The document summarizes The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. It provides background information about the novel, describing it as a classic fantasy adventure published in 1937. A brief plot summary notes the story involves an ordinary hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who joins dwarves on a quest, encountering situations he must solve along the way. The document also discusses reasons for reading English texts and how graphic novels and literature can help students understand other cultures.

1. The Hobbit
By J.R.R Tolkien
The Hobbit 9 by Themeplus available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/85217387@N04/8267655113/in/photolist-dAzTPP-jVFpnq-iZWdT5-dC3i9u-dBWTi4-qED3tb-dC3eRw-dC3igU-
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Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic.

2. Why read English texts?
 Students can gain access to a wide range of books, literature, films and so on, not
having to wait for Norwegian translations of the texts and therefore have access
to “current material, ideas and global culture” (Birketveit & Williams, 2016, p.
164).
 “reading is both a skill and a social activity, something we do alone and
something we do when we chat on social media, for example” (Munden, 2015, p.
255).
 Literature can aid “imaginative perspectives” and are an approachable way for
teens to understand “global cultures and differences” (Birketveit & Williams,
2016, p. 7).

3. In other words
Fictional texts can be a more approachable medium for teenagers to
understand and question the society in which they are a part of
themselves.

4. About the text
 Author: J.R.R Tolkien
 First published in 1937
 Fantasy novel
 Considered to be a ‘modern classic’

5. Plot
 Adventure
 Encountering several intricate situations which he must solve
 Good against evel
 Don’t judge the book by its cover
 Ordinary people can do extraordinary things
 Culture differences and tolerance

6. (Tolkien, 2001, pp. 2-3).

7. Graphic Novels
 «[…] visuals may support the understanding of
the story and may help the reader to fill the
gaps that are not easily accessible through the
[…] text» (Birketveit & Williams, 2016, p. 134).
 Can aid both strong and weak readers
(Tolkien, 2001, p. 111)

8. The Norwegian Subject Curriculum
Competence aims:
 understand the main content and details of texts one has chosen
 read, understand and evaluate different types of texts varying in length about
different topics
 discuss and elaborate on different types of English literature from English-
speaking countries

9. Lesson Plan
Aims:
1. Read English literature
2. Understand the text
1. Main content
2. Themes
3. Talk about the text

10. Yee Peng Sansai 2013 by John Shedrick available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_john/10957919696 under a Creative
Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.

11. Pre-reading
 Dividing the students into groups of four
 They discuss what they already know about The Hobbit
 Draw a mind-map about the storyline (as much as we know) on the
blackboard
 Give out the chosen excerpt from the novel
 Give each member of the group one task each

12. While-reading
1. Describe how you think Bilbo’s character changes from the beginning
of the story, to the encounter with the trolls.
2. Describe your thoughts on Gandalf’s behaviour towards Bilbo.
3. Why do you think Bilbo decided to join the dwarves in their
adventure?
4. How do you feel the pictures aid the storyline?

13. Post-reading
 Back in their groups, talk about their findings
 Create a presentation of the four different topics
 Present it for the rest of the class
 Hopefully, the different goups have reached different
conclusions/interpretations
 Shows that the same narrative can be interpreted differently
 See themes that can question/reflect upon their own lives

14. GOAL
That someone actually would like to finish the book 
(Tolkien, 2001. p. 49)

15. References
Birketveit, A., &Williams, G. (2016). Literature for the English Classroom:
Theory into Practice. Bergen: Fagbokforlaget.
Munden, J. (2015). Engelsk på mellomtrinnet: A Teacher’s Guide. Oslo:
Gyldendal Akademisk.
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1998). The Hobbit. London: Collins Modern Classics.
Tolkien, J.R.R., Wenzel, D. (ill), Deming, S & Dixon, C. (adapt). (1990). The
Hobbit: An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic. New York and Toronto: