Gnomes, Trolls and Fairies: Nordic Folklore and Tales
A two hour class about the old Nordic beliefs that we can still see today in books and movies.
Jessika O'Sullivan
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,154)
Popular
What's included
2 live meetings
2 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
This two session class will bring the student into the deep forests in the Nordic countries. I will engage the student's imagination all the while they learn of the old beliefs that have been around since the bronze age. For thousands of years, the people of the north have believed in gnomes, fairies, trolls and many other magical creatures or people. To this day people will point to fog over the meadows during the light June nights and say it is the fairies dancing or put out a small plate with porridge on Christmas eve for the house gnome. And children in Sweden are often called trollunge (child troll) if they are mischievous. The first session will be focused around the more earthly creatures such as gnomes, trolls and elves. I will show pictures, speak of their habits and tell how you are supposed to treat such creatures if you would come them about. I will lead a discussion about how these are portrayed nowadays in books and films. The second session will be focused on fairies, the lady of the forest and the neck (water spirit). I will show pictures and tell the students how you should react around these creatures. I will again compare the old legends with today. Students don't need any deeper previous knowledge in before hand but should bring a curious mind. A couple of the characters and stories can be a little scary to sensitive students.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
One story about a water spirit includes a scene with a young woman killing herself
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2016
4.9
1154reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
In my creative writing classes, I encourage students to draw from their experiences and thoughts to create unique pieces and share my passion for writing. This passion has been recognized with four awards for a short story and three poems, which I hope will inspire your students.
I am an immigrant from Sweden with a master's degree in education from Lund/Malmö University.
I am dedicated to forming connections with my students and customizing my teaching to suit their age. I aim to challenge my students while ensuring they never feel like failures. Patience, humor, and kindness are paramount in my approach.
As a teacher, I foster critical thinking through various activities such as research and discussions. The most rewarding part of my job is igniting my students' joy of learning and nurturing their curiosity about the world.
I believe in incorporating play into my teaching whenever possible, as I believe that everyone, regardless of age, has a playful side.
I have previously taught social and political science, religion, and geography and have nearly 25 years of experience working with children of different ages.
My diverse interests include folklore, photography, nature, books, and history, particularly on overlooked historical figures. I hope to share these interests with your students, sparking their curiosity and broadening their horizons.
I eagerly look forward to having your student in my class and am excited to embark on this learning journey together!Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly or $36 for 2 classes1x per week, 2 weeks
60 min
Completed by 526 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-8 learners per class
