Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

A Story of Epic Proportions: What Makes a Poem an Epic?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners analyze the epic poem form and its roots in oral tradition. For this epic poetry lesson, students research the epic hero cycle and recognize the pattern of events and elements. Learners analyze the patterns embedded in the stories.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

The Epic Poem in History

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Teachers can help students understand the connection between epic poetry and modern stories and songs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lessons of the Indian Epics: Following the Dharma

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how the epic poem, "Ramayana" teaches dharma, one of Hinduism's most important tenets. They read the abridged version of the "Ramayana," identify the main plot points, complete a chart, and write an essay on a moral...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beowulf: Songs of Ancient Heroes

For Teachers 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The Beauty of Anglo-Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to Beowulf

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
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...
PPT
Curated OER

Western Medieval European Poetry and Literature

For Teachers 11th - 12th
One of the Common Core standards requires learners to make connections between literature or media of the past and the present. Provided here, are key elements found in medieval poetry and literature that are connected to several more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Project Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh and Leadership

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Do leaders need to be more moral than followers? Does power corrupt? Can anyone be a leader? Begin a study of leadership with a reading of excerpts from the Epic of Gilgamesh. After examining the ancient Mesopotamian hero, class members...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archetypal Images and Polarities

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a rather esoteric resource that presents the archetypes found in “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” and would be appropriate for a college-level psychology or literature class, or as a teacher resource. Considered the “world’s oldest...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

For Students 12th
The epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight follows the traditional themes of chivalry, gallantry, and heroism. After reading the poem, quiz your readers with these ten multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1900 America: Historical Voices, Poetic Visions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the United States at the turn of the century. Using primary source documents, they interpret them within a specific historical context. Using this information, they write a poem with metaphors and a specific meter...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Epic Battle Rages On

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze political cartoons about the election of 2008 and respond to 3 talking point questions.
PPT
Curated OER

Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Fire of London Edition

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A baker left a cooker on and caused the great fire of london in 1666. To quiz kids on this epic event, you can play this version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. They'll be challenged with thirteen questions. Interactive game play...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Poetry and Characters

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate historical context by reading poetry.  In this language arts lesson plan, students discover the work of Michael Longley and examine his poem "Ceasefire."  Students identify the sonnets used in the piece and...
PPT
Curated OER

Romanticism: The Artistic Expression of Liberalism

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
The epic clash of reason and emotion comes to life in this informative presentation. Detailing the period of Romanticism in 19th century Europe, these slides contain pictures of the most famous pieces of art during this period. Viewers...
Lesson Plan
Curriculum Project

Gandhi

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Introduce class members to Gandhi's non-violent, non-cooperative ideas with Richard Attenborough's 1982 bio-epic. The film traces the experiences that gave shape to Gandhi's ideas and the actions that eventually lead to the end of...
Activity
University of California

Contact among Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, and Other Societies

For Teachers 6th Standards
Trade has always been a global affair. Explore what global trade meant for ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Kushites using a collection of documents from the historic societies. By examining literary works such as the Epic of...
Lesson Plan
Time Warp Trio

See You Later, Gladiator!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians take a look at the age of gladiators, and the cultural atmosphere present when they staged their epic battles. Pupils pretend to be reporters and write newspaper articles about one of the events they stage. Then,...
Lesson Plan
The Alamo

The Alamo

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Remember the Alamo! Scholars investigate the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. Using models, maps, quotes, biographies, and the Oath of Allegiance, the Alamo comes to life as the stories of those who fought and died in...
Lesson Plan
National WWII Museum

Eisenhower on D-Day: Comparing Primary and Secondary Sources

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Dwight D. Eisenhower's message to troops for D-Day is iconic. Individuals examine Eisenhower's words and compare that to historians' understanding of the epic events of that day using primary sources, an essay, and a Venn diagram to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Odyssey: A Deeper Appreciation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars read "The Odyssey" and identify the ways it relates to their own lives. As a class, they also examine the history of the story and identify the various Greek gods and goddesses. In groups, they focus on the geography of...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Masculine Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ramayana: Showing your Dharma

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify characters and events from the Ramayana. They discuss ways in whcih the images convey non-verbal information and messages. They discuss similarities and differences in the visual and verbal tellings of the Ramayana.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Hero? Heroism in Greek Mythology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the tales of Greek mythology and discuss what it means to be a hero. They associate acts of epic heroism with philanthropy noting that these characters acted in a larger than life manner to secure the common good.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Prelude To Beowulf

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...

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