7.
Teacher asks: What is King Polydectes like?
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): King Polydectes is evil.
8.
Teacher asks: What does King Polydectes decide to do to Perseus?
Students answer (responses may vary in wording but should resemble the following): King Polydectes decides to send Perseus on a dangerous mission.
9.
Teacher says (models thinking): I am wondering why King Polydectes decides to send Perseus on a dangerous mission. Is it just because Polydectes is evil, and he wants Perseus to get hurt or killed? Or does he have another reason for wanting to get rid of Perseus? The book says that once Perseus goes away on his mission, Polydectes plans to “do some great mischief to Danaë.” It sounds like Polydectes does not want to do anything bad to Danaë while Perseus is around. Could Polydectes be afraid of a strong, active young man who is good at using weapons? Think about this question as we keep reading.
Read the remainder of page 7 and continue through the last full paragraph on page 8. The last full paragraph consists of a single sentence: “‘Ho, ho!’ cried they; ‘Medusa’s snakes will sting him soundly!’”
10.
Teacher asks: King Polydectes tells Perseus that he wants to give the beautiful Princess Hippodamia a special present. What does Polydectes want to give the princess?
Students answer (responses may vary in degree of detail but should resemble the following): Polydectes wants to give the princess the head of the Gorgon Medusa with the snaky locks.
11.
Teacher asks: How does Polydectes want Perseus to help him with this present?
Students answer: Polydectes wants Perseus to bring him Medusa’s head.
Read the remainder of page 8 and continue through the first full paragraph on page 9. The first full paragraph on page 9 ends with, “...lifeless stone!” Define “brazen” as “bronze” on page 9.
12.
Teacher asks: The book has just told us a lot about three monsters known as the Gorgons. What are some details we read about what the Gorgons look like?
Students answer: Responses should include at least two details from the text. Examples include the following:
- The Gorgons have snakes instead of hair.
- The Gorgons have tusks.
- The Gorgons have hands made out of brass.
- The Gorgons have wings of gold.
13.
Teacher asks: We have also learned what happens to any person who looks directly at the face of one of the Gorgons. What happens to a person who does this?
Students answer: That person turns into stone.
Read the remainder of page 9 through the first full paragraph on page 10. The first full paragraph of page 10 ends with, “...shedding tears.” Define “disconsolate” as “sad” on page 10.
15.
Teacher asks: Medusa is one of the Gorgons. One challenge to cutting off her head is that Perseus cannot look at her face. What will happen to Perseus if he looks at Medusa’s face?
Students answer: If Perseus looks at Medusa’s face, he will turn into stone.
16.
Teacher asks: How is Perseus feeling now? Explain why he feels this way, using evidence from the story.
Students answer: Responses may vary but should recognize that Perseus is feeling bad. As to why Perseus feels this way, answers again may vary but should have a basis in the text. An obvious response is that Perseus feels bad because he has to cut off Medusa’s head. Doing so is not easy and could result in him getting turned into stone.
Read the remainder of page 10 through the first paragraph on page 11. The first paragraph on page 11 ends with, “‘...can be done.’”
17.
Teacher asks: While Perseus is sitting down and trying not to cry, a stranger appears. What is the stranger like?
Students answer: Responses may vary but should reflect the text. Examples include the following. Make sure at least two responses are given:
- The stranger is kind.
- The stranger is cheerful.
- The stranger is intelligent.
- The stranger has an odd cap on his head.
18.
Teacher says (models thinking): The stranger tells Perseus that he goes by the name Quicksilver. He also tells Perseus that he has helped many young men through difficult adventures before and says that he “may be of service” to Perseus. That makes me think Quicksilver may be able to help Perseus cut off Medusa’s head. Let’s read on to find out whether Quicksilver can really help Perseus.
Read the remainder of page 11 through the first full paragraph on page 12. The first full paragraph on page 12 ends with, “‘...find the Nymphs.’”
