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Dear Teachers,Welcome to the Rick Riordan Myths & Legends Resource Pack. Whether your students are fans of Rick Riordan’s previousnovels or have enjoyed the two Percy Jackson films or are looking for their next exciting read, this pack will help themto explore the latest adventure, which brings the gods, monsters and characters of Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norsemythology vividly to life. It also allows students to be creative, whether in the classroom, in the library or at home.WHAT IS COVERED IN THE PACK:This pack is designed around encouraging students to read and respond to the text, offering opportunities for creativewriting, research and group discussion.The activities can be used independently or as a take-home task for students to complete as they read through the book, orcould form the basis for a classroom activity. Where appropriate, each sheet highlights the chapters that are relevant to thatactivity.SKILLS:The skills that students will develop from this pack include: creative writing and composition, group discussion includinglistening and responding constructively, and retrieving and presenting information from non-fiction texts.CONTENTS:Introduction to Rick Riordan’s series‘Which Camp?’ ActivityGREEK GODS Know your Greek gods Greek Life Lesson 1: Interviews with gods Lesson 2: Create a modern-day god Lesson 3: Plan and create a modern myth Lesson 4: Extract & discussionROMAN GODS Know your Roman gods Roman LifeEGYPTIAN GODS Know your Egyptian gods Egyptian Life Lesson 1: Writing in HieroglyphicsNORSE GODS Know your Norse gods Norse life Lesson 1: Design a Valhalla hotel room Lesson 2: Create a historical character Lesson 3: Design a viking weapon Lesson 4: Create a story using runes Book group discussion questionsADDITIONAL CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Capture the flag game Design your flag Wordsearch Design book coversAbout Rick Riordan:Before starting to write, Rick worked as a teacher, and got the idea for his Percy Jackson seriesof books from talking to his pupils and children about Greek mythology. The Percy Jacksonbooks have since become some of the most popular titles for children in the last few years, andare being adapted as a series of films. Rick now concentrates on writing full-time and lives withhis family in the USA.Inspiring you to share stories1
WHICH CAMP?To complete this pack, you can choose to represent one of four camps – Greek, Roman, Egyptian or Norse – mirroringthe worlds of Rick Riordan’s electrifying series of books. In the Percy Jackson series, half-boy half-god hero Percy Jacksoncontests with the gods and monsters of Ancient Greece. In the explosive spin-off series, Heroes of Olympus and Trials ofApollo, we meet Percy’s Roman half-blood counterparts. Readers can find the gods of Ancient Egypt waking in the modernworld in Rick Riordan’s third series, The Kane Chronicles. And the Norse gods are preparing for war in the fourth series,Magnus Chase.If you have already enjoyed the novels, you can choose the camp that corresponds to your favouriteRick Riordan series. Or you can complete the quiz below to see which suits you best!EVERY HERO NEEDS A WEAPON. WHAT’LL YOURS BE?FIGHTING WORKS UP AN APPETITE. YOU’LL ORDER?A. A pen that’s a Celestial bronze sword. Surprise!B. A gold sword you can also throw a long, long way.C. A blade of metallic iron, aka Netjeri.D. A blade emblazoned with runes. Fancy.A. Ambrosia with a side of nectar.B. Pizza.C. Bread, meat and fruit for dessert.D. Meat. And throw in some goat’s milk mead.IT’S FIELD TRIP TIME. WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER GO?IF YOU HAD TO FIGHT A DEADLY MONSTER,WHO WOULD YOU PICK?A. To see the marble statues in the Metropolitan Museum ofModern Art.B. An amphitheatre.C. Cleopatra’s needle. Even though it’s less needle, more obelisk.D. Anywhere you can check out some longships.A. Half man, half bull. Make mine a Minotaur.B. Storm spirits that move like . . . well, like the wind.C. A beady eyed griffin.D. A serpent with a ridged forehead and tapered snout.SO, POLITICS. WHICH STYLE GETS YOUR VOTE?SO MANY BATTLES, NOT MUCH FREE TIME. HOBBIES?A. Everyone has a vote to decide what to do.B. Everyone votes for a representative; they call the shots.C. A king or queen rules the country.D. A leader appoints a commission to choose the bestones for the task.A. Discus.B. Chariot racing.C. Archery.D. Climbing mountains.Mostly AsMostly BsMostly CsMostly DsGREEKSROMANSEGYPTIANSNORSEBy Zeus, you’d love thePERCY JACKSON seriesby Rick Riordan!It’s a Roman life for you!You’d enjoy Rick Riordan’sHEROES OF OLYMPUS series.Walk like an Egyptian, and readRick Riordan’s Egypt-inspiredseries THE KANE CHRONICLES.No doubt about it, you’reNorse. Try Rick Riordan’sseries about MAGNUS CHASE.turn to page 3turn to page 13turn to page 17turn to page 22PLAY CAPTURE THE FLAG!turn to page 33Inspiring you to share stories2
