A detailed lesson plan in EnglishAmerican Literature

Submitted by: Marc Oliver Fernandez

Submitted to: Dr. Glenda Salem

2012
I. Objectives: At the end of the 40 minute discussion, the learners should be able to: A. Analyze how Anglo-Saxon riddles are formed and how it is important in their time; B. Appreciate the different riddles from the Anglo-Saxon period; C. Create their own riddles based from the current time period. II. Subject Matter: Anglo-Saxon Riddles III. Materials: powerpoint presentation, hand-outs

References: Fletcher, R. V.(1918) A History of English Literature. Website: file:///F:/demo/Anglo- Saxon%20Poetry%20%20A%20History%20of%20English%20Literature.htm

Bradley, S. A. J. (1982).The Exeter Book Riddles (1993) translated by Kevin

TEACHERS ACTIVITY A. Motivation: Before we start with the formal discussion, i want you all to take a look at the phrase in front--I am all on my own, wounded by iron weapons and scarred by swords. I often see battle. I am tired of fighting. I do not expect to be allowed to retire from warfare before i am completely done for. At the wall of the city, I am knocked about and beaten again and again. Hard edged things made by the blacksmiths hammer attack me. Each time i wait for something worse. I have never been able to find a doctor who could make me better or give me a medicine made from herbs. Instead sword gashes all over me grow bigger day and night. Now, who can tell me who or what is talking in the given phrase? What can you notice in this phrase? Very good! Exactly! STUDENTS ACTIVITY Its as if someone is talking and narrating his/her experiences

Class, who then can give me why have you arrived at shield being the answer of the given phrase?

The Anglo-Saxons doubtless brought with them from the Continent the rude beginnings of poetry, such as the literature of every people that consist largely of brief magical charms and of rough 'popular ballads' (ballads of the people).
Literature was mainly transferred through word

Exactly, What else?

of mouth, thus,

Riddling, being part of

Anglo-Saxon poetry in England is an oral tradition

Right, such context clues were able to lead us to finding a possible answer to the given phrase Now, what do we call the form of poetry
that either describe an object, challenging the reader to identify what it is, or, anthropomorphically, describe themselves?

(students will give their answers) ---best possible answer: shield

The context clues such as I am all on my own, wounded by iron weapons and scarred by swords. I often see battle. Shields, back then were often used in warfare to protect the people form swords and other weapons

Thats right! Today, were going to discuss about riddles but not just riddles, were going to discuss about anglo-saxon riddles B. Presentation But before anything else, ill first give you a background of the anglo-saxon poetry as well as their riddles:

I am knocked about and beaten again and again. Hard edged things made by the blacksmiths hammer attack me.

between sets during performances of epics such as Beowulf. Riddles Minstrels might also have sung the riddles in less formal situations, where audience attention span was short or a higher degree of audience participation was desirable. So with that, did you understand how their literature was important during their time? Moving on, Ill group you into four groups. Count off from one to four

Okay, all students who got number 1 will go together and so does the other students with the numbers two to four. Okay, settle down now. Now, heres what youre going to do, ill give each group a paper which contains several riddles. Now, discuss among your groups the answer to the given riddles by identifying the context clues given. riddles may have been oral compositions: short pieces the minstrels used while their audiences were getting settled, or as fill Here in front is the choices of which you may choose from

(cuckoo, shield, fish, fire, horse, onion, cow, bible, bookworm, chainmail) Did you understand guys? Ill give you 5 minutes to discuss and answer the given riddles. After which, a representative will report here your answers. Riddles: 1. The creature ate its words---it seemed to me strangely weird when I heard this wonder: that it had devoured human speech. A thief in the darkness gloriously mouthed (the students will go to their respective group numbers) Students will then count off...one to four and repeated until all students will have their respective numbers

Yes

Yes

the source of knowledge---but thee thief was not the least bit wiser for the words in his mouth. 2. An enemy came and took my life and all my strength. He soaked me, submerged me in water, then took me out and placed me in the sun -- there I lost all of my hair. The sharp steel of a knife's edge scraped me clean. Fingers folded me. A bird's pride bore the juice, covered me with tracks; all over my brown skin I took in the dye of wisdom. Some more of the liquor crossed me again with dark prints. Then I was covered with protecting boards, bound in hyde, brightened by gold; then I shone gracefully crafted, banded in metal. Now may my ornaments, my red dye, my splendid illumination spread the praise of the lord of people. Not a thing of sorrow: if the sons of men seek my wisdom they will be safer, more sure of success, stronger in heart, sounder of mind,

wiser in spirit; their friends will grow dearer and closer, truer and stronger, more useful and faithful---their glory will spread, their gladness increase, their prosperity multiply: kindness will flourish, love will deepen, friends will embrace. Do you know my name, so useful to men? My name is glorious, an aid to heros, a holy thing. 3. A wonderful warrior exists on earth. Two dumb creatures make him grow bright between them. Enemies use him against one another. His strength is fierce but a woman can tame him. He will meekly serve both men and women If they know the trick of looking after him And feeding him properly. He makes people happy. He makes their lives better. But if they let him grow proud This ungrateful friend soon turns against them.

4. Four dilly-dandies (teats on the udder) Four stick standies (legs) Two crookers (horns) Two lookers (eyes) And a wig wag (tail)

5. My home is not quiet but I am not loud. The lord has meant us to journey together. I am faster than he and sometimes stronger, But he keeps on going for longer. Sometimes I rest but he runs on. For as long as I am alive I live in him. If we part from one another It is I who will die.

6. When I am alive I do not speak. Anyone who wants to takes me captive and cuts off my head.

They bite my bare body I do no harm to anyone unless they cut me first. Then I soon make them cry.

(after the reporting) Well, i guess you really understood your anglo-saxon riddles. Quiz: Bring out sheet of paper. Heres what youre going to do: Create your own riddles following the Anglo-Saxon pattern of either having that notion of an inanimate object speaking in its own
voice or describing something that poses a challenge to the readers to identify what youre trying to portray. Note that, you should create your riddles

After five minutes, the students will now report on their answers and justify it though the context clues theyve found in the given Anglo-Saxon riddles.

based from the the current time period (i.e. current situations and things we often see)

Assignment: (the teacher will show a picture in front) Okay, based from the given picture, imagine it can speak or describe itself. Now, i want you to create your own riddles based from the given picture.