Curricular Set Background
What is the point of this Curricular Set and whom is it for?
AudienceA sixth grade class with a range of students who are mostly below grade level, with a few who are at grade level and a few who are well above grade level.
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PurposeThe purpose of the text set is to explore the theme of older generations influencing new generations.
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Essential QuestionWhat influence does greek mythology and literature have on American culture today?
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Engage students while teaching standards
Students will analyze various texts for ways that the influence of greek mythology and literature are displayed in the United States today. They will synthesize their understanding of the ideas in the text and construct a thesis answering the essential question, citing evidence from various texts.
Anchor TextPercy Jackson is an eleven year old demigod who is accused of stealing Zeus' master lightning bolt. He has to find the real thief and return the master bolt before there is a war between the gods that destroys the world. This book is at a 740 Lexile level, which is about a fourth grade reading level for sixth to eighth grade students. There are a lot of references to Greek names and myths.
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Supporting Texts
Pegasus: The Flame of OlympusEmily finds a wounded Pegasus on her apartment's rooftop garden. She journeys with him to stop the war with the Nirads before it destroys both of their worlds. This book is a 620 Lexile book, which is a 3rd grade reading level but is meant to appeal to students in 5th to 8th grade.
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Goddess Girls: Athena the WiseAthena learns how to be a goddess while navigating the challenges of high school social life at Mount Olympus Academy. This book is at a 690 Lexile level, which is about a fourth grade reading level. It is meant to appeal to sixth to eighth grade students.
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The Eternal CityLaura Martin is on a class trip in Rome when statues, artwork and things come to life unveiling a war between the gods and goddesses that she must help resolve before they destroy the world. This book is at a 870 Lexile level, which is a sixth grade reading level. It is meant to appeal to seventh to tenth grade students.
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This Ted Ed video explains the ancient origins of the olympics.
Read-Aloud Plays: The Iliad, the Odyssey and the AeneidThese plays are written for fifth graders and up. These three plays can help students engage with the material in a hands-on way, and help kinesthetic and visual learners understand other Greek literature and analyse how these stories have influenced American culture. |
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek MythsThis book is a compilation of the major Greek Myths. This book is at a 1070 Lexile level, which is about a fifth or sixth grade reading level. It is meant to appeal to fifth to ninth grade students. |
Common Lit: Ancient GreeceThis link goes to a website that has ten informational articles for students reading at a 7th to 10th grade level. Students who are reading above grade level, can choose from topics such as politics, war, society, philosophy, friendship and the olympic games. These texts are paired with related texts that can help students make connections. |
How the United States Was Modeled on Ancient Greek Architecture
This webpage has seven different photos of U.S. buildings, or details in their buildings, that were influenced by the ancient greeks. It also has a short explanation of the motivation for incorporating the ancient greek into American buildings. |
8 Greek Influences and Contributions to Today's SocietyThis informative text shares ways that greek culture has influenced the United States. It includes photos and explanations for eight areas of the U.S. government that are integral to our country or that were integral at one point.
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