Here is my most successful unit! Every year, children produce fantastic writing. I have used it in Year 5, but it could be easily adapted for use in any Key Stage 2 class.
Although Morpurgo’s version of the classic poem is fantastic, this unit is based on a very short, simplified version of Beowulf (written as a story), which can be read quickly and used as a model for children’s writing. There is still plenty of rich vocabulary and figurative language to explore. I have included two versions of the model: a 500 word version and a more detailed 900 word version.
This carefully planned unit is three weeks long. Firtsly, children learn the story through a series of drama activities. Later on in the unit, they change the story, and retell it from the monster’s perspective - great fun! Finally, they create a legend of their own, using the pattern of Beowulf - a ‘defeating the monster’ pattern.
Of course, there is plenty of grammar, comprehension and vocabulary work included throughout (all in the ZIP folder). Many sessions and writing tasks (including the final outcome) are differentiated, for mixed ability classes. I have also given suggested passages for whole class shared writing - an essential part of teaching writing.
This unit is ready to go. Creative teachers (and children!) will enjoy getting stuck-in to this one.
Please also check out my new unit ‘Theseus and the Minotaur’. It’s my most comprehensively resourced unit to date, with every lesson creatively planned in detail and many sessions resourced for SEN, EXP and GDS. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/theseus-and-the-minotaur-3-weeks-of-detailed-planning-fully-resourced-and-differentiated-11914692
Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 44%
A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
Myths and Legends, 11 weeks of fully planned and resourced lessons
I always seem to get the best writing from my class when there are strange creatures and beasts involved. If you do too, I think you'll love these plans and resources. Here are three of my favourite writing units. I have used them in Y4, Y5 and Y6. There is 3 weeks of myth writing, inspired by the traditional story 'The Asrai' (a mysterious lake creature). There is 3 weeks of legend writing, inspired by a short version of 'Beowulf'. There is 3 weeks of legend writing, ` 1 week of performance poetry and book making inspired by 'Theseus'. There is 1 week of poetry writing, inspired by 'The Kraken'.
Beowulf fiction unit, Beowulf journalistic style unit and Beowulf sentence construction
I'll admit it! I'm a bit obsessed with 'Beowulf'. I do have a good reason: it inspires great writing. You are buying: * a mega three week fiction writing unit; * a four/five session journalistic style unit; * a sentence grammar activity that I use frequently - it can be adapted for any text and is worth revisiting often. Of course, they are all strictly 'Beowulf' themed. Get involved - you'll soon get the Beowulf bug.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
This is brilliant - well worth every penny.
Thank you for sharing a superb unit of work. Everything I could possibly need.
Lots of great stuff.
This has been so helpful working with a very low ability KS3 intervention group.
Report this resourceto let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.
Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.