News & Views
Fifth Grade Performs Beowulf
As part of a study of the Anglo-Saxons in social studies, fifth grade classes read Robert Nye’s Beowulf: A New Telling and performed a play based on the book. View photos.
This heroic story of Beowulf would have been told in Saxon mead halls as warriors ate, drank and celebrated their battle victories. The story was intended to inspire and entertain these warriors in a community setting. During this unit, students learned about storytelling, the timeless theme of good vs. evil and how stories, such as this one, are vital to understanding and appreciating an ancient culture.
Students also discussed Beowulf in terms of Mission Skills. His character exhibits perseverance, resilience and collaboration. He knows himself, his strengths and his weaknesses and uses these as he defeats the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the fire drake.
After reading the text, students began the process of preparing a performance. They learned strategies for memorizing lines, how to effectively project their voices towards an audience, and about the importance of responding nonverbally to other characters’ lines. The play, split into four acts—one for each class—was the culminating event of the fifth grade study and thrilling for all.
From Mr. Elkind’s introduction to the performance:
“The Anglo-Saxon village hall was where villagers took their meals and gathered to celebrate important events, such as winning a battle. Inside the great hall one could hear the din of warriors enjoying their feast. On such a night, the hall would look a splendid sight and tales such as Beowulf would be told. Dating back well over a thousand years ago, the story was originally a poem of some 3200 lines and was probably sung and accompanied by some kind of stringed instrument. Our version has been updated somewhat, and Beowulf is special in many ways as you will soon discover. He has many shortcomings but knows himself and recognizes his own dark places. Though he often fights in conventional ways, he ultimately defeats evil with goodness and light rather than weapons. Beowulf is depicted as no ordinary kind of hero. That’s what makes him so appealing and his story so inspirational.”
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