19.
Teacher asks: What does Quicksilver tell Perseus to do to his shield?
Students answer: Quicksilver tells Perseus to polish his shield until Perseus can see his own face in it as clearly as in a mirror.
20.
Teacher asks: Think over everything we know about Medusa. Why might Quicksilver tell Perseus to polish his shield? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Students answer: Ideally, students will recognize that Quicksilver tells Perseus to polish his shield so that Perseus can use it to look at Medusa. The polished shield would allow Perseus to see Medusa without looking directly at her and getting turned into stone. If students are unable to make this connection on their own, simply ask them to pay attention to what Perseus does with his shield as the story continues.
21.
Teacher says (models thinking): After Perseus polishes his shield, Quicksilver says that they need to find the Three Gray Women. I am surprised that Quicksilver says that the next thing is to find the Three Gray Women because Perseus is supposed to be looking for Medusa and the other Gorgons. I wonder whether the Gray Women have anything to do with the Gorgons. Let’s read on and find out.
Read the remainder of page 12 through the third paragraph on page 14. The third paragraph on page 14 ends with, “‘...the Gorgons.’”
22.
Teacher asks: Who besides Quicksilver is going to help Perseus?
Students answer: Quicksilver’s sister is going to help Perseus.
23.
Teacher asks: Describe Quicksilver’s sister.
Students answer: Responses may vary but should reflect the text. Examples include the following. Make sure at least two responses are given:
- Quicksilver’s sister never laughs.
- Quicksilver’s sister is very wise.
- Quicksilver’s sister is very serious.
Read the remainder of page 14 through the first full paragraph on page 15. The first full paragraph on page 15 ends with, “...in the world.” Make sure students understand that “dusk” refers to a time in the evening between day and night.
24.
Teacher asks: How many eyes do the Three Gray Women have?
Students answer: The Three Gray Women have one eye.
25.
Teacher asks: How do the Three Gray Women share their one eye?
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): The Three Gray Women take turns using their eye. When one of their turns is done, the eye is passed to another of the women.
Read the remainder of page 15 through the first paragraph on page 17. The first paragraph on page 17 ends with, “...desire to see.”
27.
Teacher asks: Let’s make sure we all understand what is happening with the Three Gray Women and their one eye. The Gray Women are sisters, and their names are Scarecrow, Nightmare, and Shakejoint. Which one of them has the eye?
Students answer: Scarecrow has the eye.
28.
Teacher asks: What is Scarecrow doing with the eye now?
Students answer: Scarecrow is holding the eye out in front of her.
29.
Teacher asks: Why is Scarecrow holding the eye out in front of her?
Students answer: Scarecrow is holding the eye out to give one of her sisters a turn with it.
30.
Teacher asks: What are Nightmare and Shakejoint doing as Scarecrow holds the eye out?
Students answer: Nightmare and Shakejoint are trying to grab the eye from Scarecrow’s hand.
31.
Teacher asks: Nightmare and Shakejoint are having trouble taking the eye from Scarecrow. Why are they having trouble?
Students answer: Nightmare and Shakejoint are having trouble because none of the sisters can see while Scarecrow is holding the eye out in front of her.
32.
Teacher asks: Remember that all this time Perseus and Quicksilver are watching the Gray Women. Based on what we have read, make a prediction about what is going to happen next. Explain why you made this prediction.
Students answer: Responses may vary, as long as they are supported by the story. For example:
- I predict that either Nightmare or Shakejoint will find the eye and put it in her head. Both of them are close to Scarecrow, so it will not take long for one of them to find the eye.
- I predict that Quicksilver and Perseus will try to help the Gray Women with the eye. They want the Gray Women to help them find the Nymphs, so being nice to the women might make the women more likely to help them.
Read the remainder of page 17 through the last full paragraph on page 19. The last full paragraph on page 19 ends with, “...at once.”
33.
