Teaching Tolkien - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 04-08-2004, 02:34 AM

Both these groups offer help with teaching Tolkien - don't know if they have exactly what you're looking for, though

http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/index.html

http://www.skiesofrohan.com/teach.html

Feanor of the Peredhil · 04-08-2004, 07:01 PM

Yes, Gorwingel, it's a high school class. It's taught every two years, depending on how many people are interested. They switch it up with a creative writing course.

I gave my first 'lesson' today... But it was pretty hard, because the teacher didn't explain that they were supposed to be listening to ME, so they all immediately assumed that I was just trying to show off or something. Oh well. Anyhow, I had them read up to the hiatus in "The Kings of Numenor" (as far as I dared go for the first day) and then explained who these people were, and how they are connected to the characters in the main story. (Elrond's dad, Aragorn's great(many greats)-grandfather, The Ultimate Baddie who taught Sauron, "That one that Bilbo sang about", "The Elf that Arwen looks like"). I think it went pretty well. Only it was somewhat interrupted by the teacher "explaining" how Dwarves came into being. According to the alternate text she must have been reading (ha..ha..ha..), Elves got bored, so they made the Dwarves.

Spring break now, so I've got over a week to decide what to do next. I can't present them with anything that gives away the end of the book (we're only just past Minas Tirith), so that makes it harder. I had to bend the truth a little as is, what with the mention of the union between Aragorn and Arwen... I claimed that by 'union', Tolkien meant 'love'. I think some of them actually believed me.

Again, thanks for the help. You guys are brilliant.

Fea

04-08-2004, 02:34 AM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Both these groups offer help with teaching Tolkien - don't know if they have exactly what you're looking for, though http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/index.html http://www.skiesofrohan.com/teach.html __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

04-08-2004, 07:01 PM	#2
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	Yes, Gorwingel, it's a high school class. It's taught every two years, depending on how many people are interested. They switch it up with a creative writing course. I gave my first 'lesson' today... But it was pretty hard, because the teacher didn't explain that they were supposed to be listening to ME, so they all immediately assumed that I was just trying to show off or something. Oh well. Anyhow, I had them read up to the hiatus in "The Kings of Numenor" (as far as I dared go for the first day) and then explained who these people were, and how they are connected to the characters in the main story. (Elrond's dad, Aragorn's great(many greats)-grandfather, The Ultimate Baddie who taught Sauron, "That one that Bilbo sang about", "The Elf that Arwen looks like"). I think it went pretty well. Only it was somewhat interrupted by the teacher "explaining" how Dwarves came into being. According to the alternate text she must have been reading (ha..ha..ha..), Elves got bored, so they made the Dwarves. Spring break now, so I've got over a week to decide what to do next. I can't present them with anything that gives away the end of the book (we're only just past Minas Tirith), so that makes it harder. I had to bend the truth a little as is, what with the mention of the union between Aragorn and Arwen... I claimed that by 'union', Tolkien meant 'love'. I think some of them actually believed me. Again, thanks for the help. You guys are brilliant. Fea __________________ peace