Smittie And The Lightning Thief

Chapter 3 Audio

2011-03-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Chapter 3 - Grover Unexpectantly Loses His Pants

2011-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

As before, prior to reading Chapter 3, complete a short entry from the following 3 questions. This time respond to 2 of the options.

1. “The best people get the worst luck.” Do you agree? Can you think of a
time when something terrible happened to a good person? Conversely, do
bad people have good things happen to them?

2. What is the place that you feel most at ease – a place you’d like to be more
than anywhere else?

3. Does your family have a favorite or traditional place to spend vacations?
If so, describe it. If not, where would you most like to take a vacation if
money was no object?

Part 2:

Cut and paste the following questions to your blog to answer while we read Chapter 3.

1. Why does Percy leave Grover at the bus station? What would you have done in
his place?

2. Why doesn’t Percy tell his mom the truth about Mrs. Dodds and the ladies at the
fruit stand?

3. How does Percy get even with Gabe as they’re loading up the Camaro?

4. Why is Montauk special to Percy’s mom?

5. Why does Percy’s mom eat blue food, and why does Percy love this about her?

6. What knew information does Percy learn about his dad as he and his mother are
roasting marshmallows?

7. Describe Percy’s dream. What do you think it means?

8. How does the title of the chapter, “Grover Unexpectedly Loses His Pants,” come
true?

Chapter 2 - Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death (While We Read)

2011-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Part 1
Ready for chapter 2? After the exciting climax to chapter 1, I know you have anticipated the next scene with bated breath.

While following along with the reading, you can answer the following questions.

1. Why does Percy think the whole school is playing a trick on him?
2. Why does Percy decide to study for the Latin exam even though he’s given up on
his other subjects?
3. What leads Percy to believe that Grover and Mr. Brunner think he’s in danger?
4. After the Latin test, what do you think Mr. Brunner was trying to say to Percy?
Why does Percy react angrily to Mr. Brunner’s words?
5. How does Percy say he’s different than the other kids at Yancy Academy?
6. Why does Percy tell Grover he’s a really bad liar?
7. What responsibility does Grover claim to have, and why does this strike Percy as
strange?
8. How do Percy and Grover end up on the side of the highway?
9. How does Grover react when Percy tells him about the yarn-cutting?
10. What does Percy think the yarn-cutting means? Does Grover seem to agree or
not?

Remember you can cut and paste the question directly into your new post. Title your entry: Chapter 2 questions to ponder.

The Lightning Thief Introduction (Assignment #1)

2011-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my The Lightning Thief Blog. Here we will engage in an inquiry and discussion lesson covering the novel by Rick Riordan. This blog will be your hub for all assignments and discussion board questions. Please make sure you follow this blog to have the rss feeds come directly into your dashboard.

Before you begin, let's take a look at some background knowledge on the creation of the Percy Jackson Series. Click the following link: Rick Riordan Interview

So, let's get started with an introductory activity:

Create your first post by responding to 4 of the 7 following prompts. Choose any 4 you like but only make one entry to answer all 4 questions. Make sure that you retype the question prior to answering; include the question number and then make sure there is a space between the question and your response.

Here are the questions:

1. Have you ever been treated unfairly by a teacher (or parent, or other adult)?
Describe the circumstances and why you considered the treatment unfair.

2. What do you know about learning disabilities such as ADHD or dyslexia? Do you
know anyone who has a learning disability? Do you think a person with a learning
disability should receive more time to complete tests or less homework than a
person without a learning disability? Explain your position.

3. In Ancient times, the Greeks had gods for many important forces in their lives --
the sea, thunderstorms, farming, music, medicine, poetry, archery, etc. Why do
you think they imagined many different gods rather than just one? Would this
make life more confusing or less confusing?

4. Young children often imagine that their parents aren’t really their parents. What
would it be like if you suddenly found out that you had a “real” father or mother
you never knew about? What if this person was extremely rich and powerful –
would you accept them as a parent?

