THE LORD OF THE RINGS

By J.R.R. Tolkien

 

1. WORKSHEET: Ideas are tricky to convey in a second language class! Illustrations can be more powerful than words–especially in the realm of ideas! Print a “cartoon” worksheet for each student to fill in and keep.

 

2. THE CURTAINS OPEN: Wheel of Fortune

Preview the ideas and issues in the lesson with a contest.

A. COMPETITION: Wheel of Fortune

Play Wheel of Fortune to introduce the plot, action, characters, and vocabulary words for this classic.

B. GAME WORDS/PHRASES: Ring, magic, evil, adventure, hero, imagine.

 

3. J.R.R. Tolkien: Visitor

A sudden, unexpected knock at the door creates delight and wonder in a classroom.

Surprise visitors interrupt the daily routine, tell their story, pose dilemmas,

and answer questions.

Rehearse the Visitor Script ahead of time and put together a costume. Knock on the door, burst in the classroom, and portray the visitor! Engage the class by asking them questions and allowing them to ask you questions, too! Make a flamboyant exit!

 

4. VOCABULARY: When learning new vocabulary words becomes tedious drill — students can recite the definitions but they often have no clue what the words really mean. Try exercises that train students to think and use reasoning skills while they learn new vocabulary.

A. Magic: Mysterious power. Unusual.

B. Evil: Bad conduct or character.

C. Invisible: Not able to be seen.

D. Inherit: To receive a gift from parents or relatives.

E. Wizard: A man with magic powers.

F. Destroy: To ruin.

G. Vow: To promise.

H. Risk: To take a big chance.

COMPETITION

A. Before class write the list of words on the board.

B. Pronounce each word. Students repeat.

C. Explain the contest! Teams of 2-3 race to look up the words and compose one example sentence using the word. First team to give the definition and use the word correctly in a sentence scores 2 points. Other teams can score 2 points for a correct sentence.

D. Do all the vocabulary words in turn.

 

5. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: Theater on a String

Theater is riveting. Before the curtain rises the plot, action, characters, and setting are

only a script on paper. Theater relies on the audience’s imagination and suddenly there

is magic. This is theater on a string!

INSTRUCTIONS

A. Stretch a rope/line across the front of the room. Get two students to hold the two ends — hold it up high so all can see!

B. Use the props to tell the story by hanging them on the line with clothes-pins as you tell the story.

C. Find clever ways to clarify the plot, action, characters, and ideas in the story. Let the class repeat the names and the storyline! Go back to the beginning often and check their memory then resume the story!

PROPS

1. The props must be big enough for the students in the back to see!

2. The paper dolls should be 20IN-24IN tall. The same paper doll can be Frodo, Prospero, Odysseus, Romeo, or the Merchant of Venice! Save them–change the costumes for each classic. Clothes do make the person in the Fishbait lessons!

 

6. QUESTIONS: TIC TAC TOE

Questions can teach students HOW to think rather than WHAT to think.

Ask questions that will require reason and imagination.

Draw the Tic Tac Toe Board on the blackboard. Make two Teams. Ask the first person from Team “X”a question. If correct, that team puts an “X” on the Tic Tac Toe Board. Team “O” gets the next question. Continue asking questions until one team wins.

A. Spell “Ring” — backwards.

B. How tall are Hobbits?

C. How did the evil king lose the Ring?

D. TRUE/FALSE: The Ring can make people fly.

E. Tell the meaning of this story.

F. Pretend you had a chance to keep the Ring. Would you?

G. Which was the worst danger Frodo and his friends faced?

H. What would have happened if Frodo had to destroy the Ring alone?

I. Tolkien said “the LOTR and life are predictable.” What did he mean?

WALLS AND CORNERS

One Tic Tac Toe team stand around the room leaning against the walls and corners. Other team go and face someone. Discuss these questions one-by-one, rotating after each one.

1. Tell about a prank you once did.

2. What is something you tried to avoid–but finally did.

3. What is a vow you made.

4. Is magic real?

5. Tolkien said “one idea might change your life.” What kind of idea can do that?

 

7. RE-TELL THE STORY

Now it is the students turn! Take all the clothes-pins and props off the line. Hold up each prop in turn and ask the class to explain the plot, action, characters, and ideas in the story. Prompt them if necessary.

 

8. GOOD VERSUS EVIL: You Tube Video

Apply the ideas in the lesson in an imaginary YOU TUBE Video.

Good: Right conduct or character.

Evil: Bad conduct or character.

QUESTIONS

A. Have good and evil always existed?

B. Will good and evil always exist?

C. Where did evil come from?

D. Why are the ideas of good and evil in so many children’s stories, books, and movies?

 

YOU TUBE VIDEO

Small groups create a 30SEC pretend YOU TUBE video about good versus evil. Perform for the class or use a cell phone to video and show it to everyone.

 

9. FRODO’S BLOG

Blogs are revealing. Some are polite. Some ask questions.

Some are confessions. Some express wishes.

A. Read Frodo’s blog.

I am only a Hobbit. I am so small.

I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf said, “There are other forces at work in this world besides the will of evil.”

What did Gandalf mean?

Frodo

B. Explain that everyone will pretend to reply to Frodo’s blog.

C. Blogs are not long epistles–allow 2-3MIN.

D. Then everyone find a group, exchange the blogs, and read them aloud.