Curriculum ideas for KS2

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The Hobbit is an ideal text for cross-curricular study at Key Stage Two. It can be read aloud to the class, or played on tape or CD.

Design and Technology

What problems would hobbits face in hanging their circular doors with a single hinge? Make models to compare them with standard doors. Is there a way of making a circular door hang on more than one hinge?

Why does waybread keep? How do we preserve food today? [Make a chart comparing methods: how long does it keep, what does it do to taste, what does it do to texture (use a single food in comparison test, such as fresh, canned, frozen, bottled, and dried tomatoes]

Maths and Science

How did they tell the time in The Hobbit? [Why was time important? Talk about moons, months and hobbit names for seasons - introduce the arbitrary sectioning of time, which can then be explored in other cultures.]

Look at the numbers in the Beorn chapter - why are they special? [Squares, primes, etc.]

Discuss the pros and cons of having hairy feet with leathery soles. [Move on to discuss why some people are hairier than others (maturation, natural selection)]

Geography

Make a map of part of the journey

What would you do after the destruction of Lake Town? [Look at the economic and environmental impact of plans, compare to villages after a conflict, and possibly to a local new build village.]

How could you make your house dragon-proof?

Art, Music, Dance and Drama

Compose a hobbit walking song

Choose two places in The Hobbit which feel very different. Explore them through dance and music

Photograph places which remind you of places in The Hobbit [Curriculum link here to IT - if done with a digital camera, or scanned, these places could be put onto a website]

History

Draw family trees for Bilbo and the dwarf kings [Discuss how families, clans and tribes can affect what people do in the future]