5. Do you believe in anything that science can’t prove -- such as magic, or ghosts, or
creatures like the Loch Ness monster? Why or why not?

6. Have you ever been to summer camp? If so, describe what you did or did not like
about it. If not, imagine and describe what you think a typical summer camp
would be like – any impressions from television or movies?

7. You have been granted one magical item of your choice. What would this item be,
and what power would it have? Explain your choice.

Happy Blogging

I'm Related to Who? (Introduction Assignment #2)

2011-02-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

So, The Lightning Thief talks about Greek Mythology so we will discuss some of the mythical gods associated with the history. However, some of the gods frequently had children with mortals. What if you were the child of a god or goddess? Well that would be interesting... So, Research which god or goddess they would most like to be related to. For ideas,
visit the web site

http://www.mythweb.com

Create a blog entry that list three (3) possible choices of who your god or goddess parent might be and explain why you feel you are related to them.

This does not have to be a long post, just make sure you become familiar with at least three (3) of the gods or goddesses we will cover in our novel study.

Title your post: I'm Related To...

Happy Blogging!

Chapter 1 - I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher (Assignment #3)

2011-02-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

I know you are extremely excited to get started reading The Lightning Thief, you have show great anticipation in your prior assignment. However, before we get started with chapter 1, let us begin with a Pre-Chapter Post warm-up. Each pre-chapter post is expected to only be a short post; a few sentences, but clear and concise enough to answer the question thoroughly. Please, no more than 1 paragraph unless otherwise noted. So, let's get into the first post.

Choose one(1) of the following to create a new entry:

a. Brainstorm as many school field trips as you can remember. What’s the
best (or worst) experience you’ve ever had on a school field trip?

b. Have you ever learned something in school you were absolutely sure you
would never use in your life? Explain.

After completing your entry, please get with a partner within your group to complete the following assignment. You do not have to submit a post for this activity.

2. Take a virtual field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.
(http://www.metmuseum.org/home.asp). Go to “Collection” and choose “Greek
and Roman Art” from the drop down menu. Have students explore the collection and fill out the following information for at least five different objects:

Art Object Analysis

What kind of object is it?

What is it made out of?

Does it have a use, other than art? If so, what?

When was it created?

Where is it from?

Describe what it looks like:

Does it have illustrations from the Greek myths? If so, what?

Once you finish this portion you will be ready to begin chapter 1. Therefore, copy and paste the following questions to a new post, title it: As I read Chapter 1

1. What kind of school is Yancy Academy ?
2. What bad experiences has Percy had on past field trips?
3. Why can’t Percy get back at Nancy when she starts teasing Grover on the bus?
4. Why doesn’t Percy get along with Mrs. Dodds?
5. When do you first suspect that something may be unusual/supernatural about Mrs.
Dodds?
6. In the story about the gods and titans, who was Kronos and what happened to him
after the gods defeated him?
7. Why does Percy get angry at Mr. Brunner? How would you have felt in his
position?
8. What do you learn about Percy’s home life as he’s watching the taxis on Fifth
Avenue?
9. How does Percy get in trouble with Mrs. Dodds? Do you think it’s his fault?
10. How have things changed when Percy returns to the front steps of the museum?

As we read, you may complete this entry by answering the questions. Please be sure to use the text to validate your response.

Happy Blogging!

Chapter 19 - We Find Out The Truth Sort Of

2010-02-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Part 1

Oh my, the Underworld. For this chapter take some time to think about what it would be like to visit the so called underworld. Write a brief post about your thoughts about having to visit such a place. Do you think such a place could actually exist? Would you be afraid? (Just a few things to think about as you write)Title this post: Chapter 19 Anticipatory blog

Part 2

Chapter 19 - We Find Out The Truth, Sort Of

Questions to answer as you Read:

1.What does the Field of Asphodel look like?

2.What do you have to do to enter the Isles of the Blest?

3.How do Grover, Percy and Annabeth end up at the pit of Tartarus?

