Beowulf among the Danes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can outline the key events in the third chapter of ‘Beowulf’ and I can gather evidence from the text to support an idea.
Key learning points
- Beowulf arrives at Heorot, the Danish court, and he explains his plan to defeat Grendel to King Hrothgar.
- One Dane, Unferth, confronts Beowulf and says that he stands no chance against Grendel.
- We are given the impression that Beowulf is very confident and that Unferth is very rude.
- We can find evidence within the text to support these impressions.
- Authors may consciously create impressions by dropping hints in a text.
Keywords
Prediction - an educated guess based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge
In role - when you take on the perspective of a character in a text
Impressions - initial feelings about a person, place or thing gained from reading a text
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to find evidence within the text to support an idea.
Ensure pupils have read or followed the text themselves before attempting the tasks so that they are familiar with where to look for information.
Teacher tip
Remind pupils that we are constantly forming impressions as we read - even if we are unaware of it. This is because our brains gather up the evidence we see in the text and use it to create impressions.
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 countries below feature in the plot of 'Beowulf'?
Q2.Which characters below live in Denmark at the start of 'Beowulf'?
Q3.Why does Beowulf want to travel to Denmark?
Q4.In what ways is the character of Beowulf like a classic hero?
Q5.What does the Danish coastguard say when Beowulf says he will defeat Grendel? Choose the best summary.
Q6.Why do you think the Danes ask the Geats to leave their weapons outside when they come to see King Hrothgar?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where does Beowulf meet Hrothgar?
Q2.How does Beowulf say he will fight Grendel?
Q3.Match each key term to the correct meaning.
fighting
not worried about consequences
armour covering the torso
container for alcohol
Q4.Put these events from Chapter 3 of 'Beowulf' in order.
Q5.Match each key term to the correct meaning.
noisy and energetic
bejewelled, decorated
large and strong
thick, long pillow
Q6.Which of the following are pieces of evidence that support the impression that Heorot is a pleasant place?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Beowulf among the Danes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Beowulf among the Danes, 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': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.