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Extract from Percy Jackson & The Greek GodsI hope I’m getting extra credit for this. Apublisher in New York asked me to write downwhat I know about the Greek gods, and I waslike, ‘Can we do this anonymously? Because Idon’t need the Olympians mad at me again.’But if it helps you to know your Greek gods,and survive an encounter with them if theyever show up in your face, then I guess writingall this down will be my good deed for theweek.If you don’t know me, my name is PercyJackson. I’m a modern-day demigod – a halfgod, half-mortal son of Poseidon – but I’m notgoing to say much about myself. My story hasalready been written down in some books thatare total fiction (wink, wink), and I am just acharacter from the story (cough – yeah, right –cough).Just go easy on me while I’m telling youabout the gods, all right? There’s like fortybajillion different versions of the myths, sodon’t be all Well, I heard it a different way, so you’reWRONG!I’m going to tell you the versions that makethe most sense to me. I promise I didn’t makeany of this up. I got all these stories straightfrom the Ancient Greek and Roman dudeswho wrote them down in the first place.Believe me, I couldn’t make up stuff this weird.So here we go. First I’ll tell you how theworld got made. Then I’ll run down a list ofgods and give you my two cents about each ofthem. I just hope I don’t make them so madthey incinerate me before I –AGGHHHHHHHHH!Just kidding. Still here.Anyway, I’ll start with the Greek story ofcreation, which by the way is seriously messedup. Wear your safety glasses and your raincoat.There will be blood.Inspiring you to share stories4
GREEK TEAMWelcome to the Greek team! In the first series of books by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, aplace for the children of the Greek gods. As the child of the sea god, Poseidon, Percy has great power at his disposal, butis also the target for a series of terrifying monsters. He sets out on a series of quests, together with his friends, to battle arising force of evil and restore order amongst the arguing gods.KNOW YOUR GREEK GODSThere were twelve gods on the Olympian council. Each was immortal, and had different symbols as well as different areasof power and control. The table below lists all of this information, but some of it is incomplete. Can you move the missinglabels to the correct places?If you need help, why not go to www.rickriordan.co.uk or consult The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan.GOD/GODDESSPOWERSYMBOL/ANIMALZeusEagle, lightning boltHeraMotherhood/marriagesCow, lion, peacockSea/earthquakesHorse, tridentDemeterAgricultureRed poppy, barleyHephaestusBlacksmithsAnvil, quailAthenaWisdom, battle, useful artsLoveDove, magic beltAresWild boar, bloody spearApolloMusic, medicine, poetry, archery, bachelorsMouse, lyreArtemisMaiden girls, huntingShe-bearHermesTravellers, merchants, thieves, messengersDionysusTiger, grapesPoseidonskywarAphroditecaduceus, winged helmet and sandalsowlwineDISCUSSIONIn the novels, Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon, and that his fellow Camp Half-Blood friends are alsothe children of one of the gods and a mortal. Look again at the table on the page. If you could be the child of one of thegods, which would you pick? Discuss this as a group. Remember to listen to the opinions of others and to give your own.Inspiring you to share stories5