4.How is Hades’ aura different than Ares? How does Percy feel when he’s in Hades’ presence?

5.Describe the guards at Hades’ palace.

6.What sort of problems does Hades complain about?

7.Why was Percy’s backpack getting heavy?

8.What terrible choice faces Percy when he decides to use the pearls? Would you have made the same choice he does? Why or why not?

9.How do Annabeth and Grover prove themselves to be real friends to Percy?

10.What is the power of the pearls?

Follow-up Activity:

1.A Map of the Underworld.
Draw your own map of the Underworld, based on the description in the book. Then compare yours to Grover’s map of the Underworld on the author’s website: http://www.rickriordan.com/Underworld_map.htm.

Chapter 18 - Annabeth Does Obedience School

2010-02-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18

Annabeth Does Obedience School

Reading Questions

1.Why does the DOA security guard get annoyed with Percy?

2.How does Charon realize Percy and his friends are not really dead?

3.How does Percy finally convince Charon to take them into the elevator?

4.What does the River Styx look like? Why does it look this way?

5.Describe the entrance to the Underworld.

6.If you were standing in that line, would you rather choose EZ Death and go straight to Asphodel, or risk being judged for your actions on earth?

7.What is Percy’s plan to get past Cerberus? Why doesn’t it work?

8.How does Annabeth save them? Why is she able to do this?

9.What does Percy realize about monsters at the end of the chapter?

10.Do you feel sorry for Cerberus? Would you have risked playing fetch with him, if you were Annabeth?

Chapter 17 - We Shop For Waterbeds

2010-02-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

We are almost there, Chapter 17 is an interesting chapter to provides Percy the key he needs to the underworld. So let's get right to it. There is not Anticipatory writing activity for this chapter,just the questions as you participate in the live blogging or audio listening. Here are the questions:

As You Read:

1.How does Annabeth pay for the trip to Los Angeles?

2.Annabeth seems worried when they discuss the voice from the pit. Percy thinks she has an idea what it might be. Do you have any guesses?

3.Who is the spirit in the sea? What does she give to Percy?

4.Why is Annabeth uneasy about the gifts Percy received?

5.According to Percy, how is L.A. different from New York?

6.Why doesn’t Riptide work on the kids who jump Percy in the alley?

7.What does Crusty do to his customers?

8.Why can’t Percy simply fight Crusty?

9.How does Percy trick the giant?

10.How does Percy find the address for the Underworld?

The Lightning Thief Chapter 17 - We Shop For Waterbeds

After the Reading:

You watched a tutorial video on using Pages. Using what you learned, make an Advertisement for Crusty’s Waterbed Palace. Crusty has hired you to advertise his fabulous waterbeds. Make a magazine ad for him. How would you attract customers? What special deals would you promise? Save your completed project on your flashdrive and have it ready for posting on Monday.

Have fun!

chapter 13 - I Plunge to My Death

2010-01-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

Before We Read

Here we are, on our way to Los Angeles to face Hades and the underworld. However, I'm sure there are a few places to stop in between. So, as we look at chapter 13, please consider the following writing prompts to complete prior to reading the next chapter:

1. Many people have phobias. Fear of heights is one of the most common. Are you afraid of high places, or do you know anyone who is? What about other phobias – do you have any?

2. In this chapter, Annabeth says she wants to be an architect and build a monument that will last a thousand years. If you could be famous, what would you like to be remembered for?

Please respond to only one(1) writing prompt and submit as a new post. Title the entry: Chapter 13 Anticipatory Writing response # (1 or 2, whichever you choose)

The Lightning Thief - Chapter 13: I Plunge to My Death

While We Read

Cut and paste the following questions into a new post Titled: Chapter 13 Questions and answer them as we go along in the reading. This is a very exciting chapter, so you may want to pay close attention.

