By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov
Wearing a crown and carrying a staff, both made of black construction paper, 4th-grade student James Smith brought Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, to life for his classmates.
The skit was part of a presentation in Lauren Coomes’ 4th-grade class at Estes Elementary School (Owensboro Independent). Her students were reading The Lightning Thief, the first novel in the popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, out loud in class together.
Coomes said the students were struggling with some of the terms mentioned in the book, like Achilles heel. And they didn’t have a lot of knowledge about the gods and goddesses mentioned in the book.
To fill in the knowledge gap, Coomes had her students work in groups of 2-3 and research a Greek god or goddess. They then had to give a short presentation to the class and were encouraged to include illustrations, costumes and skits.
“It’s been a fun thing, but it has also helped them out in understanding the references in The Lightning Thief,” she said.
![Fourth-grade student James Smith played the role of Zeus during a presentation to his class during Lauren Coomes' class at Estes Elementary School (Owensboro Independent). Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150205EstesEl6333-584x389.jpg)
Fourth-grade student James Smith played the role of Zeus during a presentation to his class during Lauren Coomes’ class at Estes Elementary School (Owensboro Independent).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015
![Madison Veach, Kate Maine and Kiara Harris laugh during a presentation about Zeus. Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150205EstesEl6328-584x389.jpg)
Madison Veach, Kate Maine and Kiara Harris laugh during a presentation about Zeus.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015
![Maddy Slaton and Marissa Sowders present on the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, Athena. Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150205EstesEl6338-584x389.jpg)
Maddy Slaton and Marissa Sowders present on the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, Athena.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015
![Tobias Johnson laughs as his partner Trent Bryan displays the Poseidon mask they made for their presentation. Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150205EstesEl6419-584x389.jpg)
Tobias Johnson laughs as his partner Trent Bryan displays the Poseidon mask they made for their presentation.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015
![Students volunteer to go next during presentations on Greek mythology. Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150205EstesEl6349-584x389.jpg)
Students volunteer to go next during presentations on Greek mythology.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 5, 2015
It was a fun project
Great Job Ms.. Coomes. Your lesson really engaged the children and forced them to think outside their box.
that was fun