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...
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.
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
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
Anglo-Saxon Period: An Introduction
Students read information about Anglo-Saxon rulers and literary techniques, then complete a worksheet to help them review. Students take notes about the oral tradition, Anglo-Saxon literary terms, and Anglo-Saxon poetry. Students create...
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
'Hastings' and the English Language
Follow the development of the English language from its Anglo-Saxon roots. Various Germanic, Roman, and French words helped form our English vocabulary and are incorporated into this quiz. See how well you know the beginnings of English...
Curated OER
Primary History: The Anglo Saxons
In this Anglo Saxon worksheet, students are given a bordered paper to write their own manuscript about a special event.
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
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.
Curated OER
A Prelude To Beowulf
Students study the literature and literary techniques of the early Middle Ages, thus preparing students to read Beowulf with an appreciation for its artistry and beauty. Students solve online riddles, write riddles and study Anglo-Saxon...
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
Exploring Arthurian Legend
Young scholars investigate the evolution of the King Arthur stories and analyze them as a window into the culture that preserved them. They trace the legends through their earliest versions through medieval and Victorian times and into...
Curated OER
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon
Twelfth graders deduce the motivation behind and meaning of certain behaviors, conversations and poetry. Students analyze culture's value system. Students compare and contrast Anglo Saxon court culture, Medieval court culture, Medieval...
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
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...
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...
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
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
All About Kennings
The word kenning is derived from an old Norse phrase. It means, "to express a thing in terms of another." Pupils practice identifying and using kennings in the modern English language. This presentation was produced in Britain, and has a...
Curated OER
Emerging Heroes
Twelfth graders define what a hero is and watch a video. In this hero instructional activity, 12th graders discuss the characteristics of a hero and list heroes and their attributes. Students read the poem Beowulf and identify...
Curated OER
Life in Dorset
Students investigate a city in England by analyzing images on the web. In this listening comprehension lesson, students practice remembering details after hearing an audio tape about a city in England called Dorset. Students discuss what...