1. Why does Percy try to keep a low profile on the train?

2. What new information does Annabeth tell us about her father in this chapter?

3. Annabeth says a couple of unexpected friends took care of her when she ran away from home. Any guesses who these might be? Why?

4. Why does Percy laugh when Annabeth tells him what she wants to be?

5. What magic item does Hades have? What are its powers?

6. Describe the Chimera.

7. Echidna says Percy should feel honored to be killed by her. Why?

8. What is Percy’s “fatal mistake” while battling the Chimera?

9. Why does Percy decide he has no choice but to jump? What would you have done in his place?

10. How would the battle have been different if there were no mortal spectators in the Arch?

Chapter 10 CoverItLive - I Ruin A Perfectly Good Bus

2010-01-21T06:06:00.000-08:00

The Lightning Thief - Chapter 10 I Ruin A Perfectly Good Bus

Chapter 10 - I Ruin a Perfectly Good Bus

2010-01-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Before you get started on reading about Percy's quest, let's stop for a moment and do some writing. Create a blog entry for both, yes I said both writing prompts.

1. Many of the campers at Camp Half-Blood have their own magic item. Clarisse has an electric spear. Annabeth has a baseball cap that turns her invisible. What magic item would make sense for Percy, as the son of the Sea God? Design your own magic item.

2. Percy gets to try his hand at driving a bus in this chapter. Defend or attack this proposition: “The national driving age should be lowered to 13.” Can you think of any reasons that might actually convince Congress to pass such a law?

Remember these are short responses, but be clear and visual, remembering your audience as you write. Please put both response in one (1) post. Title your post: Chapter 10 Writing Prompt

Next, answer the following questions as we read. Go ahead and copy and paste the questions into your blog, but make sure you use a new post and not the entry with for the writing post. Please keep them separate. Here are the questions:

1. Who is Argus and why can he never be surprised?
2. What gift does Luke give to Percy? Why can’t Percy use them?
3. What special properties does Riptide have?
4. What is Mist?
5. What are some of the reasons Annabeth gives for why Poseidon and Athena don’t get along?
6. According to Grover, why did Percy’s mom marry Gabe?
7. Percy says he’s not going on the quest to retrieve the lightning bolt. What’s his real reason for going?
8. How does Percy sneak to the front of the bus?
9. Why doesn’t Percy leave the bus when he has the chance?
10. How do Percy, Grover and Annabeth lose their luggage?

Post #3

Follow-up Activities

After reading chapter 10, let's try these activities to bring some connection to what Percy and crew are going through.

1. Draw your own Fury. The pictures below are how ancient greeks viewed the furies. Take a look and then draw your own updated version. Use a plain white sheet of paper, apply color and scan to your flash drive. Then upload your picture on your blog post.

2. Olympian Travel Agency. Percy Jackson has ten days to from New York to Los Angeles and back again, and he can’t use air travel. Is this possible? Try to use internet sources to “book” and trip for Percy and his friends using buses or trains. How much would the trip cost? How long would it take? Try these sources to start:

www.amtrak.com (for trains)
www.greyhound.com (for busses)

This assignment will be another separate post. Title your post: After Reading Chapter 10

Happy Blogging!

Chapter 8 - 9

2010-01-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry that my project has gotten in the way, but I'm ready to get back to our blog over the The Lightning Thief. I'm so impressed with eagerness to read everyday. So, let's see what you have learned from the book thus far.

Here are the questions from chapter 8 and chapter 9

Chapter 8

1.Why are the counselors having a hard time deciding who Percy’s Olympian parent is?
2.How does Percy surprise everyone during his first sword class? How do you think he was able to do this?
3.According to Grover, why did the “Big Three” gods swear never to have any more children?
4.Why does the story about Thalia make Percy feel “hollow and guilty”?
5.In capture-the-flag, why does Percy feel like he’s being left out of the action?
6.How does Percy manage to overcome the kids from Ares’s cabin?
7.What was Annabeth’s plan to win the flag?
8.Why does Annabeth make Percy stand in the water?
9.What does Chiron say about how the hellhound got into camp?
10.When you find out Percy’s true identity, are you surprised or did you see it coming? What clues were given earlier in the book?

