Dream of the Rood (Download)
Written in the early 7th or 8th century, "Dream of the Rood" was one of the first early Christian poems written in English. Recounting Christ’s passion and death from the perspective of the cross, "Dream of the Rood" recognizes the power of redemptive suffering and the Christian’s fundamental need for salvation. With early medieval literary devices, the poem describes Christ’s passion as a battle waged against sin and death. In this three-class study, students peel back the layers of imagery, language, and symbolism to reveal a message about the sacredness of all human beings present in medieval literature.
Dream of the Rood is suitable for high school students and can provide support in a British Literature course, in a Medieval Literature course, in a religion course, or as a stand-alone work in a standard English class.
Download Features:
- 76-page Instructor Guide
- Step-by-step activity instructions
- Comprehensive lecture notes
- 2 professional quality slide presentations ready for lecture
- 12 student handouts
- Access to additional online resources and teaching tips
Topics Covered
Understanding culture of life themes in literature
The life-giving gift of Christ’s death on the cross
Hero archetype in Medieval Literature
Life Lens (9th–12th grade)
Life Lens supplements give high school students the opportunity to study culture-of-life topics in a condensed 1–5-class format designed to complement their existing course of study. Because of their format, Life Lens studies easily integrate into an existing course, lesson plan, or required class. Each downloadable unit study contains all the teacher presentation materials, discussion questions, quizzes, and student materials needed to complete the class.
Permission to use this lesson is granted to the immediate family or classroom of the original purchaser. Schools with more than one classroom using this lesson should purchase additional copies. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Ciancio at clsp@all.org.
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It is because of the world we live in that the poem "Dream of the Rood" can be life-changing, or at least the beginning of a new way for students to accept the importance of the culture of life and then extending their knowledge and experience to others. Seeing Christ as a warrior-hero in His bloody battle against evil and death will surely be a startling view for the uninitiated; even more surprising might be the eventual understanding that just as the Dreamer, every Christian is called upon to bear Christ's cross. The battle against evil and death still goes on in every person on earth. Thus the desperate need to fight along with Our Savior to protect the unborn, the old, the sick, and even the dying, and to follow Christ as the Dreamer learns to do — with courage, loyalty, and virtuous living as an exemplar and defender of the culture of life. - Marynola Halgard, PhD, English Literature
Dr. Halgard has 10 years of experience teaching English Literature at the college level and also served as both administrator and teacher in Catholic education for 40 years. She was a pioneer in the homeschooling movement in Omaha, Nebraska.