The Hobbit
published on: 2/28/2003
Contributing Teacher(s): Kathy Poggemoeller,
Subject Area: Communication Arts/Reading/literature, Communication Arts/Writing/research,
Grade Range: Middle Grades (6-8)
Grade Best Taught: Sixth Grade
Materials Needed: See each lesson for materials needed
Objective:
Essential Question:
Instructional Strategy: Prior Knowledge & Connections
Process Standards: Goal 1.6 discover and evaluate patterns and relationships in information, ideas and
structures
Content Standards: CA2,
G.L.E.:
CA - Re - 1 - E - 06
(Reading, Develop and apply skills and strategies to the reading process, Vocabulary, Grade 6.)
Time Allowance: 7 lesson unit - see each lesson for time allowance
Description: This seven-lesson unit uses J.R.R. Tolkien's book, The Hobbit, to perform a variety of
Communication Arts objectives--Tolkien, fairy tale, runes
Comments:
Classroom Component:
Lesson 1 - Introduction to "The Hobbit"
This lesson will introduce Tolkien's "The Hobbit". Students will listen to a reading of "Rapunzel" and
identify the elements of a fairy tale.
Instructions: Students listen attentively as the teacher reads aloud "Rapunzel". Conduct a brief discussion
about the story. Using an overhead transparency of a chart of the elements of a fairy tale, the class discusses
and identifies these elements found in "Rapunzel". Display poster with the seven elements. Answers are
written on the transparency. Introduce six vocabulary words from "The Hobbit" allowing students to
predict meanings. Provide examples of each with the appropriate part of speech.
Pre-Assessment Instruction: Define a folktale and review the carious types including fairy tales, myths,
legends, and tall tales.
Homework Assignment: Students copy vocabulary sentences and study definitions.
Vocabulary Words for "The Hobbit"
1.
flustered - nervous or upset; confused
2.
morsel - a small piece or bite of food
3.
haughty - proud and vain to the point of arrogance
4.
expedition - a journey undertaken by an organized group with a definite purpose
5.
throng - a large group of people gathered or crowded closely together
6.
scowled - wrinkled or contracted the brow in an expression of anger or disapproval
_
Lesson 2 - Pre-Reading Strategy
Students will review vocabulary words and their use in "The Hobbit". A pre-reading strategy will be used
to begin the new story and background information about Tolkien will be provided. Students will read "The
Hobbit".
Instructions for Administration:
Day 1: Display a poster of pictures from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Assign a
written response to the following questions; "From these pictures what predictions can
you make about the upcoming story? What do you think it will be about?" Share and
discuss responses. Begin reading "The Hobbit", reading text p. 424.
Day 2: Conduct a discussion about the accuracy of student predictions and pose another
question. "What would you do if dozens of unexpected guests arrived at your doorstep
and expected to be fed?" The class should share and discuss written responses. Students
should finish reading "The Hobbit" silently while the teacher monitors.
Pre-Assessment Instruction: Explain that "The Hobbit" uses elements of Celtic, Nordic, and English
folklore to create an elaborate fantasy words, with its own history, geography, and language. Provide
background information about Tolkien and the inspiration for "The Hobbit". Tapestry p.498. Review nouns
to prepare for homework.
Homework Assignment: Noun web worksheet #49 using one vocabulary word.
Lesson 3 - Step Organizer for Main Idea
The class will discuss worksheet #51 and list the main idea of "The Hobbit"
Instructions for Administration: Students go over worksheet #49, by discussing the qualities of the three
vocabulary words that are nouns and provide examples of each. The class works together in small groups to
list the main ideas of "The Hobbit" using a Step Organizer worksheet. The teacher carefully supervises the
group activity.
Pre-Assessment Instruction: Conduct a review of the story before group activity. Set guidelines for
behavior in cooperative groups.
Homework Assignment: Study vocabulary definitions.
Lesson 4 - Suffix Scavenger Hunt
This task will assess the student's recognition of words that contain suffixes. The students will demonstrate
their knowledge by discovering words with the same suffixes and be able to recognize both the base word
and the suffix. They will use that word in an original sentence.
Instructions for Administration: Provide students with the student prompt and scoring guide. Read the
prompt aloud so students understand what to do. Go over the scoring guide so the students know what a
quality flip book involves.
Pre-Assessment Instruction: Discuss that many words contain suffixes that change the meaning of a base
word. Students should have prior instruction on common suffixes and be able to recognize them. The
students should also have prior instruction on recognizing base words.
Suffix Scavenger Hunt
Name ____________________________
Homeroom ________________________
_
Suffix - a word part added to the end of a base word to change its meaning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ible, able - able to or capable of being; worthy of being; likely to (example: predictable)
ty, ity - state, quality or condition of being (example: stupidity)
ic, ical - act; process or result of; being or like (example: musical)
ness - quality, state or condition or being (example: nastiness)
ous - like, having, or full of (example: wondrous)
Create a flip book that contains three suffixes. Choose three suffixes from the list above and put each on a
separate page of the flip book.
Find two words in "The Hobbit" for each of the three suffixes. Write these words on the correct page.
Write the base word and the suffix on the correct page in the flip book.
Include a sentence using the word on each page. The sentence may be an original sentence or a sentence
from the story. It must be used correctly.
Suffix Flip Book Construction
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Stack two pieces of plain white paper on top of each other.
Lay the pieces on your desk vertically
Slide the top sheet up one inch.
Fold your top two sheets down to create four equal layers.
Use two staples close to the fold to hold your flip book together.
Make a title page on the first flap. Please include your name.
On each layer write one suffix that you have chosen to find. Include the base word, suffix, and an
appropriate sentence.
Suffix Scavenger Hunt Scoring Guide
4 points






