In which John Green teaches you about Vikings! That's right, one of our most requested subjects, the Vikings, right here on Crash Course. So what's the deal with Vikings? Well, the stuff you've heard about them may not be true. The...

Odin, the king of Asgard, was plagued by nightmares. Three fearsome figures haunted his dreams: a massive, writhing shadow; a shambling, rotting corpse; and worst of all, a monstrous beast with a deadly bite. Though their true forms were...

Baldur was the gentlest and most beloved being in all of Asgard. But lately, he had been plagued by gruesome visions foretelling his own imminent death. Determined to protect her son from these grim prophecies, Queen Frigg travelled...

Loki the mischief-maker, writhes in Thor’s iron grip. The previous night, he’d snuck up on Thor’s wife and shorn off her beautiful hair. To fix what he’d done, Loki rushes to the dwarves and tricks them into making gifts for the gods....

In which John Green teaches you about Vikings! That's right, one of our most requested subjects, the Vikings, right here on Crash Course. So what's the deal with Vikings? Well, the stuff you've heard about them may not be true. The...

This week, we're headed north. To check out the gods of the Northmen. Or the Norse. That's right, we're talking Thor, Loki, Freyr, Freya, Odin, Frigg, Baldr, and Tyr. And Fenrir. And the Frost Giants. There's a lot to cover here, and...

New ReviewProfessor Hyll presents the story of Ragnarok: the Norse apocalypse and end of the world. He also explains the cyclical nature of the Norse Myths and how the end is the beginning in a constant cycle of birth and rebirth.

New ReviewProfessor Hyll tells us the story of Loki's children: Fenrir the giant wolf, Jormungandr the World Serpent and Hel, goddess of the Underworld who all play pivotal roles in Ragnarok, the Norse Apocalypse.

New ReviewProfessor Hyll presents the story of Ymir the First Giant and how the Norse people believed the world and universe was created.

It’s the end of the world as we know it. Or is it? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we explore end-of-the-world predictions across time and faith traditions. It turns out that, more often than not, those predictions have been...

Pupil outcome: I can understand the context of ‘How to Train Your Dragon'. Key learning points: - ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is an illustrated chapter book. - The text draws influences from Viking history, Norse mythology and folklore. -...

Pupil outcome: I can understand the resolution of the novel. Key learning points: - Martha and her mother resolve their disagreement. - Stig and Gandalf are revealed to be alive. - Martha's mother decides to move so she can tend to the...

Pupil outcome: I can select excellent quotations when planning writing on 'The Twisted Tree'. Key learning points: - Topic sentences state a paragraph's main idea. - Topic sentences should develop and maintain your thesis. - Each...

Pupil outcome: I can explain how tension is built in 'The Twisted Tree'. Key learning points: - The novel gets more frightening and tense as it progresses, because of the increasing threat to Martha's life. - Writers often raise tension...

Pupil outcome: I can analyse how Burge has characterised the draugr as a fearsome creature. Key learning points: - A range of metaphors are used to describe the draugr. - The draugr is associated with death to heighten its terror and...

Pupil outcome: I can plan an effective article reporting on Mormor's death. Key learning points: - Effective planning starts with a 'brain dump' where you recall as much relevant information about the task as possible. - Language devices...

Pupil outcome: I can understand the plot and how the villain is introduced. Key learning points: - Martha thinks the dead have escaped from the tree in the form of a draugr. - Martha can see faces appearing in the shadows around the...

Pupil outcome: I can continue to understand and recall the plot, as well as explore some of the key themes. Key learning points: - The books in Martha’s room move on their own, introducing an element of the supernatural. - Ravens help to...

Pupil outcome: I can understand how Burge uses Norse mythology to create a terrifying villain. Key learning points: - Odin is a Norse god who is associated with wisdom, poetry and death. - Odin sacrificed his eye in order to gain...

Pupil outcome: I can express my ideas about 'The Twisted Tree' with well-structured writing. Key learning points: - Our writing should be structured in a clear and logical way with our reader in mind. - Effective writing will include an...

Pupil outcome: I can continue to understand the plot and track Martha and Stig's relationship. Key learning points: - Martha's dream tells her that she can only save Mormor from torment if she goes to the tree. - Martha kisses Stig but...

Pupil outcome: I can understand the plot and some of the Norse mythology that it includes. Key learning points: - Odin is the god of wisdom who sacrificed an eye for greater understanding. - Martha is believed to be a descendant of Odin....

Discovering Norway:Experience the joyous landscapes of Norway, a land of stunning fjords and smiling faces. Explore the dramatic beauty of Preikestolen and the charm of Otter Island, before indulging in the culinary delights of Oslo's...

Brunanburh, 937 ⚔ Forgotten battle that made England