Instructional Sequence
Unit Name:
Making A Difference – Unit 2
Story:
5
Number of days:
5-7
Text(s):
Perseus and Medusa Video
Written Communication
Objectives:
Write an opinion on Perseus and what the reader felt was his strongest character trait.
Writing Standards:
W 1.1 Write an opinion piece that states an opinion, supplies a reason for the opinion, and provides some sense of closure.
Task
Purpose
Audience
Prewrite to organize ideas
Class
Gather evidence to use in the opinion piece
Self
Write an opinion piece about “Perseus and
Medusa” supporting the opinion with reasons.
Teacher/Classmates
Show an understanding of the character trait
and how it applies to Perseus
School bulletin board
Create a class word web of possible character
traits
Choose a trait to write about, watch the video
and find evidence showing this trait while
taking notes.
Write opinion of Perseus using the evidence to
support opinion.
Culminating Activity:
Create a “Help Wanted” ad, listing the chosen
character trait with qualifications of the
applicant. (Bring in examples from internet and
classified ads)
Oral Communication
Objectives:
Speaking and Listening Standards:
Comprehension and Collaborative - activities/structures:
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas – activities/structures:
Academic Language:
Reading
Objectives:
Determine the meaning of words and phrases including those that allude to mythological characters.
Reading Standards:
RL 4.4
Text Dependent Questions
Question
Answer
Identify the hero and the villain in this myth. Use evidence from the
Perseus
video to support your answer.
What is the quest in the myth and how do we know?
Perseus’s quest is to kill Medusa. He brings the head of Medusa to the
king in exchange for a place in the castle.
What caused Perseus to nearly die? Why do you think this happened?
As Perseus went along his quest he went through many challenges in
defeating Medusa.
What was the magical object or weapon he used to achieve his goal?
The water nymphs gave him the cap of invisibility to help him escape
How do you think the outcome would have changed if he did not have
unseen by Medusa’s gorgon sisters and a magical bag to carry Medusa’s
it?
head in once he had chopped it off, for Medusa’s eyes kept their power
to turn anyone to stone even after she was dead so he had to keep it
hidden. Hermes gave Perseus a special curved sword that could never
be broken and a pair of winged sandals that would enable him to fly.
What is the meaning of the phrase, “lost beyond all hope?” Why does
The meaning of the phrase “lost beyond all hope” means that the task of
the author choose to use this figure of speech instead of just saying he
finding Medusa was hopeless. The author added beyond all hope to
was lost?
show the viewer that although the goal seemed impossible, Perseus
could reach this goal.
Scaffolds
Intro to lesson
Resources
1. Read aloud Midas Touch (Teacher’s Read Aloud)
2. Show images of mythological characters.
3. Discuss origins and meanings of idioms and similes (see list on
Midas touch, hair like Medusa, Herculean strength, Achilles heel,
chaotic, Rome wasn’t built in a day, it’s all Greek to me, winged sandals,
resources column) that are used in many myths.
4. Use idioms in sentences with partners.
5. Read myth (see web-link)
http://www.karascope.com/_samplefiles/ng_literacy_y3_sample.pdf