GREEK LIFEReligion and the gods were a very important part of Ancient Greek life, but there were many other interesting aspects toAncient Greek culture. Working in pairs, pick one of the following areas to research, and create a factfile for your fellowgroup members. Ancient Greek architectureAgriculture in Ancient GreeceThe Olympic GamesThe Trojan WarThe Greek TheatreHEROESPercy Jackson is named after another famous Ancient Greek hero, Perseus. A child of Zeus, Perseus was sent on whatwas considered an impossible quest: to return with the head of Medusa. Just like Percy, Perseus was able to overcomethe monster by only looking at her in the reflection of his shield, and succeeded in his quest.There are a number of other important heroes in Greek mythology – some of the most important are listed below. Chooseone of them and research their life and legends. Then create a social media profile for your chosen hero – remember toinclude a picture, as well as a list of interests. You could even create a friends list for your hero, based on what you havelearned. heusDISCUSSIONThe word ‘hero’ as we use it today was not the same in Ancient Greece. A hero today might be someone who isadmired for the brave things that they do or for their good qualities of character, or someone who has done somethingheroic like putting themselves in danger to save someone else. Heroes in Greek times were a little different, and oftenperformed their quests to help nobody except themselves, although they always showed strength, courage and quickwittedness.What do you think it means to be a hero? Discuss this as a group. Then think about who your greatest hero is, and tellthe group about them. It might be someone famous, but it might also be someone close to home.DESIGN YOUR FLAGAs representatives of Camp Half-Blood and the Greek team, you will be participating in a game of ‘capture the flag’.First, you will need to design a flag for your team. You can use whichever colours or symbols you prefer – draw it into theworksheet on page 34.Inspiring you to share stories6
LESSON 1: GODS AND DEMIGODSObjectives: To interpret and analyse Rick Riordan’s use of language; to conduct interviews with the gods(drama/role-play)Lead-in tasks: Extract workEXTRACT TASK 1Read the extract text on the previous pageEXTRACT TASK 2 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:1. Who asked Percy to write this book?2. Who is Percy’s godly parent?3. Where did Percy get the stories from?EXTRACT TASK 3 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF PERCY:Find examples in the introduction that show that Percy is:a) Funny b) Brave c) SarcasticEXTRACT TASK 4If Percy Jackson was interviewed on the television, what do you think he’d be like in real life?Brainstorm your ideas using the following headings: AppearanceVoiceBody LanguageFacial ExpressionsEXTENSION TASKImagine you have just found out that, like Percy Jackson, you’re a child of one of the Greek gods.Write a diary of the day you found out. How did you find out? How did it make you feel? Who have youtold (if anyone)? What new powers might you have? What will you do now that you know? Which Godis your parent?TASK 1Using the tables from page 5 of the pack, choose one of the Greek gods and imagine what they’d be like in themodern world. Make notes of the following: AppearanceVoiceBody LanguageFacial ExpressionsTASK 2Get into pairs and make sure that you have each chosen a different god. Interview each other and ask questionsabout each other’s powers, likes and dislikes, and personality.Inspiring you to share stories7
LESSON 2: MODERN GODSObjectives: To create a modern-day godTASK 1Create an appropriate name for your own modern-day god using interesting nouns, verbs, adverbsor adjectives. Think about the names of the Greek gods for inspiration.TASK 2Complete a god profile for your character, using the template below.Mugshot:About cial spiring you to share stories8
LESSON 3: MODERN MYTHSObjectives: To plan and create a modern mythLead-in question: What things do you need to consider when you’re writing a story or creating a myth?Carefully think about plot, setting, characters, etc.TASK 1Create a plan for a modern myth about your newly created god. It should include: a beginning, middle and ending; aninteresting setting; a hero; and a monster.THE QUEST: BEGINNINGTHE QUEST: MIDDLETHE QUEST: ENDINGSETTINGTHE HEROTHE MONSTERInspiring you to share stories9
