Greek Mythology Modernized Through the Eyes of Riordan
Directions: In an attempt to better explain Greek Mythology to teenagers, Rick Riordan wrote The
Lightning Thief, combining modern-day America with Greek gods and monsters/creatures. For this
project, you will research a god/goddess or monster to compare and contrast their portrayal in The
Lightning Thief.
If you are in the “Gods/Goddesses” group, you
may research one of the following:
1. Zeus
2. Hades
3. Poseidon
4. Aries
5. Dionysus
If you are in the “Monsters/Creatures” group, you
may research one of the following:
1. Chiron
6. The Minotaur
2. Medusa
7. Chimera
3. Charon
8. Satyrs
4. Cerberus
9. Procrustes
5. The Furies
Step One:
Create either a T-chart or a Venn Diagram in your composition books. Title one side “Original Myth” and
the other side “Modernized Myth.”
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In the “Original Myth” column, summarize the myth. Make note of the details: attire, physical
features, etc.
Now, open your copy of The Lightning Thief and find where that god/monster/place is located in
the book. Reread that section. In the “Modernized Myth” column, answer the following
questions: What stayed the same? What details were modernized?
o Find and record two-three quotes to support your findings and conclusions. Cite your
sources by writing the author’s last name and page number. Ex: (Riordan 43).
Step Two:
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Pictures: Make sure you have one drawing or photograph for the myth and one for the
description in The Lightning Thief.
On a Word document, GoogleDocs, or PowerPoint, type the best summary of the original myth
with a drawing/photo representing the myth next to it. On the next page or slide, write your
two-three quotes with proper citation and the picture for how they look in the novel.
***While you are in charge and will be held accountable for the character you research, you will present
as a group. I encourage ALL of the groups to use GoogleDocs as a tool to help with collaboration and
presentation. (Ex: Get everyone’s email and share a document that everyone can work on. That way,
you are able to work together in one document and the presentation is ready to go.
In-class resources include:
1. Myths and Legends From Ancient Greece and Around the World (Purple Book)
2. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths (Yellow Book – Two copies)
3. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Greek Mythology/Lightning Thief Presentation Rubric
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6.
____ Note-taking via T-chart or Venn Diagram as you read (20 POINTS)
____ Summarizing the Myth (20 POINTS)
____ Two-Three Quotes from Lightning Thief (20 POINTS)
____ Picture representing the myth (15 POINTS)
____ Picture representing the portrayal in Lightning Thief (15 POINTS)
____ Presentation is neat and projected on the Promethean Board (10 POINTS)
Notes:
Total: ________/ 100
PROJECTS ARE DUE: JANUARY 22ND/23RD