Percy Jackson’s Group for Young Demigods (Neurodivergent Learners Welcome!)
In this group, students will explore the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Since Mr. Riordan wrote the books to help his son view his own neurodiversity more positively, this series is ideal for neurodiverse students.
Ms. Brandi
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(6)
What's included
18 live meetings
13 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursAssessment
Prior to beginning the class, I ask that learners fill out an optional, but strongly encouraged, quiz to show what they know about Greek mythology. This quiz is NOT graded. Rather, it is so that I can focus any instruction or projects in that area around topics that most students don’t know already, and avoid spending extensive time working on topics with which students are already familiar. I will assess learner progress informally through their participation in group discussions. Students will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of fun projects to create to show what they love most about the story! (Please note: These projects are not graded. If you wish to have your student complete the class for a grade, however, I can supply a rubric and a grade.) For example, they can… --Write a newspaper article: This book is full of newspaper headlines about how mortals see Percy’s adventure. Students may choose to write one of these stories, or they may choose to write an article from a different perspective, like the Mount Olympus News or the Camp Half-Blood Times! --Design a building worthy of Athena: In the book, Annabeth, a major character, hopes to be an architect when she grows up. Students can design any of the places we read about. They can draw a picture or create a 3D model. The sky’s the limit! --Make a map: In this book, the characters travel a long way! Students may choose to make a road map showing where they went (and including the magical elements they encountered). --Create a playlist: One of the characters in this book (it would give away a great deal to say who) uses music to make magic, but he only knows how to play two songs! Students can create a playlist for this character, how the songs could help him, and when he should use them.Grading
I would be happy to provide a rubric and grades for parents who are explicitly interested in a grade, but I do not intend to grade students unless parents request it.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
For those who wish to enroll early, please enjoy this coupon for $20 off the cost of the class! You can use coupon code BRANDR9NPB20 until Nov 16, 2023 This is the first class in a series of classes exploring the richly detailed world created in Rick Riordan’s works. We will begin with the first book in the first series, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. During the course of this study, students will have the opportunity to discuss the books with other kids who love fantasy. They will also have the opportunity to choose from several projects to go along with the book, which they will be allowed to share with their classmates. In addition to having fun reading and talking to other kids, your children will also be learning lessons they can apply to outside studies. Riordan’s works expose children to important real-life concepts, such as the importance of understanding and accepting diversity. They also handle mythology in a fun, modern way that is accessible to kids. In every lesson, we will discuss new vocabulary and parts of the story where learners were confused to ensure learner comprehension. Then, we will discuss the story! Please note that this schedule is subject to change based upon learner needs. Please also note that I have added a section that meets three times a week and a section that meets only once a week. Different families, and different learners, have different needs. The schedule below applies to the sections that meet twice a week, but the sections that meet once or three times a week will proceed in the same order, just at a slower or faster pace. but the class will proceed approximately as follows: Week 1 Lesson 1: We’ll begin by getting to know each other. We’ll also discuss chapter 1 of the book. Lesson 2: We’ll begin to get a feel for Percy’s life and family as we read chapters 2 and 3. We'll also begin introducing projects students can choose from at the end of the unit. Week 2 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we’ll discuss chapters 4 and 5. This is where things really start to get exciting! We’ll find answers to some questions, but probably walk away with even more questions than we had at the start! Lesson 2: In this lesson, we’ll discuss chapter 6 of the book. This is a very exciting chapter, because many of the most magical elements of the story are introduced! Week 3 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we’ll continue to explore the magical world in which Percy finds himself as we discuss chapter 7. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we’ll discuss chapter 8, where we’ll find out some important information about Percy’s past. Week 4 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we’ll discuss chapter 9, which foreshadows some of the most important events in the rest of the story. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we’ll discuss chapter 10, a chapter filled with excitement and adventure! Week 5 Lesson 1: We will discuss chapter 11. In this chapter, Percy and his friends encounter the first monster they will need to defeat on their quest. We will talk about who this monster is, how Percy and his friends defeat her, and what we learn about the characters along the way. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we will discuss three very short chapters: chapter 12, chapter 13, and chapter 14. All three chapters contain significant insights into the characters on the quest, and this is a perfect lesson to work on character analysis. Week 6 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we will discuss chapter 15, in which Percy and his friends are given a side quest by a god. We'll discuss the surprising outcome and how it impacts Percy's larger quest to save the world. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we will discuss chapter 16. in this chapter, Percy and his friends find a place to stay that seems too good to be true...and it is. We'll discuss what students would have done in Percy's situation and why the Lotus Hotel and Casino is such a dangerous place to stay. Week 7 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we'll discuss chapter 17. Percy gets additional clues about who stole the master bolt and where it is hidden. We'll discuss the information we have so far and try to see if we can get closer to solving the mystery. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we'll discuss chapter 18. in this chapter, Percy and his friends go to the world of the dead. The imagery used in this chapter is fascinating, and we'll focus on breaking it down to form a better understanding of how the Greek land of the dead worked and how Riordan has re-imagined it to fit our modern world. Week 8 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we will read and discuss chapter 19, when Percy has to make a very difficult, life-altering decision. We will discuss what students would have done in Percy's shoes and why Percy made the choice he did. Lesson 2: In this lesson, we'll discuss chapter 20, when Percy finds out he has been betrayed. We'll discuss why this betrayal happened and how Percy deals with it. Week 9 Lesson 1: In this lesson, we'll discuss chapter 21, which is the final chapter of the book. We'll talk about the ending, what we did and didn't like, and what Riordan foreshadows for future books. Lesson 2: Students will have the opportunity to share their projects and celebrate what they have learned! Ideally, learners should have a basic, working understanding of Greek mythology before starting the class. By this, I mean they should perhaps know the names of some of the more prominent gods and goddesses, and perhaps some of the more common monsters. They absolutely do not need an in-depth knowledge of Greek mythology, and even this basic understanding is not absolutely necessary. I will assess students’ knowledge of myths at the start of the class, and if they need more information to fully appreciate the stories, I will adjust the class schedule accordingly and suggest sources for additional reading and exploration.
Other Details
Learning Needs
Percy Jacksonhas a strong message about celebrating diverse learners, and I'm committed to making this class do that, too. Students will have a variety of ways to show what they understand about the books and to engage with the materials.
Parental Guidance
The material in this book is suitable for most children in the recommended age range, but you know your child best. The book does mention characters fighting with and killing monsters, although these scenes are not gruesome or gory, as the monsters turn to dust when they are killed. It also contains scenes where characters are wounded, although, again, there is no graphic detail. There is one scene in the book which involves animals being mistreated, and the protagonists help care for the animals and eventually free them. There is also a very brief moment in the story in which Percy realizes that at some point his mother has been the victim of domestic abuse, although, again, this abuse is never described in the book. Finally, for a time, Percy believes his mother to have died and grieves for her loss, although, as it turns out, she is not dead, and they are reunited.
Supply List
Supplies will depend upon what project students wish to complete and how they wish to complete the project. I will give students adequate time to plan and prepare their projects.
Joined August, 2023
5.0
6reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I taught reading for fourteen years. I have a BS in elementary education. I've also been a fan of Rick Riordan's work since the first Percy Jackson books came out.Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly or $120 for 18 classes3x per week, 6 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
4-8 learners per class
