Close Read: Perseus 🧠📖 Differentiated

By Brendan Mccann

​Learning Target 🎯 I can explain how Perseus’s responses 🔁 to events move the story forward 📖, using text evidence 🧾.

​Close Read: Perseus 🧠📖

Today you will 🪜

• Choose ONE moment in the story 🪽 💃 🗡️

• Use ONE quote 🧾

• Explain what Perseus does and what happens because of it 📖

• Write a short paragraph ✍️

Important 👀
Everything you write on the ✏️ lines will go into your draft.

​Slide 2 — Understanding the Prompt 🧠📖

​Writing Question ✍️ How do Perseus’s responses 🔁 help move the story forward 📖?

What this means 👀

• Responses 🔁 = what Perseus does, decides, or chooses

• Move the story forward 📖 = what happens because of his response

Think this way 🧠

Perseus responds by __________, so the story moves forward when __________.

You will write about ONE moment in the story.

Perseus looked down and shivered, but he hid his fear. He thought about Medusa and the task ahead, and he jumped into the air.

​​🪽 The Leap

The Nymphs asked Perseus to stay and dance with them, but Perseus refused. He said he must complete the task the Immortals gave him.

​​💃 The Nymphs

​Perseus kept his eyes on the shield and struck Medusa once. He did not need to strike again.

​​🗡️ Medusa

​Slide 3 — Choose Your Moment 🧠📖
You will write about ONE moment in the story. Read each excerpt and choose the one you want to explain.

Poll

Slide 4 — Gateway Poll 🗳️

Which moment did you choose to write about?

TURN IN YOUR SEAT AND EXPLAIN TO SOMEONE ELSE WHAT YOUR SCENE IS ABOUT!

• 🪽 The Leap

• 💃 The Nymphs

• 🗡️ Medusa

​Slide 5 — Write Your Topic Sentence ✍️🧠
Now write ONE topic sentence about the moment you chose.

Your sentence should:

• name Perseus 👤

• describe what he does 🔁

• explain what happens because of it 📖

Sentence Starter

Perseus responds by ______________________________, which causes ______________________________.

✏️ WRITE YOUR FINAL TOPIC SENTENCE ON THE ✏️ LINES ON YOUR ORGANIZER.
(This sentence will go directly into your draft.)

Poll

Slide 6 — Gateway Poll 🗳️

Did you write your topic sentence on the ✏️ lines?

TURN IN YOUR SEAT AND READ YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE TO SOMEONE- GIVE FEEDBACK.

• Yes — I’m ready to keep going

• I need a little more time

​Slide 7 — Use the Quote 🧾✍️
Now use the quote you circled to support your topic sentence.

How to introduce your quote 🧾

Use this sentence starter:

According to the text, “__________________________________.”

✏️ WRITE THIS SENTENCE ON THE ✏️ LINES ON YOUR ORGANIZER.
(This sentence will go directly into your draft.)

(Your quote should come from the moment you chose 🪽 💃 🗡️.)

Poll

Slide 8 — Gateway Poll 🗳️

Did you write your quote sentence using the starter?

TURN IN YOUR SEAT AND READ YOUR QUOTE TO SOMEONE. DOES IT SUPPORT YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE?

• Yes — I used the sentence starter

• I wrote the quote but not the starter

• I need more time

​Slide 9 — Explain the Quote 🧠📖
Now explain why your quote matters.

Sentence 1 — Describe Perseus’s response 🔁

In this moment, Perseus ________________________________.

(What does he do, decide, or choose?)

---

Sentence 2 — Explain what happens because of it 📖

Because of this, the story ________________________________.

(What changes or moves forward?)

✏️ WRITE BOTH SENTENCES ON THE ✏️ LINES ON YOUR ORGANIZER.
(These sentences go directly into your draft.)

Poll

Slide 10 — Gateway Poll 🗳️

Did you finish BOTH explanation sentences?

TURN IN YOUR SEAT AND READ YOUR QUOTES AND EXPLANATIONS. DO THEY MAKE SENSE?

• Yes — I finished both

• I finished one

• I need more time

​Slide 11 — Write Your Closing 🧠📖
Your closing will be TWO sentences.

Sentence 1 — Describe Perseus’s character 🧠

Think about everything you wrote above.

Starter:

Based on his response, Perseus is ___________________________.

Character Trait Ideas 🧠
brave · determined · focused · courageous · cowardly · lazy

Think about what the story teaches.

Starter:

Perseus’s response in this story teaches the lesson that _______________________________.

Theme Ideas 🧠

• bravery means acting even when afraid

• staying focused helps you reach your goal

• resisting temptation leads to success

• courage helps overcome challenges

​Sentence 2 — Explain the lesson or message 📖