TASK 2Have a go at writing your modern myth. When you have finished, cut out the story cards and match each card to a part inyour story.TASK 3In groups, you can then pick the best story to transform into a drama and perform in front of the class.REFLECTION QUESTIONS1. What have you learned about Greek gods; Which is your favourite?2. What sort of character is Percy Jackson? What are his personality traits?3. If Percy had a Twitter profile or Facebook page, what do you think it would be like?4. How is the Percy Jackson series similar or different to other books that you have read about young people of thesame age?5. Why do you think it is important to remind people of Greek mythology?Inspiring you to share stories10
LESSON 4: EXTRACT & DISCUSSIONThe monsters of Greek mythology were a terrifying bunch, for the most part. They ranged from dragons, demons andgiants to multiformed creatures. One of the most famous was the minotaur, a deadly monster with the head of a bull whoate men. It was kept in the labyrinth in Knossos, but was eventually killed by Theseus. Percy also meets the minotaur, inthis extract from Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.Glancing back, I got my first clear look atthe monster. He was seven feet tall, easy, hisarms and legs looked like something from thecover of Muscle Man magazine – bulgingbiceps and triceps and a bunch of other ‘ceps,all stuffed like baseballs under vein-webbedskin. He wore no clothes except underwear – Imean, bright white Fruit-of-the-Looms, whichwould’ve been funny except for the top half ofhis body. Coarse brown hair started at abouthis bellybutton and got thicker as it reached hisshoulders.His neck was a mass of muscle and furleading up to his enormous head, which had asnout as long as my arm, snotty nostrils with agleaming glass ring, cruel black eyes, and horns– enormous black-and-white horns with pointsyou just couldn’t get from an electric sharpener.I recognized the monster, all right. Hehad once been in one of the first stories MrBrunner told us. But he couldn’t be real.I blinked the rain out of my eyes. ‘That’s – ’‘Pasiphae’s son,’ my mother said. ‘I wish I’dknown how badly they wanted to kill you.’‘But he’s a min–’‘Don’t say his name,’ she warned. ‘Nameshave power.’The pine tree was still way too far – ahundred metres uphill at least.I glanced behind me again.The bull-man hunched over our car, lookingin the windows – or not looking exactly. Morelike snuffling, nuzzling.I wasn’t sure why he bothered, since we wereonly about 15 metres away.‘Food?’ Grover moaned.‘Shhh,’ I told him. ‘Mom, what’s he doing?Doesn’t he see us?’‘His sight and hearing are terrible,’ she said.‘He goes by smell. But he’ll figure out wherewe are soon enough.’As if on cue, the bull-man bellowed in rage.He picked up Gabe’s camaro by the torn roof,the chassis creaking and groaning. He raisedthe car over his head and threw it down theroad. It slammed into the wet asphalt andskidded in a shower of sparks for about halfa mile before coming to a stop. The gas tankexploded.Not a scratch, I remembered Gabe saying.Oops.‘Percy,’ my mum said. ‘When he sees us, he’llInspiring you to share stories11
charge. Wait until the last second, then jump outof the way – directly sideways. He can’t changedirection very well once he’s charging. Do youunderstand?’‘How do you know all this?’‘I’ve been worried about an attack for a longtime. I should have expected this. I was selfish,keeping you near me.’‘Keeping me near you? But –’Another bellow of rage, and the bull-manstarted tromping uphill.He’d smelled us.The pine tree was only a few more metres,but the hill was getting steeper and slicker, andGrover wasn’t getting any lighter.The bull-man closed in. Another few secondsand he’d be on top of us.My mother must’ve been exhausted, butshe shouldered Grover. ‘Go Percy! Separate!Remember what I said.’I didn’t want to split up, but I had the feelingshe was right – it was our only chance. I sprintedto the left, turned, and saw the creature bearingdown on me. His black eyes glowed with hate.He reeked like rotten meat.He lowered his head and charged, thoserazor-sharp horns aimed straight at my chest.DISCUSSIONIn this extract, the minotaur of classical mythology is transferred to a modern context. For example, he wears modernunderwear, and has the strength to destroy a car. What qualities are still the same?Inspiring you to share stories12
