This term we are studying Anglo Saxon Britain and I am trying to make the topic as engaging and
absorbing as possible. To this end I have decided that homework tasks will be more open ended,
variable and within the children’s control. To ensure that momentum is maintained with this different
approach, each task will have a value in points. Each child must achieve points every week (i.e. they
have to complete ONE task) but how they gain them is up to them. As their points accumulate the
children will be able to spend them in our “Anglo Saxon” classroom. Evidence of a task must be handed
in as usual each Tuesday. The weekly spelling and maths homework will still be given out as normal.
As always, please ask if you need any support for any of the activities. I would appreciate all
comments, positive and negative, as to how engaging and useful this type of homework may be! Please,
please don’t panic – this is a huge list of activities but only one needs to be done per week. Your child
does not have to do them all!
For 2 points

Make a list of objects that: were used by Anglo Saxons and are still used today.
were used by Anglo Saxons but are not normally used today.

What objects were used by the Romans but not the Anglo Saxons?

Create an Anglo Saxon timeline.

Create a piece of Anglo Saxon art (would it normally be on paper?)

Draw/paint a picture of something from Anglo Saxons times e.g. an Anglo Saxon banquet, boat,
village or funeral. Write a caption to go with it.

Write a secret message in Anglo Saxon runes.

Draw and describe an Anglo Saxon god.
For 5 points

Write a report that explains where the Anglo Saxons came from and why they are called this.
Include useful extra information about their homeland and history, e.g. maps neighbouring
tribes.

Write a short newspaper report announcing the invasion and settlement of Britain by the Angles
& Saxons (include a catchy headline!) Decide whether you’re an Anglo Saxon or British
newspaper first.

Write a diary entry from someone in a British village or town which is taken over by the Anglo
Saxons. You could write this each week to produce a kind of historical story.

Write a Monk’s diary. This could be a weekly activity.

Dress up as someone from Anglo Saxon times. Have your photo taken and write a description to
go with it.

Create a leaflet about an Anglo Saxon exhibit for a museum.

Make some Anglo Saxon armour and a helmet - research the style and colours carefully.

Find an interesting paragraph about Anglo Saxon life in a book or on the internet. Make notes
and write about it in your own words. Don’t forget to write down where you found this
information (your source).

Design an Anglo Saxon maze or pattern.

Write a character portrait for King Arthur, King Alfred, St. Augustine or another historic
character.

Mint your own Anglo Saxon coins.

Anglo Saxons loved riddles. Can you find and record any of their favourites?

Design and make an Anglo Saxon outfit for a slave, villager or a rich person.

Create an outdoor game for Anglo Saxon children to play.

Plan a trip across UK visiting only towns with Anglo Saxon names.

Play a game imagining the Anglo Saxons invading - how would you feel as an Anglo Saxon? How
were the Anglo Saxons organised? How would you feel as a Briton?
For 8 points

Make a 3D model of an item from Anglo Saxon times.

Create a mini encyclopaedia of Anglo Saxon gods, including drawings and information such as:
descriptions, personalities, background stories, festivals & feasts.

Write a report on an aspect of Anglo Saxon life that interests you (e.g. games, carpentry,
farming, transport).

Write a food diary for one day as if you were member of an Anglo Saxon household.

Find an Anglo Saxon recipe. Create this recipe and take a photo to show your creation (Write
the recipe to go with your photo in case others would like to have a try).

Write a report on an Anglo Saxon feast or festival. Does it still exist in any form today?

Make your own Anglo Saxon board game – with rules. Beat a parent!

Design an advert for an apprentice in a specialised job (e.g. blacksmith, weaver, reeve).

Write your own Anglo Saxon poem (for example a kenning).

Write your own riddles.

Create a work sheet of maths word problems for Anglo Saxon children.

Write a description about walking to the great hall of an important Anglo Saxon leader for your
first day at work. (think about the early morning sounds and smells of the village as well
as your emotions as you approach the huge building and your new job)

Imagine you are a member of an Anglo Saxon invasion party. Write a letter home to your family
(you could do this each week, describing events such as the boat ride across the North
Sea, your landing and what happens in this new country).
For 10 points

Write a report on the reasons for the Anglo Saxon settlement/invasion of the British Isles.

Write your own Old English phrasebook.

Create a piece of writing in Old English. It could be a poem, a short story, a description or even
a shopping list! Provide a translation on another sheet of paper.

With a helper conduct an interview with an Anglo Saxon leader. Before the interview carefully
put together the list of questions you might ask them. Perhaps think about what you want
to know about their life, the decisions they’ve had to make, how they feel about Briton
and its people, and their plans for the future. You could be either the interviewer or the
interviewee. Record the interview on paper, as sound, or even as video!

Try weaving or dyeing using Anglo Saxon methods. Write instructions for others to follow.

Read a book with an Anglo Saxon theme (Beowulf, King Arthur…) and write a review. I have book
review sheets. Who would you recommend the book to? Viking novels will also give an
excellent sense of the times (e.g. Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece & Jeremy Strong’s
books, as well as Terry Gilliam’s “Erik the Viking”)

With permission, watch a film or TV program with an Anglo Saxon theme (e.g. Beowulf, Monty
Python, The Sword In The Stone or the BBC’s Merlin) Write a review including your
feelings on how historically accurate it is. This is probably only worth doing once you feel
that you have a good understanding of Anglo Saxon life, so that you can spot excellent
details and unfortunate mistakes.

Write a story with an Anglo Saxon theme, maybe something linked to an object. This could be
set in the present day or in the past. An artefact in a museum or your home could prove
to be a gateway to the past…

Research and learn an Anglo Saxon song or dance.

Write an Anglo Saxon play. This could be performed and videoed for the class to enjoy.
You can create your own ideas for projects - please discuss these with me to decide how many points
they are worth and whether I can help. Good Luck and enjoy!!
Some useful weblinks:
Anglo Saxon Names
Glossary
Early British Kingdoms For Kids
St Carranog (re Dunster & King Arthur)
Mega Anglo Saxon Site
SKILLS:
Anglo Saxon Website 1
Lucet weaving
Runes
Nordic Gods & Rune Translator
Recipes & Games (re-enactment site)
Beowulf For Beginners
GAMES:
Your Name In Runes
Taefl
History of Invasion (inc. details on Wessex)
Explore An Anglo-Saxon Interactive Village
Nine Men’s Morris
Wichamstow – virtual village – High ability info.
Fox and Geese
Anglo Saxon Life – Teacher Facts
Viking Raiders Game
Massive Link Site – Teacher Links
Anglo Saxon Word List – Originals of English words
Old English Vocabulary
Old English Vocabulary
Etymology – linking English, Germanic, Saxon…
History of English Language
Anglo Saxon Phrasebook
Viking Non Fiction Reading List:
The Angles, Saxons and Vikings had
many similarities in their cultures, just as
you have similarities with the person you
sit next to in class. These books are based
on the Vikings but will help your
understanding of the Anglo Saxons. Just
remember the Anglo Saxons weren’t
Vikings, just as you are not the person
sitting next to you!