Beowulf's burial
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the events that occur after Beowulf’s death and explore his legacy for the Geats.
Key learning points
- After Beowulf's death, Wiglaf is furious at the warriors who deserted him.
- Beowulf is given a hero's funeral; the Geats are concerned about their future without him.
- The Geats show that, just as Beowulf wanted, they will remember him after his death.
- We aim to read with fluency and expression; repeated reading supports fluency.
Keywords
Fluency - reading a text accurately, smoothly and with appropriate speed
Expression - reading with feelings and emotion to bring the text to life
Legacy - the long-lasting impact of a person’s life on their culture and on other people
Speech - the communication of someone’s thoughts, through words, to an audience
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that reading with an angry expression involves shouting or being loud.
Model the fact that you can show an angry tone of voice using even a very quiet voice.
Teacher tip
Where pupils struggle with reading fluency at this level, pair them with a fluent reader so that fluent reading is being modelled (or if possible, take a guided group and have these pupils practise with you).
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why is Beowulf dying?
Q2.Match each piece of key vocabulary to the correct meaning.
steep
stash of treasure
promise
killing
Q3.Match each piece of key vocabulary to the correct meaning.
ashes
loose stones
burial mound
armour
Q4.Why does Beowulf want such a big barrow built?
Q5.How does Wiglaf help Beowulf kill the dragon?
Q6.True or false? Beowulf's body will be burned after his death.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following events happen after Beowulf's death?
Q2.Which of the following are placed in the barrow?
Q3.Match these words to their meanings.
given up
polished
harvest
pass something on
Q4.True or false? The Geats are concerned about their future without Beowulf.
Q5.Which of the following are part of Beowulf's legacy?
Q6.Roughly how long ago was Beowulf written?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Beowulf's burial, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Beowulf's burial, 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.