I have clearly identified one suffix for each of the three pages.
I have located a word with each suffix in "The Hobbit" and correctly placed six words for the three
suffixes.
I have correctly identified the six base words and their suffixes.
I have used each word correctly in a complete sentence.
My flip book contains no errors in spelling.
My flip book is neatly constructed and written making it each to present.
3 points






I have clearly identified two out of the three suffixes for the flip book.
I have located in "The Hobbit" and correctly placed five words for the three suffixes.
I have correctly identified the five base words and their suffixes.
I have used two of the words in a complete sentence.
My flip book contains one error in spelling.
My flip book may need more attention to the construction or writing making it easier to present.
2 points






I have clearly identified one out of the three suffixes for the flip book.
I have located in "The Hobbit" and correctly placed four words for the three suffixes.
I have correctly identified the four base words and their suffixes.
I have used one of the words in a complete sentence.
My flip book contains two errors in spelling.
My flip book may need more attention to the construction and writing making it easier to present.
1 point

I was unable to correctly identify three suffixes for the flip book.





I have located in "The Hobbit" three words or less for the three suffixes.
I have correctly identified the three base words and their suffixes.
I have written my suffixes in sentences that are run-on or sentence fragments.
My flip book contains three or more errors in spelling.
My flip book needs more attention to the construction and writing. It is difficult to present.
My score _____________________________My teacher's score
______________________
Lesson 5 - Fairy Tales
Students will identify the elements of a fairy tale found in "The Hobbit". They will also practice their
writing skills using a framed paragraph.
Instructions for Administration:__Students are given a chart with the seven elements of a fairy tale. The
teacher uses a transparency of the same chart on an overhead projector. The class identifies the first two or
three elements found in "The Hobbit" and answers are placed on the transparency. Students complete the
rest of the chart independently. The class will also be given a framed paragraph of "The Hobbit" and asked
to fill in appropriate responses. A picture of a scene from the story or a picture of their favorite character
should be included.
Assessment:__No formal grade will be taken but all students will be expected to complete the assignment.
Framed paragraphs will be displayed in the hallway.
Elements of a Fairy Tale
Name _________________________________
Homeroom _____________________________
The fairy tale is one type of folktale. The elements or characteristics commonly found in fairy tales are
listed below. Please list examples of these from "The Hobbit". Some characteristics of a fairy tale may not
be found in "The Hobbit" and should be left blank.
1.
demonstrates how brave people
behave in a world of magic
2.
a brave hero rescues a helpless
creature
3.
character that is all good
4.
character that is all bad
5.
a task which will bring a
reward
6.
a magic object to protect or
help the main character
7.
a happy ending for the main
character
Name ________________________
_
"The Hobbit"
In a strange land known as "Middle Earth", a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is torn between the
desire to explore the world and the more sensible urge to remain in his comfortable home.
Bilbo is a typical hobbit with
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________ .
His life is forever changed by a visit from
________________________________________.
The wizard brings a succession of _______________ dwarfs, who make themselves at
home by ____________________________________________________________.
The dwarfs convene a meeting in which the mild-mannered hobbit learns that he is expected
to _______________________________________________________ .
