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...
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
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...
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
A Comparative Study on Heroes in Hindu and Anglo-Saxon Cultures
Students research Hindu and Anglo-Saxon religions and cultures. They research legends and myths about Hindu and Anglo-Saxon religious and cultural heroes. They write a comparison and contrast essay on the two cultures and their heroes.
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
Emerging Heroes
Twelfth graders define what a hero is and watch a video. In this hero lesson, 12th graders discuss the characteristics of a hero and list heroes and their attributes. Students read the poem Beowulf and identify...
Curated OER
The Concept of the Hero
Learners explore the symbolic implications for the concept of the hero with a focus on the Beowulf theme. In this hero concept lesson, students find specific examples of monsters from Beowulf to complete the chart. Learners list the...
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...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: A Prelude to Beowulf
Before reading the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, "Beowulf," students should explore the Dark Ages through researching the fundamental characteristics of the art and literature produced during this period. This website provides links for doing...
The English Teacher
The English Teacher: Beowulf Lesson Plans
These teaching notes for Beowulf provide a model for your own lesson plan and as a basic resource to study Beowulf. These notes can help you remember the pertinent points of Anglo-Saxon epic poem and help to deepen your understanding.