Year 6 - English
Beowulf begins his quest
'Beowulf': reading
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read and explore a translation and adaptation of the Old English epic poem 'Beowulf', written by Kevin Crossley-Holland. They explore the language and the context of the poem and then explore and discuss the chapters sequentially, gaining strong comprehension.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to outline the key events and characters in the first two chapters of 'Beowulf' and you can explain the impression given by particular language choices made by the author.
Key Notes
- 'Beowulf' is an epic poem set in Denmark and Sweden during the 500s CE and written in England in around 1000 CE.
- The story follows the heroic deeds of the warrior Beowulf. It was written in Old English by an unknown author.
- In translation, the text still includes archaic language due to its historical context.
- Beowulf, a Geat, volunteers to travel to Denmark to defeat Grendel, a monster who has been terrorising the Danes.
- The author makes specific language choices in order to give us particular impressions of characters and events.
Vocabulary To Learn
- epic poem: a long, narrative poem telling the story of an extraordinary individual
- hero: a protagonist (main character) with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
- archaic language: old-fashioned language that is no longer widely used today
- historical context: the time period in which a text is set
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find it challenging to understand archaic language.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'Beowulf' is an epic poem set in Denmark and Sweden during the 500s CE and written in England in around 1000 CE. The story follows the heroic deeds of the warrior Beowulf. It was written in Old English by an unknown author.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'epic poem'
a long, narrative poem telling the story of an extraordinary individual.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to understand archaic language. Correction: Use your teacher assessments to inform how you have pupils read; you may wish to have the majority of the class reading in mixed-ability pairs while you read to a small group, having them say the next word when you pause to ensure engagement.
More Lessons In This Unit
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