Beowulf Lesson Plan
Grade: 11
Area: Reading/Language Arts
Length of Lesson:
Goals:
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Students will be able to understand Old English literature and the epic poem
Beowulf.
Students will know characteristics of an epic poem.
Student will know culture, plot, and characters from Beowulf.
TEKS:
§110.33. (2) Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Theme and Genre. Students
analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about theme and genre in different
cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to
support their understanding. Students are expected to:
(A) determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words in
multiple content areas (e.g., science, mathematics, social studies, the arts) derived
from Latin, Greek, or other linguistic roots and affixes;
(D) recognize and use knowledge of cognates in different languages and of word
origins to determine the meaning of words;
§110.33. (8) Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Culture and History. Students
analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about the author's purpose in cultural,
historical, and contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to support their
understanding. Students are expected to analyze how the style, tone, and diction of a text
advance the author's purpose and perspective or stance.
§110.44. (7) Reading/comprehension. The student comprehends selections using a variety
of strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) establish and adjust purpose for reading such as to find out, to understand, to
interpret, to enjoy, and to solve problems;
(B) draw upon his/her own background to provide connection to texts;
(C) monitor his/her own reading strategies and make modifications when
understanding breaks down such as by rereading, using resources, and questioning;
(I) read silently with comprehension for a sustained period of time.
Instructional Objectives:
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Cognitive – The learner will gain facts of knowledge about Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon
culture, and epic poems.
Materials:
Beowulf Rap CD
Beowulf Poem
Beowulf Worksheets
Pens
Beowulf text
Objectives:
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The learner will know background information on Beowulf.
The learner will know the main characters and settings of Beowulf, preparing them
for reading the poem.
The learner will be able to complete the given worksheet on Beowulf with a grade of
85% or higher.
Anticipatory Activity:
The teacher will play the Beowulf rap CD that was a project from a previous class. The
teacher will also read the Beowulf poem that was also written by a previous student. The
rap and poem make an outline of Beowulf and key moments and battles in the piece of
literature.
This activity is fun for the students and gives an overview of the poem.
The rap is also a choice of a project students will be working on after they finish reading
Beowulf, so it is also an anticipatory activity for introducing that project.
Lesson Presentation:
The teacher will give a short lecture prior to the students’ reading of Beowulf.
The teacher will have a power point presentation to go along with her lecture. (Power point
is attached to this lesson)
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The teacher will explain the background of Beowulf.
The teacher will discuss Anglo-Saxon culture and the time of the writing of Beowulf.
The teacher will explain main characters and the setting of the poem.
The teacher will introduce the plot of the story.
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The teacher will point out main points of the story to give students an idea of what
they will be reading.
Guided Practice:
The teacher will hand out a worksheet and the class will answer in pairs. (Worksheet is
attached to this lesson)
The worksheet will include questions from the power point presentation and lecture.
The worksheet will have five to seven short questions that the class can discuss.
Reteaching: (If needed)
The teacher will ask the class if they understand the characters that they are going to be
reading about and the plot of the story.
The teacher should ask for any additional questions as well.
The teacher will answer any questions the students have and reteach accordingly.
Conclusion:
Ask the students what they believe might happen in the poem. Have a short class
discussion on the possibilities of themes, morals, or meanings that students should
consider while reading the poem.
Independent Practice:
The students will read Beowulf on their own and be ready to have a class discussion and
quiz next time. Students should look for weapons, monsters, characters, and other
important details in the story.
Students will write a rap or poem summarizing Beowulf and the three main battles. The
poem or rap should have at least ten stanzas. Students will present their projects to the
class next time.
Evaluation:
The teacher will evaluate the students’ independent practice worksheet to assess their
learning. If most students seem to understand the poem and score an 85% or above, the
teacher can assume they have grasped the concept. If not, the teacher should discuss
Beowulf more in depth and maybe read some important passages out loud as a class.
Modifications:
For students with special needs the teacher will provide the books on tape. The teacher
will also have a worksheet with fewer questions if needed so special needs students do not
feel overwhelmed. The teacher can also give the student a detailed outline of Beowulf
pointing out key moments so the student can stay on track with the story.
Beowulf Rap
My boy Beowulf
Protector of mankind
Swimmin’ and Swirvin’
He’s one of a kind
Wippin’ out his sword
Handlin’ his business
Rolling one deep
Smashin up beasts
Bye Bye Grendel
You think you’re bad
Ya Ya Beowulf
Victory he had.
Up rolls Grendel’s mama
Calm down big mama
Slamin’ her claws
Takin’ up men
Jump into the water
Beowulf went.
Swimming for hours
Dang this boy’s a beast.
Pulling out his sword
Big Mama can’t defeat.
Years went by
They called up B.
They need his stength
To kill another beast.
Beowulf the greatest
A straight up warrior
Up came the dragon,
A definite destroyer.
B took him down,
But the whole land frowned
‘Cuz Beowulf lost his crown.
Guided Practice Worksheet
1. Beowulf was written by:
2. The setting for Beowulf is?
3. Why was Beowulf needed?
4. What is a mead hall?
5. Beowulf was originally written in what language?
6.
The monster’s name is?
7. How did Anglo-Saxons fight? What weapons were used?