U5-W3
The Lightning Thief
Defending the Claim for the Unsung Hero
Connection:
In the previous lessons, we've personally defined the "Unsung Hero" (and
distinguished its difference from the "hero"). With that, we began selecting the
ONE "Unsung Hero" from The Lightning Thief that contributed to the success of
Percy Jackson's journey---the hero of the story, and is worthy of the respect and
praise he/she/whatever is deserving of receiving.
Today, it's time to defend the claim (thesis statement) with concrete evidence
that directly and/or indirectly supports the unsung hero's deservingness.
Thus, we continue our argumentative essay contest to prove that ONE character
is more fitting than another of the title of the Unsung Hero, and additionally
possibly proving it BETTER than a classmate.
QUICK ASSESSMENT: Multiple Choice...
Which drawn conclusion best aligns the text evidence to the
theme of friendship?
TBE: Just when I'd started to feel accepted, to feel I'd had a
home in cabin eleven and I might be a normal kid—or as
normal as you can be when you're a half-blood—I'd been
separated out as if I had some rare disease.
A. Being a demi-god is tough; Percy seems doomed to live
a lonely life without the joy of “real” friendships.
B. Percy is not a normal kid.
C. Being a half-blood is like having a rare disease.
DO NOW &
STARBUCKS
Analyze CBS
correspondent, Steve
Hartman’s view on the
meaning of a “hero”.
Do you agree or
disagree with his view?
Use details from The
Lightning Thief to
defend your position.
U5-W3
ML: Close Readers evaluate & select scenes
that BEST defends the argument for the
importance of the unsung hero.
W.6.1; W.6.1b; W.6.1c; W.6.9;
RL.6.3; RL.6.1
Model...
Focus on the EVIDENCE used
and...
HOW it explains its relevance
and...
CITE the specific page if directly
quoting or if referencing scenes
indirectly, use specific
transitions.
Focus Statement: (Based on Claim & Reason#1)
TBE: “I felt so relieved, I wanted to cry, though I didn't think
that would be very heroic. Grover was the only friend I'd
ever had for longer than a few months. I wasn't sure what
good a satyr could do against the forces of the dead, but I felt
better knowing he'd be with me.” (9)
Analysis: Percy loves Grover for the kind of “person” he is.
He doesn't care that Grover isn't the most ferocious
protector on the planet; Percy just wants a great friend along
for the ride. Rather than worry about status and about
belonging to the right group of friends, Percy cares more
about being with people he truly likes.
Model...
Focus on the
EVIDENCE used and...
HOW it explains its
relevance and...
CITE the specific page
if directly quoting or if
referencing scenes
indirectly, use specific
transitions.
Summary:
Defending the "claim" is finding the BEST supportive
scenes that PROVE the necessity of the unsung hero.
Next Steps: (refer to chart)
Defend the CLAIM for the argumentative essay contest: The
"Unsung Hero" of The Lightning Thief.
1. IDENTIFY 3 specific scenes/moments PER REASON
2. EXPLAIN the relevance of that scene/moment
3. TRANSITION properly & effectively from TBE to
EXPLANATION