Launching the book: The teacher will read the first four chapters of The Lightning Thief.  

In class activity: Students will make and share a graphic organizer comparing their own school and home lives with that of Percy Jackson.

HW: Read Chapters 5, 6,7, and 8  and do a short reading response sheet

Session 2:  Dyslexia and ADHD Gift or Challenge?

Intro question:  What comes easily for you?  What is challenging for you?

Discussion: How does Annabeth interpret Percy's Dyslexia and ADHD symptoms on page 85-86?  What does her interpretation mean to you?

In class activity: What are your gifts?  What are your challenges?  How can you re-interpret your challenges as gifts?  Use a graphic organizer to record your thoughts.

HW: Read Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12  and do a short reading response sheet

Session 3:   Friendship and Gifts

Intro question:  What is a great gift that you have received?

Discussion: Who are Percy's friends at Camp Half-blood?  What gifts do they give him?  What is the Oracle's prophecy?  What do you think it means? How do Annabeth, Percy, and Grover take care of each other as they begin their journey?

In class activity: Make a graphic that explains the gifts that are given and received in between the characters in the book so far. Which gift do you think is most important and why?  

HW: Read Chapters 13,14, 15, 16  and do a short reading response sheet.

Session 4:  Getting Sidetracked

Intro question: What are some things that get you sidetracked?
 
Discussion: How do Percy and his friends get sidetracked? How do they get back on track?

In class activity:  Create an illustration for a graphic novel version of this section.

HW: Read Chapters   17, 18,19 and do a short reading response sheet.
 

Session 5: Follow Your Heart

Intro question:  What was a time when you "followed your heart"?

Discussion: Does Percy follow his heart in his encounter with Hades?  Does he make the right decision?  Why or why not?  Who set Percy up?

In class activity: Draw or create a written description of a character who lives in Hades or a region of Hades.

HW: Read Chapters   20, 21, 22  and do a short reading response sheet.

Session 6: Family Ties

Intro question:  How does your family support you?  What do you find challenging about being part of a family?

Discussion: Describe the relationships between parents and children in this section of the book. Did Percy and Annabeth make the right decision to go home to their human families?  Why or why not?

In Class Activity: Write a letter from Percy, Anabelle, or Grover to Chiron about what happens during their time away from Camp Half Blood.

Learning Goals

Students will gain fluency and comprehension by reading and discussing the novel.  Students will practice organizing and communicating their ideas using graphic organizers, creative writing, and other strategies.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This book refers to ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. References in the book should be OK for teen learners but if you wish to learn more consult the Common Sense Media review. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-lightning-thief-percy-jackson-and-the-olympians-book-1
Supply List
Percy Jackson and The Olympians: Book 1  The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan is required for this class.  Students may use e-books, hardcopy and paperbacks, or audiobooks to read and comprehend the text.

Handouts will be uploaded in into the Outschool classroom before many sessions.

Paper, markers or colored pencils, and pens or pencils are great to have on hand for class activities.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Percy Jackson and The Olympians: Book 1 The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan is required for this class. Students may use e-books, hardcopy and paperbacks, or audiobooks to read and comprehend the text.
Joined June, 2020
4.7
895reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from University of California, Santa Cruz
Bridget Smith is a teacher and parent with ADHD.  Her focus on Outschool is supporting students with ADHD, other neurodiverse learners, and  students with learning differences.  She has taught over 1000 learners, including  neurodiverse teens, with ADHD and other learning differences here on Outschool.  She is a credentialed teacher who has taught preschoolers through adult learners.  Bridget is credentialed by the State of California to teach K-12 Students.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$90

for 6 classes
3x per week, 2 weeks
45 min

Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
3-12 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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