Elizabeth T. Lawrence
Word Scramble
, a Vocabulary game.
Objective: To teach vocabulary skills within the unit. The students will recognize and be able to unscramble vocabulary words found in
The Hobbit
.
The student can use the book as a reference or a ditto prepared by the teacher of possible words. This hand-out can be given before the activity begins.
An example list is below.
*Suggested words to be placed, in a scrambled form, on the chalkboard.*
-
1. Bilbo
-
2. shire
-
3. Hobbits
-
4. Gandalf
-
5. Thorin
-
6. Golum
-
7. Smaug
-
8. orc
-
9. Mordor
-
10. Elrond
Teacher has a choice of vocabulary, since this story is chock full of vocabulary. It is the richness of vocabulary content that makes
The Hobbit
appealing.
Activity #2
Show the film version of
The Hobbit
. Have students critique it in class afterwards.
I have found that Weston Woods, which is a children’s library and artistic publishing house, has for rent the film version of Tolkien’s
The Hobbit
. After seeing the film, the students may wish to critique it on their own. This process allows the student to think critically. It allows the students to:
-
a) see similarities and differences via the cinemagraphic adaptation;
-
b) offer personal opinions and criticisms which may never occur after a simple reading of the text.
For slower readers, this activity is perfect for it will cement the main thrust of the story. Children are auditory beings and very visual, thus showing them
The Hobbit
will greatly influence their understanding of Tolkien’s work.
It is also part of the unit’s core to show the difference between great writing and great cinemagraphic effects.
This is a way of comparing and contrasting prose with films. What would Tolkien have thought of this film?
The teacher may wish to prepare a set of questions with yes or no answers and comments. Students are more apt to be truthful if this is done anonymously. They’ll have no fear of “counter-attack”.
Telephone # for
Weston Woods
Children’s Library: (203) 226-4666
Rates do vary. Rental/purchase. It is also available on VHS/Beta cassette. Check your local video stores. The cassette film version is produced by ABC VIDEO; SONY and is 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
Activity #3
Invent a Code!
Sample of Tolkien alphabet is attached to the unit.
Students may wish to develop their own special alphabet. This activity hinges greatly on phonetic ability in writing. Each letter will have an accompanying sound. Each symbol a meaning.
Students may wish to study various ways of writing. Here, we are teaching sound/symbol relationship. Good sources might be Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek or Hebrew alphabets, or picture writing of Prehistoric man. We are all familiar with the Rebus type stories those verbal puzzles found in children’s magazines. There the pictures are interjected where a word would be found, and the reader must solve the puzzle using sounds in order to get the entire message.
Tolkien developed his own alphabet. As a master of linguistics, he carefully gave birth to the language of his tales. Students can also give birth to their own creative alphabet. Marvelous secret messages can be written.
These student-made alphabets can be displayed in the classroom.
The teacher can do several activities with these alphabets. Each day, a message in one of the alphabets can be placed on the chalkboard and everyone has to break the code. This is an excellent warm-up exercise to begin the English class.
It also sets the scene for studying and understanding Tolkien. This activity challenges the minds of students.
CLASSACTIVITY (SAMPLE)
(figure available in print form)
*The above is a message done in Tolkien alphabet.
This may be found in detail in this book.*