This document provides context and instructions for a lesson on storytelling using the epic poem Beowulf. It includes: - An introduction on oral storytelling traditions and the origins of Beowulf as an oral poem. - Instructions for students to watch a video clip about Beowulf and take notes using guiding questions. - A discussion of what makes a good storyteller and creating success criteria as a class. - An activity where students re-read the opening of Beowulf and sequence story events. - Options for students to retell or act out the opening through storyboarding or freeze frames with narration.

1. Starter
- Do you know any oral
stories? (i.e. Jack and
the Beanstalk)
The story of Beowulf
Keywords: Story (noun)
an account of imaginary or real people and events
told for a reason Oral stories- told by word of
mouth
LO: Understanding how we tell stories and why we tell
stories

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpAguv0aN7A
As you watch the clip, practise note taking as a class
using the questions on the handout.

3. •The story of ‘Beowulf’ originated from oral poetry and
story telling.
•The stories were often about warriors and adventurers.
•Anglo Saxons would commonly play music as they told
their stories to others in big halls

4. Think back to the starter, when you were asked
to tell a story and what you learned last unit
(Todorov)
What do you have to do in order to be
a good storyteller?
Let’s create a success criteria as a
class

5. Todorov Narrative Structure
Can you make up your own story with the three nouns?
Use our success criteria!

6. In pairs, you are going to re-read pages
2-9 of the Beowulf story.
You need to correctly place the cards in
the order of the story.
The pair that gets the most answers right
wins a raffle ticket!

7. Retell the opening 9 pages of ‘Beowulf’
•Draw: You can either storyboard what happens
•in 6 images (individually)
•Act: Create 6 freeze frames with a narrator retelling
the story (in groups of 4)

8. Share in pairs
Peer mark using the success criteria below:
WWW: You have a clear beginning
EBI: You needed to explain what happened to Beowulf at the
end
You have a clear plot-line
 You have a beginning, middle and end
You explain what happens in
chronological order
You use dialogue to help build a sense of
the character in the story
You explain where the story takes place

9. Which story tellers were the best?
Why?