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Year 6

Beowulf among the Danes

I can outline the key events in the third chapter of ‘Beowulf’ and I can gather evidence from the text to support an idea.

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New
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Year 6

Beowulf among the Danes

I can outline the key events in the third chapter of ‘Beowulf’ and I can gather evidence from the text to support an idea.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Beowulf arrives at Heorot, the Danish court, and he explains his plan to defeat Grendel to King Hrothgar.
  2. One Dane, Unferth, confronts Beowulf and says that he stands no chance against Grendel.
  3. We are given the impression that Beowulf is very confident and that Unferth is very rude.
  4. We can find evidence within the text to support these impressions.
  5. Authors may consciously create impressions by dropping hints in a text.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to find evidence within the text to support an idea.

Ensure pupils have read or followed the text themselves before attempting the tasks so that they are familiar with where to look for information.

Keywords

  • Prediction - an educated guess based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge

  • In role - when you take on the perspective of a character in a text

  • Impressions - initial feelings about a person, place or thing gained from reading a text

  • Evidence - information or facts to show something is true

Remind pupils that we are constantly forming impressions as we read - even if we are unaware of it. This is because our brains gather up the evidence we see in the text and use it to create impressions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2013 Oxford Children’s Classics edition of ‘Beowulf’ written by Kevin Crossley-Holland and illustrated by Charles Keeping for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which countries below feature in the plot of 'Beowulf'?
England
Correct answer: Geatland
Correct answer: Denmark
the Roman Empire
Q2.
Which characters below live in Denmark at the start of 'Beowulf'?
Correct answer: Hrothgar
Beowulf
Hygelac
Correct answer: Grendel
Q3.
Why does Beowulf want to travel to Denmark?
to see King Hrothgar
to drink in Heorot, the great feasting-hall
Correct answer: to defeat Grendel and save the Danes
to see Denmark's beautiful landscape
Q4.
In what ways is the character of Beowulf like a classic hero?
Correct answer: He is described as very strong.
Correct answer: He is keen for adventure.
He is very shy.
Correct answer: He is determined to help people in need.
He has magical powers.
Q5.
What does the Danish coastguard say when Beowulf says he will defeat Grendel? Choose the best summary.
Correct answer: 'Actions speak louder than words.'
'Too many cooks spoil the broth.'
'A stitch in time saves nine.'
'Do as you would be done by.'
Q6.
Why do you think the Danes ask the Geats to leave their weapons outside when they come to see King Hrothgar?
because they know no weapons can hurt Grendel
because the weapons are low quality
Correct answer: because they are worried the Geats might attack
Correct answer: because they don't yet know if they can trust the Geats

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where does Beowulf meet Hrothgar?
in England
Correct answer: in Heorot
Correct answer: in Denmark
in Hygelac
in Geatland
Q2.
How does Beowulf say he will fight Grendel?
Correct answer: with his bare hands
with his sword
wearing his corslet
with dragons' teeth
Q3.
Match each key term to the correct meaning.
Correct Answer:combat,fighting

fighting

Correct Answer:reckless,not worried about consequences

not worried about consequences

Correct Answer:corslet,armour covering the torso

armour covering the torso

Correct Answer:cask,container for alcohol

container for alcohol

Q4.
Put these events from Chapter 3 of 'Beowulf' in order.
1 - Beowulf explains his plan to Hrothgar.
2 - The Geats enjoy a feast.
3 - Unferth confronts Beowulf.
4 - The Danes leave Heorot.
5 - The Geats settle down to sleep.
Q5.
Match each key term to the correct meaning.
Correct Answer:boisterous,noisy and energetic

noisy and energetic

Correct Answer:adorned,bejewelled, decorated

bejewelled, decorated

Correct Answer:burly,large and strong

large and strong

Correct Answer:bolster,thick, long pillow

thick, long pillow

Q6.
Which of the following are pieces of evidence that support the impression that Heorot is a pleasant place?
Correct answer: There are garnets embedded in the tables.
Unferth spat on the floor.
Correct answer: The hall is filled with the scent of herbs.
Correct answer: The tables are candlelit.
There is a space in front of Hrothgar's throne.