I've mentioned before how much I love the Percy Jackson series. There are 5 in the original series, and there are 2 so far in the extended series. The most recent book is The Son of Neptune.
I love the series because they are imaginative, adventurous, and educational. I seriously missed out on 2 night of sleep because I had to finish the book!
The main character, Percy Jackson, finds out that he is the son of Poseidon, who is the Greek god of the sea. It's though Percy's adventures with his friends from Camp Half Blood that the reader is introduced to Greek mythology and all it's sorted stories.
Now, I know what you're thinking... "But the book title is The Son of Neptune. And Neptune was a Roman god!"
How right you are! The extended series is about another Camp that is for the Roman half- bloods. Fascinating, right?
You might remember from {THIS} post that we studied the Roman gods when we studied space. In fact, we learned the stories behind all the planets on our Solar System, and created a Family Tree of the Roman gods.
Well, imagine my students' surprise when we were walking through the halls on the way to the bathroom and we see this on a 5th grade door!
As it turns out, Ms. Guardiani's class was reading the Percy Jackson series, and learning about Greek mythology at the same time! Their door was covered in the different Camp Half- Blood houses, and each student got to choose which house he/ she would want to join.
Now my students refused to leave the door alone and wanted to have an entire conversation in the hallway about the different gods and goddesses that they remembered. I, on the other hand, was hungry and wanted my students to hurry so we could go to lunch.
This was my solution- I asked Ms. G if she had 1 or 2 responsible students who would be able to teach my students about the Greek gods on their door. This way my students would have their curiosity appeased, 5th grade would get to show off what they've been learning, and everyone would have a lesson in across-level cooperation. Score!
So, without further ado.... Here are two wonderful 5th graders from Ms. Guardiani's class to tell you about what they've been learning about Greek mythology! (according to Percy Jackson!)
I also went to Wikipedia for the 'real' definition.
In Greek religion and mythology, Athena or Athene, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.
The god of music, healing, plague, prophecies, poetry, and archery; associated with light, truth and the sun. He is Artemis' twin brother and Hermes' elder brother, and son of Zeus and Leto.
And last, but not least, the Head-honcho of the gods... Zeus.
The king of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and fate. He is the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea, whom he overthrew after Cronus swallowed his brothers and sisters and he is brother-husband to Hera.
This is awesome! I can't wait to show my class what you have done on your blog! It was a blast teaching your kids. Greek mythology is so interesting and it's awesome that you have the kids at such a young age interested! A big WHOOT WHOOT to you!
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