This was a dilemma for Bilbo because
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________ .
As Bilbo lay in bed thinking of what to do, he could still hear Thorin humming to himself
about their adventure.
Name:_______________________
Weehawken Activity
Slotting in Clauses
The Hobbit
Middle Earth is a magical land in which:
Bilbo Baggins is a typical hobbit who:
Great Grand-Uncle Bullroarer was a remarkable hobbit that:
The evil Smaug was a dragon who:
The dwarves' expedition was a journey in which:
Note: Students use sentences to compose a paragraph about the characters of Middle Earth. Teacher
provides topic sentence.
Lesson 6 - Vocabulary Quiz
Students will use a dictionary or thesaurus to find relationships between vocabulary words and other words
in the English language. A test over the six vocabulary words will be given.
Instructions for Administration:__Students select two vocabulary words to research. They will find a
dictionary or thesaurus containing synonyms, antonyms and adjectives describing the words. They will also
use the word in an original sentence. Completed work will be shared in a classroom discussion. Students
will also take a fill-in-the blank quiz over the six vocabulary words. They will be expected to complete the
work with no assistance.
Pre-Assessment Instruction: A brief lesson to review synonyms, antonyms, and adjectives must be
conducted before attempting the word pyramid. A short game reviewing vocabulary definitions will be
conducted before the quiz.
Assessment:__A grade will be taken over the vocabulary words including using the word "expedition"
correctly in an original sentence.
Vocabulary Quiz on "The Hobbit"
Name _________________________________
Homeroom _____________________________
flustered
haughty
throng
morsel
expedition
scowled
Fill in the blank with the appropriate vocabulary word.
1.
Bilbo had hardly turned the knob before they were all inside. Already it had become a
_______________________.
2.
It was not the correct thing to say, but "they have begun to arrive", had
_______________________ him badly.
3.
He _______________________ so angrily at Gloin that the dwarf huddled back in his chair.
4.
Bilbo found himself scuttling off to the cellar to fetch two beautiful round seed-cakes which he
had baked that afternoon for his after-supper _______________________.
5.
Thorin indeed was very _______________________ , and said nothing about service; but poor
Mr. Baggins said he was sorry so many times that at last he grunted "pray don't mention it," and
stopped frowning.
6.
Use the word expedition in a sentence of your own. Please include context clues to indicate the
meaning of the word.
Expedition:
Lesson 7 - Enrichment Activity
translate the symbols into a sensible phrase in English
Instructions for Administration:__Students listen attentively while the teacher reads aloud a section of
"The Hobbit". The selection should include Thror's map and the hidden treasure to build anticipation to
decode the message on the map. After the selection is read, students may work alone or with a partner to
translate the symbols into English. At the end of the period the secret message will be revealed and shared.
Pre-Assessment Instruction:__Explain that the word "rune" comes from a Gothic word meaning "secret"
because few people could read them. Review instructions to the worksheet and the meaning of the symbols,
such as, dots are used to separate words and single runes can represent two modern letters.
Homework Assignment:__Students use the symbols to write their own secret message.
Writing in Runes Worksheet
Name _________________________________
runes - characters in the earliest alphabet used by ancient Scandinavians and AngloSaxons. It is a Gothic word meaning "secret".
Use the runic alphabet to translate the writing on Thror's map. Dots are used to separate words.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
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For additional information contact :
Kathy Poggemoeller
Vineland Elem.
DeSoto 73
(636) 586-1010
EMAIL: poggemoeller.kathy@dragon.desoto.k12.mo.us