Anglo-Saxon Culture

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Investigate and understand key aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture, including art, music, and literature
• Analyse examples of Anglo-Saxon poetry and art
• Discuss how cultural artefacts reflect the values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon period

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National Curriculum Links

• English - Reading: comprehension
  • Year 3 - Pupils should be taught to develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by:
    • Listening to and discussing a wide range of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, including myths, legends, and traditional stories.
    • Recognising simple recurring literary language in stories and poetry.
• English - Writing: composition
  • Pupils should be taught to use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify, and to use conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions to express time and cause.
• History: Pupils should…
  • Learn about Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots.
• Art and Design: Pupils should…
  • Develop techniques, including drawing and painting, to create artwork inspired by historical periods.

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Success Criteria

• I can identify and describe key elements of Anglo-Saxon culture in art, music, and literature.
• I can explain what Anglo-Saxon poetry reveals about their beliefs and values.
• I can contribute ideas during discussions about cultural artefacts.

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Lesson Overview (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description
0-10 mins	Hook & Introduction	Show images of Anglo-Saxon art (e.g., jewellery, manuscripts), play an excerpt of Anglo-Saxon-inspired music (reconstruction). Use a brief storytelling excerpt from the epic poem Beowulf. Engage students with questions: What do these tell us about Anglo-Saxon people?
10-20 mins	Group Discussion & Vocabulary	Introduce key vocabulary: epic, saga, runes, craftsmanship, oral tradition, paganism. In mixed-ability groups, discuss what these words mean and how they relate to the artefacts and poetry. Groups share ideas.
20-35 mins	Poetry Analysis Activity	Provide students with short, age-appropriate excerpts from Anglo-Saxon poetry (e.g., lines from Beowulf or other riddles). Using guided questions, pupils identify describing words, themes (bravery, nature, heroism), and repetitive language.
35-50 mins	Art Response - Create an Anglo-Saxon-Inspired Artefact Design	Using sketching materials, pupils create their own Anglo-Saxon style piece of artwork (e.g., a design for a brooch or a mini manuscript page), incorporating patterns and symbols discussed earlier. Encourage using relevant vocabulary.
50-60 mins	Plenary & Reflection	Quick round: Each pupil or pair shares one fact learned about Anglo-Saxon culture and one thing they liked about poetry or art. Teacher highlights how this reflects Anglo-Saxon values like courage, nature, and craftsmanship.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support:
  • Provide vocabulary cards with images and simplified explanations.
  • Group weaker readers/pupils with stronger peers to scaffold poetry discussion.
  • Use audio versions of poetry excerpts for auditory learners and those with reading difficulties.
• Challenge:
  • Ask more advanced learners to identify kennings (Anglo-Saxon metaphorical phrases, e.g., “whale-road” for sea) in the poetry extracts or to compose their own short Anglo-Saxon style riddle poem.
  • Encourage extended writing by describing their art piece using expanded noun phrases and conjunctions, linking back to the cultural values.

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Resources

• Printed images of Anglo-Saxon art (brooches, illuminated manuscripts)
• Audio recording of reconstructed Anglo-Saxon music or chants
• Age-appropriate excerpts of Anglo-Saxon poetry (e.g., Beowulf, riddles)
• Sketching and colouring materials
• Vocabulary cards

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative:
  • Teacher observation during group discussions and poetry analysis to assess understanding of cultural context and vocabulary.
  • Review sketches and written descriptions for evidence of understanding patterns and cultural symbolism.
• Summative:
  • Use student reflections shared in plenary to gauge grasp of Anglo-Saxon cultural values.
  • Optional exit slip: Write down one way art or poetry showed what Anglo-Saxons valued.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• History: Connections to Anglo-Saxon settlements and lifestyle.
• Art and Design: Exploring historic pattern work and symbolism.
• Music: Experience cultural heritage through sound.

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WOW Factor Ideas for Teachers

• Use a replica Anglo-Saxon artefact or create a mystery box for tactile engagement during hook.
• Perform a short group chant or ancient poem reading using simple percussion instruments to embody Anglo-Saxon oral tradition.
• Incorporate a digital interactive timeline or virtual museum tour on Anglo-Saxon culture if access to technology is available.

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This lesson will deepen pupils’ understanding of Anglo-Saxon culture in an engaging, multi-sensory way that aligns explicitly with the National Curriculum for England and the developmental needs of year 3 learners.