Teacher asks: Think back to the prediction you made about what was going to happen as Perseus and Quicksilver were watching the three sisters from behind a bush. Was your prediction correct? Explain why or why not, using information from the story.
Students answer: Responses will vary, depending on the original predictions made. Any student who predicted that Perseus would run out and grab the eye from the sisters would have made a correct prediction.
34.
Teacher asks: Perseus asks for some information before giving the Gray Women their eye back. He asks them to tell him where to find the Nymphs. Nymphs are magical female spirits that live in trees and water. Perseus is looking for certain Nymphs in particular. He is looking for the Nymphs who have three things. What three things do these Nymphs have?
Students answer: These nymphs have the flying slippers, the magic (or enchanted) wallet, and the helmet of darkness (or invisibility).
35.
Teacher asks: What does Perseus do after the Gray Women tell him where to find the Nymphs that he and Quicksilver are looking for?
Students answer: Perseus gives the Gray Women their eye back.
36.
Teacher asks: Based on what has happened so far, where will Perseus and Quicksilver probably go next? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Quicksilver and Perseus will probably go to the Nymphs next. They have just put a lot of effort into finding out where the Nymphs are.
Read the remainder of page 19 through the last full paragraph on page 21. The last full paragraph on page 21 ends with, “...like a bird.”
37.
Teacher asks: When Perseus and Quicksilver reach the Nymphs, the Nymphs kindly hand over the flying slippers, the helmet of invisibility, and the magic wallet. What happens when Perseus gets both of the flying slippers on his feet?
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Perseus flies up into the air.
38.
Teacher asks: What happens when the Nymphs put the helmet of invisibility on Perseus’s head?
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Perseus becomes invisible.
39.
Teacher says (models thinking): Perseus is now wearing the flying slippers and the invisible helmet. I notice that he has not done anything with the magic wallet, however. That makes me wonder whether he will use the wallet later on. Let’s keep reading and find out.
Read the remainder of page 21 through the end of page 23. Page 23 ends with, “...senseless stone.” Be mindful of the typo in the last sentence of the first paragraph on page 22. The sentence should read as follows: “The bravest sights were the meteors, that gleamed suddenly out, as if a bonfire had been kindled in the sky, and made the moonshine pale for as much as a hundred miles around them.” Define “mortal” as “human being” on page 23.
40.
Teacher asks: Who joins Perseus and Quicksilver as they are flying through the air?
Students answer: Quicksilver’s sister joins them.
41.
Teacher asks: Perseus, Quicksilver, and Quicksilver’s sister are flying above the ocean. What does Quicksilver’s sister notice on an island in the ocean?
Students answer: Quicksilver’s sister notices the Gorgons.
42.
Teacher asks: What are the Gorgons doing when Perseus sees them?
Students answer: The Gorgons are sleeping.
43.
Teacher asks: Think back to the task that King Polydectes assigned to Perseus at the beginning of the story. What is Perseus’s task?
Students answer: Perseus’s task is to bring Medusa’s head to King Polydectes.
44.
Teacher asks: Based on what we have read, make a prediction about what is going to happen next. Explain why you made this prediction.
Students answer: Responses may vary, as long as they are supported by the story. Students should be able to recognize that Perseus will likely try to cut off Medusa’s head while she is sleeping.
Read page 24. Page 24 ends with, “...their eyes.”
45.
Teacher asks: What does Perseus see when he looks at the bright surface of his shield?
Students answer: Perseus sees Medusa’s face.
46.
Teacher asks: We read that people who look at the face of Medusa or the other Gorgons turn into stone. Why doesn't Perseus turn into stone when he sees Medusa’s face?
Students answer: Perseus doesn't turn into stone because he is looking at Medusa’s face in the reflection of his shield.
47.
Teacher asks: Remember how we wondered earlier why Quicksilver told Perseus to polish his shield? Now we know. Why did Quicksilver tell Perseus to polish his shield?
