I have a fun The Hobbit unit study and a hobbit door craft. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.
Besides Hobbit Day is September 22nd, and I rounded up the best resources to create a hobbit unit study to celebrate.
I love all of Tolkien’s book series and the movies as well.
Too, they lend themselves very well to becoming a unit study.
From character analysis to vocabulary, and research to artwork I have enough to fill a day or a few weeks.
I am also showing you how to create this cute little hobbit door that makes for a great decoration for your celebration as well as to adorn your shelf or table.
The Hobbit Unit Study Resources
Of course, you will want to begin your study with the book itself or maybe the whole series.
The Hobbit Resources
Add some of these books and fun resources to celebrate Hobbit Day or do a fun unit study.
In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling farther than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep to whisk him away on a journey to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon....
“A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible.
When Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves embark upon a dangerous quest to reclaim the hoard of gold stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug, Gandalf suggests an unlikely accomplice: Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit dwelling in peaceful Hobbiton.Along the way, the company faces trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and worse. But as they journey from the wonders of Rivendell to the terrors of Mirkwood and beyond, Bilbo will find that there is more to him than anyone—himself included—ever dreamed. Unexpected qualities of courage and cunning, and a love of adventure, propel Bilbo toward his great destiny . . . a destiny that waits in the dark caverns beneath the Misty Mountains, where a twisted creature known as Gollum jealously guards a precious ring.
Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officer in World War I as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes and inventing languages in his work he demonstrated that imaginary realms were not just for children. Fondly remembered as the “Father of High Fantasy,” Tolkien’s books have inspired blockbuster movies and legions of fans.
When a second generation geek with multiple degrees in history grows up to be a professional cookbook writer, it s no surprise you end up with a lovingly researched book of Hobbit cookery.Inside these pages you ll find one chapter for each traditional Hobbit meal. In addition to being based on historic recipes revised to fit Tolkien's specific vision of the Shire, the dishes have the following themes.- Breakfast - hot, fast, traditional morning food - Second Breakfast - cold, sturdy pies full of meat, veg and fruit to fuel a small adventure- Elevenses - a hearty selection of breads to tide you over until Luncheon- Luncheon - lighter fare appropriate for a pub- Afternoon Tea - sweet biscuits, cakes and buns to accompany a caffeinated pick-me-up- Supper - a hot meal of meat, veg, and mushrooms with a sweet finish- Dinner - slow cooked roasts and puddings that take hours to make, but are well worth the wait.
Includes Frodo Baggins with the One Ring around his neck and holding Sting, Samwise Gamgee and his frying pan, Peregrin “Pippin” Took and Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck with their swords
Next, look at these hands-on activities for your The Hobbit unit study.
Hands-on Activities for the Hobbit Unit Study
Be sure to enjoy breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. Make Lembas Bread and wrap it up with this recipe and free template for the leaves.
Create a Lord of The Rings Welcome Mat. This is a great art project for older fans like teens.
Use these free pages of Hobbit themed copywork to practice handwriting, focus, and even spelling.
Make these tiny clay door charms to show off your love of the Shire.
Welcome to the study with a chalk drawing or a painting on canvas like I did here for our celebration.
Add in ideas about dragons on my Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft.
And make fun dragon eggs.
In addition, create a map based on Thror’s Map.
You could also challenge your child to create it on their own, using the tutorial from Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson – You ARE an ARTiST!
You could also take your creativity outdoors and make a Hobbit Hole Fairy Garden in a container.
Literature Analysis
And literature analysis should start in middle school although your child can be introduced to these concepts prior to middle school.
First, explain what is literature analysis.
It means understanding what the techniques are, then identify the techniques in the books your child reads and then doling a brief essay explaining what he identified.
Look at these easy helps for literature analysis to help your child understand that every book has these elements.
- Theme
- Plot
- Setting
- Character
- Point of View
- Mood
Each person has their reasons for loving the story. Try to draw out the reasons your child loves it.
For example, we love it because not only is it strong fantasy, but it has elements of fairy tale and even a medieval time period feel.
List of Characters in the Hobbit Novel
Additionally, look at a list of the characters in the novel.
Your child can focus on writing about each one or comparing character traits.
- Bilbo Baggins
- Thorin Oakenshield
- Gandalf
- Gollum
- Smaug
- Bard
About J.R.R.Tolkien
Also, look at these few facts about J.R.R. Tolkien if you want to do an author study.
- He was born John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
- In addition, he was born on January 3rd 1892 in Bloemfontein, England.
- Too, he was recognized as one of the finest philologists (study of literature) in the world.
- However, he is best known as the creator of Middle-earth.
Then, although Tolkien created Middle Earth, his stories draw from myths, fables, and fairy tales.
For example, look at some of these elements and ask your child if some of these same concepts are developed in other literature.
- dwarves, elves, and trolls
- talking animals
- riddles and runes. Runes were old letters originally used for cutting or scratching on wood
- dragon
- the treasure trove
(Although this Rivendell LEGO Set is set is expensive, it is a beautiful keepsake and gift to treasure for years. Just had to let you know)
Too, look at some of these other best homeschool unit studies.
More Best Homeschool Unit Studies
- Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity
- Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kids and Lapbook Renaissance
- Free Homeschool Geology Unit Study And Easy DIY Eggshell Geode
- Free The Trail Of Tears For Kids Fun Unit Study Ideas And Lapbook
- Free World War II Unit Study Ideas and Fun Lapbook
- Free Carnivorous Plants Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
- Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter
- Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas
- Fun Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages
- Free Lapbook Maya and Fun Hands-on Meso-America Unit Study Ideas
- Free Quick France Unit Study and Make Easy French Bread
- Free Greek Mythology Unit Study and Greece Lapbook & Fun Hands on LEGO Zeus
- Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
- Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources
Finally, make this hobbit door craft.
Hobbit Door Craft
You will need:
- Thin balsa wood round
- Cardboard
- Green craft paint
- gold/yellow craft paint
- Brick red craft paint
- Small wood bead
- Artificial greenery
- Small artificial flowers
- Black Sharpie
- 2 Jenga blocks or other thick pieces of wood
- White paint pen
- Paintbrush
- Unfinished mushrooms
- ruler
First, paint the wood round as well as the jenga blocks a deep green and set aside to dry.
You can paint one or both sides.
Once dry use a ruler and permanent marker to make lines in the round to look as if it is made of planks.
Add a few lines and knots to give it more of a wood look.
Paint your unfinished mushrooms however you like, or you could use small pre-decorated ones.
Cut a round of cardboard 1” to 1 ½” larger than the wooden round. Paint brick red and allow it to dry.
Once dry use a white chalk marker to make lines all the way around, a few inches in from the edge.
Glue the green wood round into place in the center of the brick red circle.
Paint the small wooden bead gold or yellow and attach to the center of the round.
Hot glue a layer of greenery and moss around the outside edge.
Continue layering on flowers, mushrooms, and more greenery as you like.
Finally, hot glue the two painted Jenga blocks along the back to stabilize and hold the door upright.
You will want to hold it in place until the glue is cold and set.
