Beowulf completes his Danish mission
I can describe events in the second half of Chapter 5 and I can discuss how Beowulf fulfils the role of a hero.
Beowulf completes his Danish mission
I can describe events in the second half of Chapter 5 and I can discuss how Beowulf fulfils the role of a hero.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Having defeated Grendel's mother, Beowulf returns to Heorot a hero.
- Beowulf wants to return home to Geatland; King Hrothgar sadly lets him go, rewarding him once more.
- Heroes are common in mythology and epic poetry and they have certain typical attributes.
- These attributes might include courage, determination, physical strength, compassion and leadership.
- Beowulf has demonstrated these attributes throughout his time in Denmark.
Keywords
Kenning - a phrase of two words that replaces a noun that is often used in Old English poetry
Summarise - pull out the key information and ideas from the text
Hero - a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
Attributes - qualities or features of a person’s personality
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle with the concept of 'fate' raised in the lesson.
Discuss the idea of being 'fated' to experience something, using examples - for instance, happening to meet a partner in a particular place might be described as 'fated' to happen.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Beowulf completes his Danish mission, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Beowulf completes his Danish mission, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'Beowulf': reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
cut off
hugged
melted
hidden
person who takes your role when you finish it