Students answer: Quicksilver told Perseus to polish his shield so that Perseus would be able to see Medusa in it without being turned into stone.
Read through the last full paragraph on page 25. The last full paragraph on page 25 ends with, “‘...for Medusa’s death.’” Explain that “to take vengeance” means “to take revenge.”
48.
Teacher asks: What does Perseus do with the sword that Quicksilver gave him?
Students answer: Perseus cuts off Medusa’s head.
49.
Teacher asks: Earlier we wondered what Perseus was going to do with the magic wallet he received from the Nymphs. Now we know. How does Perseus use the magic wallet?
Students answer: Perseus puts Medusa’s head inside the magic wallet.
50.
Teacher asks: What does Quicksilver’s sister tell Perseus to do after chopping off the Gorgon’s head?
Students answer: Quicksilver’s sister tells Perseus to fly.
51.
Teacher asks: Why is it important for Perseus to fly away now?
Students answer: Medusa’s sisters will try to take revenge on Perseus for Medusa’s death.
Read the remainder of page 25 and continue through the end of the first paragraph on page 27. The first paragraph on page 27 ends with, “...now to happen.” Around the end of page 26, explain that a temple is a holy building used for religious worship, somewhat like a church.
52.
Teacher asks: When Perseus returns to the island of Seriphus, where is his mother Danaë living?
Students answer: Danaë is living in a temple.
53.
Teacher asks: Why is Danaë living in a temple now?
Students answer: The king had treated Danaë so badly that she had to escape to a temple.
54.
Teacher asks: The priests who take care of Danaë in the temple and the fisherman who found her and Perseus floating in the chest are kind people. What are the other people on the island of Seriphus like, including King Polydectes?
Students answer: Responses may vary in wording, but students should recognize that the other people on the island are ill-behaved.
Finish reading the story. On page 29, make sure students understand that marble is a white stone.
55.
Teacher asks: Once Perseus returns to Seriphus, he does not find his mother at home. Where does he go next?
Students answer: Perseus goes to the king’s palace.
56.
Teacher asks: After Perseus tells the king that he has brought back Medusa’s head, what does the king ask?
Students answer: The king asks to see Medusa’s head.
57.
Teacher asks: Instead of showing the king Medusa’s head right away, Perseus suggests that the king’s subjects, or people living under the king’s control, come to see the head. What will happen to the king and his subjects when they see the head? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Students answer: When the king and his subjects see the head, they will turn into stone. That is what happens to any human being who looks directly at Medusa’s head.
58.
Teacher asks: Why does Perseus suggest that the king’s subjects come see the head? Before you answer, recall what the king’s subjects are like. Also, make sure you support your answer with evidence from the book.
Students answer: Responses may vary but should reflect the book. For example:
- Perseus suggests that the king’s subjects come see the head because he believes that few of them have seen a Gorgon’s head before. (acceptable literal answer)
- Perseus suggests that the king’s subjects come see the head because he wants to punish them for their bad behavior by turning them into stone. (strong answer)
59.
Teacher asks: As Perseus is about to show Medusa’s head to the king and his subjects, a feeling of sorrow and pity comes over him. Why might a feeling of sorrow and pity come over Perseus?
Students answer: A feeling of sorrow and pity might come over Perseus because he feels bad about turning all the people around him into stone.
60.
Teacher asks: Perseus tells Polydectes and the other people at the palace that he is loath, or reluctant, to show them the Gorgon’s head. What does Polydectes then say to Perseus?
Students answer: Polydectes tells Perseus that he will cut off Perseus’s head if Perseus does not show him Medusa’s head.
61.
Teacher asks: What happens when Perseus holds up Medusa’s head?
Students answer: Both of the following responses are acceptable:
- The king and the other people at the palace turn into marble.
- The king and the other people at the palace turn into stone.
This is a very detailed lesson plan. I will use this with my students. Thank you.