Curated OER
Beowulf: Lesson Plan and Supplementary Materials
A reading of Beowulf: Dragon Slayer, Rosemary Sutcliff's retelling of the classic epic poem, launches an exploration of what it means to be a hero, a noble leader, and a great warrior. A great way to introduce middle schoolers to this...
Curated OER
Monsters
Do monsters really exist? Find out what your class thinks with these discussion questions prior to reading Beowulf. Incorporate music and a video clip into the anticipatory set to engage your learners. Take a day to search online for...
Farmington Public Schools
British Literature Honors: Beowulf
Whether new to teaching Beowulf or an experience pro, you'll find much to like in a richly detailed unit plan that asks readers to consider how the epic represents the difficulty in defining good and evil but also reflects the changing...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Beowulf
Beowulf, the Old English epic hero, comes alive again in the activities found in a teacher's guide designed to accompany a reading of the classic poem.
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Beauty of Anglo-Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to Beowulf
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 includes asking...
Curated OER
Beowulf
High schoolers complete literature analysis activities for Beowulf. They read lines from the poem and complete character analysis activities. In addition, they write and share a boast modeled on the text and then create heroes and...
Curated OER
Beowulf: Songs of Ancient Heroes
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...
Spark Notes
Beowulf by Anonymous: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Beowulf. Students may check some of their answers online.
Curated OER
Beowulf Mini-Mock Trial Manual
In this Beowulf activity, learners identify a crime and prepare the prosecuting and defense case to present to the class "jury." Students must follow court procedure and use court terminology as they present their case.
Curated OER
Emerging Heroes
Twelfth graders define what a hero is and watch a video. In this hero lesson, 12th graders discuss the characteristics of a hero and list heroes and their attributes. Students read the poem Beowulf and identify characteristics of its...
Curated OER
A Prelude To Beowulf
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...
Curated OER
Senior English Beowulf Test
The first thirty-seven questions on this assessment check for knowledge of the events in Beowulf. The short answer prompt asks readers to identify five characteristics of an epic and to give examples from Beowulf in support. Finally,...
Curated OER
Beowulf Lesson Plan
Young scholars analyze the text of Beowulf. In this epic poetry lesson, students explore the themes and imagery in the text to evaluate their meaning. Young scholars analyze the Old English language and examine the cultural and...
Curated OER
The Concept of the Hero
Students explore the symbolic implications for the concept of the hero with a focus on the Beowulf theme. In this hero concept lesson, students find specific examples of monsters from Beowulf to complete the chart. Students list the...
Curated OER
Scops, Rappers and You: Historians with Style!
Students examine the epic poem Beowulf. In this analyzing poetry lesson, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Students then research an influential...
Curated OER
Beowulf
Learners read selections from Beowulf and summarize the poetry selections in their own words. Students discuss the poem, then create a modern version of Beowulf by using their own words and their own poetic form.
Curated OER
Using Chuang Tzu in a British Literature Curriculum
Students read and compare/contrast translations of Chuang Tzu and "Beowulf." They complete handouts, answer discussion questions, identify themes and symbols, and complete various writing assignments.
Curated OER
Could You Repeat That?
Students participate in an oral story telling activity designed to show how story embellishments occur. They read "Beowulf" and identify incongruities that suggest additions and embellishments over the years.
Curated OER
Beowulf: Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students search for 22 terms related to the book Beowulf. Terms include names, actions, and creatures.
Curated OER
Putting on Beowulf
Students read "Putting on Beowulf" then, in separate groups, choose a segment of Beowulf to perform. They prepare a performance either "live" or on videotape. After listening and watching each performance, Students evaluate each...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: A Prelude to Beowulf
Before reading the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, "Beowulf," learners should explore the Dark Ages through researching the fundamental characteristics of the art and literature produced during this period. This website provides links for doing...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Anglo Saxon Homepage
This student resource site provides links to Anglo-Saxon/Old English literature, culture, and heritage.
University of Kentucky
Electronic Beowulf: Studying Beowulf
This website is a new version of Electronic Beowulf which provides a searchable website for translations of Beowulf and other sources of information. This page explains how to use the site and provides links to information to help in...
Other
Alcyone Systems: "Beowulf," the Classic Epic
This Harvard Classics site has the entire text of "Beowulf" from the 1910 P.F. Collier and Son edition. Well organized so you can click easily to get to the "Beowulf Prelude," "Beowulf: XLIII," or anything between.