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CAPTURE THE FLAG!EXTRACTHere is an extract from Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.That night after dinner, there was a lot more excitement than usual.At last, it was time for capture the flag.When the plates were cleared away, the conch horn sounded and we all stood at our tables.Campers yelled and cheered as Annabeth and two of her siblings ran into the pavilion carrying a silk banner. It wasabout three metres long, glistening grey, with a painting of a barn owl above an olive tree. From the opposite side of thepavilion, Clarisse and her buddies ran in with another banner, of identical size, but gaudy red, painted with a bloodyspear and a boar’s head.I turned to Luke and yelled over the noise, ‘Those are the flags?’‘Yeah.’‘Ares and Athena always lead the teams?’‘Not always,’ he said. ‘But often.’‘So, if another cabin captures one, what do you do – repaint the flag?’He grinned. ‘You’ll see. First, we have to get one.’‘Capture the flag’ is the game played regularly by the demigods at Camp Half-Blood. The different ‘houses’ form alliances,and students are heavily armed, using military tactics and fighting to capture one of two flags. Instead of a physicalcontest of capture the flag, as played in Camp Half-Blood, Athena the goddess of wisdom has set you a quest. In thefollowing wordsearch, you will find the answers to all of the questions below. Complete the wordsearch as quickly aspossible to capture the flag!CAPTURE THE FLAG: QUIZ1. What is the name of Percy’s magical sword?2. Name the Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods of the dead.3. Who is the writer of the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus and Kane Chronicles books?4. What are the Greek and Roman names of Percy’s father?5. What are the Greek and Roman names of Jason’s father?6. What bond do Jason and Percy’s fathers share?7. Which river do the gods make their solemn vows on?8. What animal does Bast have the head of?9. What is the name of the god who takes Carter and Sadie’s father hostage?10. Which monster’s hair is made of snakes?11. The minotaur is half man and half of which animal?12. Name the Greek/Roman and Egyptian gods of medicine.13. What is the name of the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology?14. What was the name of Set’s brother, whom he killed?15. Jason Grace is named after the hero Jason, who led a group of heroes. What were they called?16. Who were the mythological creatures who lured sailors to death with their beautiful singing?17. Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war, has the head of which animal?18. What are the Greek and Roman names for the god of war?19. After which Greek hero is Percy Jackson named?20. In Greek mythology, where was the Minotaur kept?Inspiring you to share stories33
DESIGN YOUR TEAM FLAGInspiring you to share stories34
WORD SEARCHRIPTIDEHADESPLUTOOSIRISRICK JLDEYDCCNVKGHHQFUKRJRVPHMInspiring you to share stories35
DESIGN YOUR OWN BOOK COVERInspiring you to share stories36
CAPTURE THE FLAG: ANSWERS1. What is the name of Percy’s magical sword?2. Name the Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods of the dead.3. Who is the writer of the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus and Kane Chronicles books?4. What are the Greek and Roman names of Percy’s father?5. What are the Greek and Roman names of Jason’s father?6. What bond do Jason and Percy’s fathers share?7. Which river do the gods make their solemn vows on?8. What animal does Bast have the head of?9. What is the name of the god who takes Carter and Sadie’s father hostage?10. Which monster’s hair is made of snakes?11. The minotaur is half man and half of which animal?12. Name the Greek/Roman and Egyptian gods of medicine.13. What is the name of the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology?14. What was the name of Set’s brother, whom he killed?15. Jason Grace is named after the hero Jason, who led a group of heroes. What were they called?16. Who were the mythological creatures who lured sailors to death with their beautiful singing?17. Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war, has the head of which animal?18. What are the Greek and Roman names for the god of war?19. After which Greek hero is Percy Jackson named?20. In Greek mythology, where was the Minotaur kept?RiptideHades, Pluto, OsirisRick RiordanPoseidon, NeptuneZeus, JupiterThey are brothersStyxCatSetMedusaBullApollo, SekhmetCaduceusOsirisArgonautsSirensLionAres, MarsPerseusLabyrinthInspiring you to share stories38
