1. Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 8 Exploring Allusions to Myths in
The Lightning Thief
Close Reading Part 1
Of “Prometheus”

2. Materials The Lightning Thief
Tickets—Pieces of paper large enough to write one word (3 per group)
Prometheus Allusion Vocabulary Questions
Reading Closely: Guiding Questions Handout (from lesson 2)
Reading Closely: Questioning Texts
“Prometheus”
Homework: Purpose for Reading Chapter 17
Evidence flags (4 per student)

3. Learning Targets
I can explore how the allusion to the myth of Prometheus improves my understanding of The Lightning Thief.
I can explain how key vocabulary adds to meaning in an excerpt of The Lightning Thief.
I can get the gist of the myth of Prometheus.

4. Engaging the Reader Sharing Unfamiliar Vocabulary
To begin our lesson today, we will start by focusing on unfamiliar vocabulary.
As a group, skim through the words you each listed as unfamiliar words from chapter 16.
Pick three words to record on the tickets I have given your group.
Also include the page number and the sentence from the novel that the word can be found in.
Choose three words to focus on.

5. Engaging the Reader Sharing Unfamiliar Vocabulary
Unfamiliar Words:
Read from the sentence around the word to help students understand the meaning from the context. Invite students to help determine the meaning of the words.

6. Engaging the Reader pages 155-156
Let’s revisit the first learning target.
I can explore how the allusion to the myth of Prometheus improves my understanding of The Lightning Thief.
Think-Pair-Share
What is an allusion?
What are some of the allusions you found for homework?

7. Engaging the Reader
You will be focusing on an allusion from pages today.
Follow along in your novels as I read aloud. We will begin on page 155 with, “So what was it like…” and we will end on page 156 with, “…and Western civilization was born.”

8. Engaging the Reader
Which characters from Greek mythology are discussed in this excerpt?
What do you find out about Prometheus in this excerpt?

9. Looking Closely at Vocabulary in the Prometheus Allusion
Our second learning target for today was…
I can explain how key vocabulary adds to meaning in the excerpt of The Lightning Thief.
You will be looking closely at vocabulary in the excerpt y0u just read to determine how it adds to meaning.
Revelation—the sudden realization of something previously unknown
Mortality—the condition of being mortal, or human, and able to die
Quenched—to put out

10. Looking Closely at Vocabulary
Turn to the Prometheus Allusion Vocabulary Questions
Ask each question and check for understaning.

11. Close Read Part 1 of “Prometheus” Getting the Gist
Now that you have been introduced to the myth of Prometheus through this allusion, you are going to read the myth to find out the full story.
As always, you will read the text more than once.
Today you will be reading for gist.

12. Close Read Part 1 of “Prometheus” Getting the Gist
Remember our third learning target said,
I can get the gist of the myth of Prometheus.
What is the gist?
What do we do when we are reading for gist?
Why are we continuing to work on this skill?
The general meaning or purpose of a text. Getting the gist means reading through and getting an initial sense of the text and recording it in the margin.

14. Close Read Getting the Gist of “Prometheus”
Remember that in a previous lesson, you saw the first box of this chart, “Approaching the Text.”
In this lesson, we are going to study the next row of the chart, “Questioning Texts.”

15. Highlight these questions as we go along.
This chart zooms in on one row of the main handout, much like the previous chart did.
Study the questions. Which questions do you think will help guide our close reading so we can get the gist of “Prometheus”?
Highlight these questions as we go along.
Guide students toward all the topic, information, and idea questions.

16. “Prometheus”
Remember these questions as we read the myth of Prometheus.
Follow along as I read the myth aloud.

17. “Prometheus”

18. “Prometheus”

19. “Prometheus”
After listening to a first read, what are the main ideas you understand about the myth of Prometheus so far?
How did you get the gist of texts in Unit 1?
Reread paragraph 1 for gist.
What is the gist of this paragraph? What is it mostly about?
Now, circle any unfamiliar words in paragraph 1.
Prometheus stole fire and gave it to people on Earth even though Zeus said no.

20. “Prometheus”
Go back to the myth of Prometheus and annotate the text for gist.
Remember to circle any unfamiliar words you encounter.
You will have a few moments once everyone is finished to discuss your gist statements with a partner.

21. “Prometheus”
What unfamiliar vocabulary words did you encounter in each paragraph?
In vain
Defied
Wrath
Downfall

22. Reflecting on the learning targets
Our first learning target was…
I can explain how the allusion to the myth of Prometheus improves my understanding of The Lightning Thief.
What is an allusion?
How did the allusion to Prometheus, and reading the myth of Prometheus, improve your understanding of the novel?
How do you feel about your ability to meet this learning target?

23. HOMEWORK