1. Determining Theme Reading Myths in Expert Groups
Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 12
Determining Theme
Reading Myths in
Expert Groups

2. Connecting Themes in Myths and The Lightning Thief: Introducing End of Unit Assessment Prompt
In our last lesson, you completed the mid unit assessment, which was an analytical essay.
You will get your assessments back with feedback in a few days, once everyone has turned in their essays and I have had time to score them with our grading rubric.

3. Connecting Themes in Myths and The Lightning Thief: Introducing End of Unit Assessment Prompt
In this half of unit 2, you will be working in expert groups.
Each group will be given a myth to read and discuss.
You are going to identify a theme in your expert group myths and consider how that same theme is communicated in The Lightning Thief.
You will also begin to think about the life lessons we can learn from myths.

4. End of Unit 2 Assessment Prompt
In the next few lessons, you will be learning more about why author Rick Riordan alluded to various Greek myths in The Lightning Thief and how the themes of myths are connected to themes in the novel.
This will give you a deeper understanding of The Lightning Thief.

5. End of Unit 2 Assessment Prompt
The prompt found in lesson 12 will be your assessment at the end of Unit 2.

6. End of Unit 2 Assessment Prompt
Think-Pair-Share
What do you notice about this prompt?
What do you wonder about this prompt?

7. Learning Targets I can get the gist of my expert group myth.
I can collect details from my expert group myth to determine a theme.
I can identify the criteria for strong analytical writing based on Row 1 of the NYS Writing Rubric.
What are the themes of a myth? How can we work out what the themes are and which one is most significant?
What is a rubric? What do we use rubrics for?
A theme is an idea repeated throughout the text to communicate a message. We can work out what the themes are by reading for details about the elements of mythology and identifying elements that run throughout the myth to communicate a message.
A rubric is a chart that helps us to see what we need to do to do something well. We can use it to self-assess our work, and our teachers can use it to score our assessments.

8. Initial Read: Expert Group Myths, Getting the Gist, and Determining Key Vocabulary
In the next couple of lessons, until you receive feedback from your essays, you will spend time reading a new myth closely to analyze the myth and think about how its themes connect to The Lightning Thief.
In this lesson, you are going to do a first draft read of a new myth in your groups.

9. Initial Read: Expert Group Myths, Getting the Gist, and Determining Key Vocabulary
Each group has been assigned an expert myth.
As always, you will read the text more than once.
Today you are just going to get the gist of your myth.
Turn to Reading Closely: Questioning Texts from lesson 8.

11. Reading Closely: Questioning Texts
Focus on the questions from the topic, information, and ideas section.
These are the questions you should be asking yourself as your read your expert group myth.
When you are done with your initial read, you will have time to discuss these questions with your group.

12. Initial Read: Expert Group Myth
Directions:
Independently, read your expert group myth.
Think about the questions that we just discussed as you read.
Once everyone is done, you will discuss a few questions with your group.

13. Initial Read: Expert Group Myth
Questions to discuss with your group
What is the text mainly about?
What information or ideas does the text present?
What details stand out to you as you read?

14. Initial Read: Expert Group Myth
Think back to lesson 6 when you learned that elements of mythology could also lead themes in a myth.
Some good elements of mythology to focus on when looking for the theme of a text are “Tension Between Opposing Forces in the Universe,” “A Struggle for Power,” “Explanation of the Origins of Life and the Natural World,” and “Fate and Prophecy.”
These elements, which could lead to themes, are posted on the charts around the room.

15. Carousel: What are the themes in the expert group myths?
You will now have an opportunity to think about elements of mythology in your expert myth.

16. Carousel: What are the themes in the expert group myths
Carousel: What are the themes in the expert group myths? (2 minutes per chart)
Directions:
As a group, you will travel to each chart with your expert myth.
At the chart discuss, “Does this element of mythology help me to think of a theme in my expert group myth?”
Discuss what events in your expert myth help you to think about this element and a theme.
Example: This could be a theme of our myth because _________________________.
On a sticky note, write the name of your myth and a possible theme and attach it to the chart.

17. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Turn to the NYS Writing Rubric

20. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Remember that this is rubric I will be using to grade your mid-unit assessments.
Focus on the CRITERIA column.
I will give you about 2 minutes to look over the rubric.
Think-Pair-Share
What do you notice?
What do you wonder?

21. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Turn to the NYS Writing Rubric Row 1

23. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
This is only the first row of the rubric.
It focuses on the introduction of your writing.
Follow along silently as I read the criteria box.
Think-Pair-Share
Are there any words you don’t recognize that you think you might need to know to figure out what this criteria means?

24. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Write our paraphrase in the margin next to the criteria box.
You should read across the rubric for different levels of quality within criteria.
You read down the rubric for different criteria.
Column 3 would be a GOOD response. (Label on your rubric)
Column 4 would be a GREAT response. (Label on your rubric)
How clear the information is to support the claim.

26. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Focus on row 1, column 3, the GOOD column.
Read along silently as I read aloud.
Think-Pair-Share
Are there any words that you don’t recognize that you think you might need to know to figure out what the text means?

27. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Think-Pair-Share
What is a topic?
What does it mean by “that follows from the task and purpose”?
So now that you know what the key academic vocabulary means, how would you paraphrase it?
The topic is introduced in a way that makes sense using the task and purpose.

28. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
Think-Pair-Share
What is different about the good and great columns?
What extra do you have to do to get a GREAT?
What are the key words that make the difference between a literary essay being good and being great.
To be great, it has to be compelling and logical.
Compelling, logically, and insightful

29. Introducing the NYS Writing Rubric and Focusing on Row 1
What does logically mean?
What does insightful mean?
What does sight mean? So what do you think insightful might mean?
Highlight or circle these words on your rubric and add any new vocabulary to your word catcher.

30. Mix and Mingle: Sharing Themes of Expert Group Myths
To wrap up our lesson, you will share your ideas for your expert group myth.
During Mix and Mingle, you should share your ideas with people who have the same expert group myth that you do, as well as people who are studying a different myth.

31. HOMEWORK
Read chapter 19
Homework: Purpose for reading question.