WORD SEARCH ANSWERSRIPTIDEHADESPLUTOOSIRISRICK JLDEYDCCNVKGHHQFUKRJRVPHMInspiring you to share stories39
PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF (BOOK 1)Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek god. I was just a normal kid, going to school,playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That’swhen things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters withmy friends, and generally trying to stay alive.This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I’ve stolen his lightning bolt – and making Zeus angry isa very bad idea.Can Percy find the lightning bolt before a fully fledged war of the gods erupts?Also available as a graphic novel.PERCY JACKSON AND THE SEA OF MONSTERS (BOOK 2)You can’t tell by looking at me that my dad is Poseidon, God of the Sea. It’s not easy being a half-blood these days. Youmortals can’t even see the monsters we have to fight all the time. So when a game of dodgeball turned into a death matchagainst an ugly gang of cannibal giants, I couldn’t exactly ask my gym teacher for help.And that was just for starters. This is the one where Camp Half-Blood is under attack, and unless I get my hands on theGolden Fleece, the whole camp will be invaded by monsters. Big ones.Can Percy survive the treacherous Sea of Monsters and restore order to Half-Blood Hill?Also available as a graphic novel.PERCY JACKSON AND THE TITAN’S CURSE (BOOK 3)It’s not everyday you find yourself in hand-to-claw combat with a half-lion, half-human. But when you’re the son of a Greekgod, these things happen. All I was trying to do was to bring two new demigods back to camp. But the arrival of the manticorechanged everything. Now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and the general of the Titans wants tounleash a tribe of skeleton warriors on the world.This is the one where only five of us heroes can join the dangerous quest to defeat the doomsday monster – and our camp’soracle has predicted that not all of the chosen five will survive . . .Can Percy save Annabeth – and the rest of the world – before the curse destroys him forever?Also available as a graphic novel.PERCY JACKSON AND THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH (BOOK 4)Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I’ve had my shareof near-death disaster. This summer, I didn’t choose to battle the cheerleading squad, but when two hissing she-devilswith fangs are heading straight for you, what’s a half-blood meant to do?That was just the beginning. This is the one where my arch-enemy, Luke, is looking for a way to invade our camp viaan ancient labyrinth. If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it’s goodbye sunshine, hellodarkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond . . .Can Percy navigate his way out of trouble before Luke’s army brings mass destruction to Camp Half-Blood?PERCY JACKSON AND THE LAST OLYMPIAN (BOOK 5)Most people get presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.That’s how it is when you’re the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea. According to an ancient prophecy, bad things will happenwhen I turn sixteen – because I’m the one who gets to decide the fate of the entire world. But no pressure.This is the one where Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City, where Mount Olympus standsvirtually unguarded. Oh, and the dreaded (and not to mention enormous) monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it’s meand forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil . . .Can Percy stop the rampage of the Titans, to save Olympus – and himself?PERCY JACKSON AND THE GREEK GODSIf you like horror shows, bloodbaths, lying, stealing, backstabbing and cannibalism then read on . . .Who could tell the stories of the gods of Olympus better than a modern-day demigod? In this whirlwind tour of Greekmythology, Percy Jackson gives his personal take on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece and reveals the truth abouthow they came to rule the world.Inspiring you to share stories40
In the first series of books by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, a place for the children of the Greek gods. As the child of the sea god, Poseidon, Percy has great power at his disposal, but is also the target for a series of terrifying monsters. He sets out on a