Chapter 9

1.Why does Percy feel miserable once he gets his own cabin?
2.Based on the newspaper article Percy finds under his door, what is happening in the real world while Percy is in camp?
3.What is the master bolt?
4.Why does Zeus think Percy stole the bolt?
5.Why can’t the gods retrieve the bolt themselves?
6.What bothers Percy about the Oracle’s prophecy?
7.According to Chiron, what evidence suggests that Hades stole the lightning bolt?
8.Why does Percy have to travel overland?
9.What will happen on the summer solstice if the lightning bolt is not returned?
10.What is unusual about the storm that moves in over camp?

Create a blog entry answering all the questions above.

Have fun!

So, What Do You Think So Far?

2010-01-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

At This point we are about a 1/3 of the way through the book. So, in this assignment, you will create a blog entry that will convey your feelings about what we've read thus far. In your post, consider the following questions:

1. How anxious do you get when you know you are not allowed to read further into the book?
2. Who/what are your favorite characters so far?
3. What is your favorite place/scene visited in the chapters that we have read?
4. Why do you like or dislike this novel?
5. Have you looked further into some of the Greek Mythology? If so, at what?

These are just a few prompts to include in your entry. Feel free to add more in order for your audience to get a good feeling of your thoughts about chapters 1 -7.

Happy Blogging!

What To Do While I'm Gone

2010-01-13T05:31:00.000-08:00

Here are today's assignments:

Spelling: you will create a Wordle of your spelling words. It's really easy. Just go to http://www.wordle.net/create and begin typing your words in the box. Then hit create. You will then take a picture of your creation and post it to your blog. You can either copy and paste or take a screen shot by pressing "control+apple+4 and scrolling over the desired image and it will take a picture and place it on your desktop.

Math: take the measurement quiz on smittiekids.com

Social Studies/Writing: Use your Neoboards to finish the revisions to your Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dream response.

Social Studies: The U.S. Presidents - Open up the student server and look in the drop box for instructions.

Science: 1. Complete pages 117 - 125 of science TAKS CVP2 book answering all the questions. 2. Go to BrainPop and view the Sound and Waves videos (2) and take both quizzes and email them to brsmith@mesquiteisd.org. 3. Also on BrainPop, view the video on Light and take the quiz also. (remember the username: jrthompson password:cubs)

Reading: 1.Answer the attached questions for chapter 6- I've Become Supreme Lord Of The Bathroom 2. At 9:00 am CoverItLive on Chapter 7 - My Dinner Goes Up in Smoke.

Have fun while I'm gone.

Cover It Live - Chapter 7

2010-01-12T23:09:00.000-08:00

The Lightning Thief Chapter 7 - My Dinner Goes Up In Smoke

Inbetween Chapter 2 and 3

2010-01-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, chapter three ended with the strange old ladies cutting a.. "chord" as Grover called it. What do you think that means? Actually, what if those old ladies were staring at you and repeated the same scenario, how would you react?

Please complete a short post answering the two questions above. Title it: In Between Chapter 2 and 3.

Happy Blogging!

Chapter 2 - Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death Preview

2010-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

As with chapter 1, we will begin with a warm up short post. Choose from the following two options and provide a brief yet concise response. Remember be brief!

Chapter 2 questions for anticipatory blog entry:

1. Have you ever had a teacher you wanted to do well for? If so, what made
you respect that teacher’s opinion? If you can’t think of a teacher like
that, what would a teacher have to be like to make you respect them?

2. There’s an old expression: “I feel like someone just stepped on my grave.”
Do you think it’s possible to foretell the future? Have you ever had a
feeling that something bad was going to happen?

Remember to title your post: Chapter 2 - Anticipatory Prompt 1 or 2 (choose one)

Don't forget to restate the question in your response.

Happy Blogging.