LESSON PLAN

School: Camden High School Day: Friday Date: 16/05/18 Period: 3 Class: 8C

Unit: The Western & The Islamic World (Depth Study 4)

Topic: Topic 4a. The Vikings (c.790 – c.1066)

Aim: To gain knowledge about Viking civilisation, and achievements in history.

The big picture [what question communicates the purpose of the lesson?
To understand the way of life in Viking society (social, cultural, economic and political features) and roles and
relationships of different groups in society.
Syllabus Outcomes:
HT4-8 – locates, selects and organises information from sources to develop an historical inquiry.
HT4-9 – uses a range of historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past.
HT4-10 – selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual, and digital forms to communicate about the past.
General Capabilities: History Skills:
ICT capability Explanation and communication
Literacy Research
Personal and social capability Analysis and use of sources

Students learn to: Students learn about:

- Using a range of sources, eg the viking sagas,
outline key social, cultural, economic and
political features of Viking society.
- Discuss the role of the Norse gods in Viking
society.
- The way of life in Viking Society (social,
cultural, economic and political features) and
the roles and relationships of different
groups in society

Resources: Assessment:
Textbook: Bruce Dennett & Stephen Dixon, (2014), Formative assessment
Oxford Insight History: Australian Curriculum for NSW:
Stage 4. p.24-55
Book Computers
Research task questions & assigned gods
Powerpoint on USB
Whiteboard Markers & Eraser

DIFFERATION: (8C)

Shane: Jaryd: Declan:

Email powerpoint  Scaffold computer tasks  Write higher order questions 
Print off worksheets in A3  Simplify board work  Give extension work 

Miss J Hayter
 LESSON PLAN

LESSON STAGES TEACHER ACTIVITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Connect the (5min) Hand out research directions & organise laptops. Collect laptops & direction sheet.
Learning: (10min) Model what the groups need to do on the smartboard. Choose appropriate
How will students connect https://norse-mythology.org/ pairs/groupings.
to what they already
- Jormungandr: Large serpent that was so large it could
know?
surround Earth and grasp its own tail. Thereby
nicknamed World Serpent.
- Has no specific duty. If he lets go of his tail, it means
there will be Ragnarok = end of world.
- Middle child of Loki & a giantess. Family Tree.
- Thor lifting giant cat story. SEE BELOW:
Use any website

Share New (30min) Research task Work in pairs

Information:
How can the teacher
facilitate students
accessing new information
and developing an
understanding of it?
1. What physical features does your allocated god
reportedly have? Are there multiple descriptions? List Teacher allocates Gods to students
all. Difficult ones:
2. What is their main duty in Viking religion? ie. Do people  Valkyries
pray to them for wisdom, good harvest etc? Or do they  Sif
perform a duty specific to legend?  Ull
3. Do they belong in a family tree? Draw a rough family  Bragi
tree. Otherwise, draw a rough sketch of how they are
depicted in stories.
4. Find a story/description of actions revolving around
your allocated god. Summarise it, ready to share with
the class.

Characters:
Loki, Odin, Thor, Heimdall, Baldur, Valkyries, Freya (female),
Fenrir, Hel, Sif, Frigg, Tyr, Ymir, Freyr (male), Ull, Bragi & Gefion

Demonstrate New n/a n/a

Understanding:
How will students apply
their understanding to
new contexts?

Review & Reflect: (10min) Share stories around the classroom. n/a
How will students show an Youtube videos to watch if completed quicker.
understanding of the ‘big
picture’ of the lesson?

EXTENSION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc5zUK2MKNY - crash course – finish 3rd lesson with this

as summary.
Norse gods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WbGEXzZgbY

Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyU54gV_PWM

Ragnarok: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed8O6w1MWZs

Thor & Jormangand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyXVXQRPXWs

Miss J Hayter
 LESSON PLAN

Thor then challenged anyone in the castle to a drinking contest, something at which
he had no little skill. The giant had one of his servants fetch the kind of drinking horn
from which the giant’s men were said to drink. When it was placed before Thor, the
giant informed him that whoever could finish the horn in one drink was considered a
great drinker, whoever could do it in two was considered fair, but no one in his
retinue was such a poor drinker as to be unable to finish it in three.

Thor drank mightily, but by the time he had to pause for a breath, the level of liquor
in the horn had barely lowered. So he gave it a second try, straining to gulp and gulp
until his breath failed him. This time, the level had gone down appreciably, but the
better part of the horn still remained. His third drink was even more formidable than
the previous two, but in the end, much was still left. By that point, however, Thor
could drink could no more, and gave up.

Then The giant suggested that Thor attempt to simply lift his cat from the floor, but
Thor proved unable to do even this.

In a rage, Thor challenged anyone in the castle to wrestle with him. Insultingly, the
giant appointed an old woman, Elli (Old Norse Elli, “Age”) who was one of his
servants. But the great god lost even this contest.

The far end of the horn from which you drank was connected to the sea, and we
were actually greatly afraid that you were going to drink it all. When you cross over
the sea again, you will see how much you have lowered its level. My cat was actually
the Midgard serpent, whom you succeeded in raising out of the ocean and into the
sky. And, finally, you wrestled against old age, and took a long, long time to fall.

Miss J Hayter
 LESSON PLAN

Research Task:
1. Who – Who is your allocated god/mythological creature?

2. Origin – Where did your allocated god/mythological

creature come from? For example, Aesir, or Vanir.

3. Relations – Do they belong in a family tree? Draw their

family tree. If no relations, draw a rough sketch of their
appearance.

4. Major Tales and Stories – Find a tale of your god,

summarise it into your own words. We will share these
with the rest of the class.

5. Talents/ Gifts/ Abilities – Is there anything that stands

out about your god/mythological creature? Do they
perform a certain duty in Viking’s everyday lives?

Miss J Hayter
 LESSON PLAN

Loki Odin Thor

Freya
Valkyries Fenrir
(female twin)

Hel Sif Frigg

Freyr
Tyr Ymir
(male twin)

Ull Gefion Bragi

Miss J Hayter