National Endowment for the Humanities
The Beauty of Anglo-Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to Beowulf
Riddle me this! What do kennings, caesura, and alliteration have to do with the Nowell Codex? Introduce class members to Anglo-Saxon poetry and prepare readers for a study of Beowulf with a series of activities that includes asking...
Curated OER
Anglo-Saxon Clothes
Fifth graders complete a research project. In this Anglo-Saxon instructional activity, 5th graders use the Internet to look at Anglo-Saxon clothes and discuss objects used by many Anglo-Saxons. Students work in groups to research...
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Reading Literature - The Ruin
Cross-comparison, the technique of focusing on two different texts with the same themes, motifs, events, etc., is employed in an exercise that asks groups to examine two different translations of “The Ruin,” a poem, written in Old...
Curated OER
Greek, Latin and Anglo-Saxon Roots to Better Vocabulary
Practice vocabulary skills with this word analysis lesson. Middle schoolers examine the roots of unfamiliar words and use their knowledge of roots to discern meaning through word analysis.
Curated OER
History of the English Language - Who Were the Anglo Saxons?
Students explore the Anglo Saxon world view, preparing them to fully explain Anglo Saxon literature.
Curated OER
English Literature: An Overview
Relate literary works and authors to the major themes of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 20th century. Working in groups, high schoolers will evaluate period philosophy, religion, and politics that influenced...
Curated OER
Greek, Latin and Anglo-Saxon Roots to Better Vocabulary
Seventh graders review the concepts of affixes and roots. They practice common Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon ones which are used to form many words in English. Students develop an awareness of the formation and evolution of words.
Curated OER
Primary History Extension Activity- Stories and Pastimes
In this Anglo-Saxon stories worksheet, students choose one or more of the 4 possible extension activities pertaining to the storytelling and pastimes of the Anglo-Saxon period.
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Beowulf
Beowulf, the Old English epic hero, comes alive again in the activities found in a teacher's guide designed to accompany a reading of the classic poem.
Curated OER
Forget The Dictionary!
Accessing Web sites and playing interactive word games enliven the study of Greek, Latin and Anglo-Saxon roots and affixes. Alas, the link to resources appears broken. Take some time to find game links.
Curated OER
Beowulf: Songs of Ancient Heroes
Introduce your class to epic heroes with these activities for Beowulf. After watching a video clip, taking notes on heroes, and tracking characteristics of heroism throughout Beowulf, class members retell an episode of Beowulf using a...
Curated OER
Reinvigorate Your Vocabulary
Eighth graders participate in a variety of activities to examine the meanings and roots of word derivatives and the meanings of words. Using context clues, they determine the meanings of words omitted from a passage and complete a prefix...
Curated OER
Could You Repeat That?
Students participate in an oral story telling activity designed to show how story embellishments occur. They read "Beowulf" and identify incongruities that suggest additions and embellishments over the years.
Curated OER
Primary History: Viking Raiders
In this Viking history activity, students complete 4 extension activities that help them learn about Viking raiders. Students research how monks lived, imagine a discussion between a monk and a Viking, draw Viking weapons, and brainstorm...
Curated OER
Literature: The Russian Cinderella
Fifth graders compare and contrast the Russian fairytale, Wee Little Havroshechka" with the Anglo-Saxon "Cinderella." In groups the discuss and then write their own versions of the Cinderella story. Students write about the differences...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The Tell-Tale Heart
Here's the perfect resource for anyone using Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story the "Tell-Tale Heart." The packet includes five worksheets that provide skills practice exercises focusing on spelling with consonant blends, words with...
Curated OER
Root Words
Eighth graders practice finding the meaning of words by analyzing the root word. In this root word lesson, 8th graders review a chart of roots, words, and meanings. Students find and list words that have the root of 'geo,' 'terra,' and...
Curated OER
Who Speaks Modern English and Where ?
Young scholars predict the widespread effects of the English language and consult on-line charts and text to verify their findings.
Curated OER
History of the English Language - Word Origins
Students use on-line resources to research their own name, determine its language origin and meaning. They take an on-line quiz to determine their "naming-style."