Retelling the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a detailed text map of the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon' and I can use this to orally retell the build-up, climax and resolution of this story.
Key learning points
- We are going to be writing a narrative retelling of most of the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon'.
- We will be covering the build-up, climax and resolution of this mini-story.
- To be ready to write, we need to know the events really well. To do this, we can create a text map.
- We can use the text map to rehearse saying the events we will cover.
- We can also use it for storytelling - saying the events out loud as if telling a story.
Keywords
Events - plot points or things that happen in a story or text
Text map - a visual representation of a series of events, where pictures represent events
Storytelling - saying an oral version of a story out loud, perhaps using notes or a text map to help
Common misconception
Pupils may find it difficult to remember the events of the narrative.
You may wish to work with a group of pupils to create a shared text map together, meaning it will be easier for you to rehearse with these pupils, modelling the process using a shared text map instead of individual ones.
Teacher tip
Give pupils repeated opportunities during any spare learning time to practise storytelling using their text maps, including during or after the next two lessons and before they come to write each section.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2013 Oxford Children’s Classics edition of ‘Beowulf’ written by Kevin Crossley-Holland and illustrated by Charles Keeping for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the below were true of warriors in Anglo-Saxon culture?
Q2.How did Anglo-Saxons show their respect for warriors?
Q3.Put the elements of the story structure in order.
Q4.How is 'Beowulf' best described?
Q5.Put the three mini-stories that make up 'Beowulf' in order.
Q6.Put the events from the final mini-story - Beowulf and the dragon - in order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which part of the story is being described here? 'A dragon attacks the stronghold and Beowulf is determined to defeat it himself.'
Q2.Which part of the story is being described here? 'Beowulf tries to kill the dragon, but can’t; he is clamped in the dragon’s jaws.'
Q3.What is the resolution in the story of Beowulf and the dragon?
Q4.Which event below follows this one? 'Beowulf saw the damage to the stronghold and he wanted to fight the dragon.'
Q5.Which of these are true of a text map?
Q6.What is the best way to use your text map to make writing easier?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Retelling the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Retelling the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Beowulf': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.