Ahh...summer. The time to
tackle major projects (moving), reflect upon last year's lessons
(blogging), and take time to relax (pinterest and reading). I've been
alternating being productive by reading to prepare for literature
circles next year with life tasks and copious amounts of Netflix.
Rick Riordan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Since I've read the Percy Jackson series, The Lost Hero, and The Son of Neptune, my next logical book was the Mark of Athena.
Picking up right where The Son of Neptune left off, Percy, Jason, and company must now safely and quickly blend the Greek and Roman camps together by heading to the homeland. Of course, nothing is easy for the prophecy of seven.
Coming in around fifty pages, this is one of my longest teacher guides ever...but considering the book is close to 600 pages, it makes sense! You can snag both the teacher guide and chronological order sort here!
August 18th is Percy Jackson's birthday and that calls for a celebration! So bust out some blue cupcakes and head on over to my TpT store for 15% off all Percy (and co) products. Teacher guides, sorts, and chronological order sorts are included for The Lightning Thief, the Sea of Monsters, the Titan's Curse, the Battle of the Labryinth, the Last Olympian, the Lost Hero, the Son of Neptune, the Mark of Athena, the Red Pyramid, the Throne of Fire, and The Serpent's Shadow!
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Ancient Egypt. From mummies to scarabs to Nefertiti, I simply couldn't get enough. I was giddy with excitement when I discovered that one of my favorite authors, Rick Riordan, has a trilogy based on ancient Egypt.
I was fortunate enough to get to read The Red Pyramid with a small group in May but we ran out of time for the sequels...which naturally found their way onto my summer reading list!
I am pleased to announce two new teacher guides with matching chronological order sorts are now available on TpT!
The first is The Throne of Fire, the second in the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan.
In this much anticipated sequel, Carter and Sadie Kane are off to save the world again before ancient Egyptian gods and monsters destroy it. By blending witty commentary with a fast paced story line and amusing characters, Riordan doesn't disappoint! I can't wait to dive into The Serpent's Shadow next!
This novel guide is 31 pages and includes vocabulary, homework ideas, and comprehension questions (with answers) for each chapter! Extension ideas are also included.
To accompany this novel, I created a chronological order sort where students must put 26 events from the novel in order. This helps students analyze how events build upon one another in the novel and how the author reveals the plot via characters. (RL 5.5) An answer key is included to alleviate arguments and this can be used as a summative assessment for comprehension or a collaborative center for students while the teacher pulls small groups.
Since I loved The Throne of Fire so much, The Serpent's Shadow was a natural next choice.
Things are worse than ever for the Kanes, with Apophis rising and a crafty magician to keep track of! Rick Riordan does a wonderful job at wrapping up this trilogy while imbedding subtle hints at the world of Greek mythology.
Snag the teacher's guide and the chronological order sort now!
I also created a "who am I" game with 25 characters from the trilogy. Students guess the character based on the given clues. I also included an answer key.
I was on such a role with analyzing characters that I also made this sort:
Students can independently or collaboratively sort the terms (smaller cards) into the characters that are being described (larger cards). Snag it here!
Happy reading :)
With the school year winding down (and testing being over!), my students had some time to collaboratively enjoy reading stations based on the novels they read with me in small groups.
These stations are now available here on my TpT store!
New centers include:
A chronological order sort for The Son of Neptune with an included answer key.
Including answer keys was one of the things I revised this year after seeing what a difference it made with my own small groups. Instead of being interrupted to referee on events, I would simply hand them the answer key when they were done so they could check themselves. Some groups could handle having the answer key at the beginning of station time, but some needed time to try the center without being tempted to look at the answers right away.
The second center is for Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter.
Students will separate out characters and descriptions to fit the appropriate magical camp. My students loved doing this center and even though they'd read different novels (some read the Lightning Thief while some read the Lost Hero), they could still work on the center together!
Additional centers will be posted over the summer, I just need to move first!
Rick Riordan is my new favorite author. I just finished reading The Son of Neptune and absolutely loved this book. Rick Riordan's writing is drenched with sassy commentary from the characters and provokes many literal laughing out loud moments.
My boyfriend made the mistake of asking what the book was about...he got a fifteen minute synopsis of the Rick Riordan universe instead of a brief retelling. Sorry babe...but don't ask about a book if you don't want a long explanation!
My teacher guide is available here and corresponding centers will be up soon!
Lucky for me, there are sequels:
Even luckier? They were buy one, get one free at our Scholastic book fair this week!
Even though summer break is days away, I will still be reading books and prepping materials for my students next year. I love that I get time to read :)
There are two weeks of school left.
If we're getting technical, there are six and a half days with students, plus one day to clean out my classroom. The end is in sight!
This year has been the most challenging of my career. I've definitely grown as an educator, mostly in part to the amazing team I'm privileged to work with.
It's a three day weekend. My lesson plans are done until August. I have nothing to grade. My report card comments are all completed.
I have no work responsibilities until Tuesday morning. This is a very strange feeling.
So I will be spending finishing up The Son of Neptune so I can meet with my final groups on Wednesday. I'm just glad I get to spend some quality time reading without feeling guilty for procrastinating about work!
