The Hobbit, or There and Back Again is a novel by the English author J.R.R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim for best juvenile fiction.
The Hobbit Group Reading & Writing Workshop
Focus: Heroism, Adventure, and Transformation Through Collaborative Literacy
General Instructions:
Begin by reading The Hobbit either individually, in groups or as a class. To complete a work quickly, use groups to read the work. This helps with longer texts. Divide the work into sections and assign each group a section. As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters sequentially. As students read, they should complete the literary thinking guide. After reading and reporting on the entire work, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of the life and times of characters through primary sources and writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as migration, cultural exchange, conflict, and resilience.
Primary Text: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937) – public domain in some regions but not in the U.S. Use classroom copies or licensed editions.
Length: 5–7 class sessions (adaptable)
Group Structure: 3–4 students per group
Core Skills:
Reading comprehension
Character analysis
Theme tracking
Creative writing
Argumentative writing
Collaborative discussion
Close textual evidence
Session 1
Launch Activity: The Journey Begins
Prediction Circles + Mythic Backgrounds
Students preview The Hobbit by connecting Bilbo’s journey to traditional mythic and folkloric journeys.
Added Public Domain Text
Example of an epic quest structure from The Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5186
Groups read a short excerpt showing a hero setting off on a journey.
Group Tasks
“Why do so many traditional epics begin with an ordinary person summoned to adventure?”
Use one detail from The Kalevala.
Session 2
Reading Circles: Bilbo the Unlikely Hero
Public Domain Anchor Text
Beowulf’s early characterization as a hero
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Students contrast Beowulf’s confidence with Bilbo’s reluctance.
Group Roles
Discussion Leader, Evidence Finder, Connector, Illustrator
Group Tasks
Track Bilbo’s early doubts vs. emerging bravery.
Writing Task
Paragraph comparison:
“How does Tolkien play with or reject the traditional heroic introduction seen in Beowulf?”
Session 3
Evidence Labs: Trolls, Riddles, Goblins
This session integrates carefully chosen public domain texts that mirror Hobbit scenes.
Station 1: Trolls in Folklore
Grimm’s Fairy Tales — troll-like creatures and folklore woods
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2591
Groups read a short fairy-tale excerpt to compare mood, danger, or humor.
Station 2: Riddles in the Dark
Old English Exeter Book Riddles
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ascp/a02.htm
Students compare Bilbo/Gollum riddles to historical riddle traditions.
Station 3: Goblins & Dark Creatures
The Poetic Edda — dwarves, dark creatures, and mythic underworlds
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Group Tasks
Identify tone, conflict, symbols, and world-building in each pairing.
Writing Task
Micro-analysis comparing one Hobbit passage to one public-domain excerpt.
Optional Creative Task
Write a riddle in the style of the Old English riddles using:
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ascp/a02.htm
Session 4
Creative Writing Workshop: Your Missing Adventure Chapter
Students invent a “lost chapter” set between real chapters of The Hobbit.
Public Domain Inspiration Options
Include a descriptive passage modeled after a chosen public domain text.
Session 5
Theme Seminars: Greed, Home, Courage, Fellowship
Public Domain Theme Pairings
To deepen theme discussion:
Greed & Power
Dragon episode in Beowulf (gold-hoarding dragon)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Fellowship & Companionship
Lemminkäinen & companions in The Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5186
Courage & Transformation
Heroic trials in The Poetic Edda
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Group Tasks
Each group creates a poster: theme statement + 4–6 Hobbit citations + 1 public-domain comparison.
Writing Task
Short analytical essay:
“Which theme is most universal across both The Hobbit and earlier mythic traditions?”
Session 6
Character Debate: Who Is the True Hero?
Public Domain Comparison Texts
Students use ancient heroic archetypes as evidence:
Hero archetype: Beowulf
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Wise wanderer figure: Norse myth (Odin as traveler) in The Poetic Edda
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Debate Positions
Bilbo, Thorin, Gandalf, The Company, or “the dragon shapes the hero.”
Writing Task
Argumentative paragraph with evidence from The Hobbit and at least one public domain comparison.
Session 7
Final Project: The Hobbit Portfolio
Required Components
Focus: Heroism, Adventure, and Transformation Through Collaborative Literacy
General Instructions:
Begin by reading The Hobbit either individually, in groups or as a class. To complete a work quickly, use groups to read the work. This helps with longer texts. Divide the work into sections and assign each group a section. As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters sequentially. As students read, they should complete the literary thinking guide. After reading and reporting on the entire work, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of the life and times of characters through primary sources and writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as migration, cultural exchange, conflict, and resilience.
Primary Text: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937) – public domain in some regions but not in the U.S. Use classroom copies or licensed editions.
Length: 5–7 class sessions (adaptable)
Group Structure: 3–4 students per group
Core Skills:
Reading comprehension
Character analysis
Theme tracking
Creative writing
Argumentative writing
Collaborative discussion
Close textual evidence
Session 1
Launch Activity: The Journey Begins
Prediction Circles + Mythic Backgrounds
Students preview The Hobbit by connecting Bilbo’s journey to traditional mythic and folkloric journeys.
Added Public Domain Text
Example of an epic quest structure from The Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5186
Groups read a short excerpt showing a hero setting off on a journey.
Group Tasks
- Compare the opening of The Hobbit to how heroes begin quests in The Kalevala.
- Chart predictions about Bilbo’s destinations, dangers, and growth.
“Why do so many traditional epics begin with an ordinary person summoned to adventure?”
Use one detail from The Kalevala.
Session 2
Reading Circles: Bilbo the Unlikely Hero
Public Domain Anchor Text
Beowulf’s early characterization as a hero
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Students contrast Beowulf’s confidence with Bilbo’s reluctance.
Group Roles
Discussion Leader, Evidence Finder, Connector, Illustrator
Group Tasks
Track Bilbo’s early doubts vs. emerging bravery.
Writing Task
Paragraph comparison:
“How does Tolkien play with or reject the traditional heroic introduction seen in Beowulf?”
Session 3
Evidence Labs: Trolls, Riddles, Goblins
This session integrates carefully chosen public domain texts that mirror Hobbit scenes.
Station 1: Trolls in Folklore
Grimm’s Fairy Tales — troll-like creatures and folklore woods
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2591
Groups read a short fairy-tale excerpt to compare mood, danger, or humor.
Station 2: Riddles in the Dark
Old English Exeter Book Riddles
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ascp/a02.htm
Students compare Bilbo/Gollum riddles to historical riddle traditions.
Station 3: Goblins & Dark Creatures
The Poetic Edda — dwarves, dark creatures, and mythic underworlds
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Group Tasks
Identify tone, conflict, symbols, and world-building in each pairing.
Writing Task
Micro-analysis comparing one Hobbit passage to one public-domain excerpt.
Optional Creative Task
Write a riddle in the style of the Old English riddles using:
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ascp/a02.htm
Session 4
Creative Writing Workshop: Your Missing Adventure Chapter
Students invent a “lost chapter” set between real chapters of The Hobbit.
Public Domain Inspiration Options
- A magical forest or creature — Grimm’s Fairy Tales
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2591 - An epic confrontation — Beowulf
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328 - A magical artifact or rune — The Poetic Edda
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
- Brainstorm creature, conflict, puzzle, and turning point.
- Storyboard chapter structure.
- Write collaboratively (1.5–3 pages).
Include a descriptive passage modeled after a chosen public domain text.
Session 5
Theme Seminars: Greed, Home, Courage, Fellowship
Public Domain Theme Pairings
To deepen theme discussion:
Greed & Power
Dragon episode in Beowulf (gold-hoarding dragon)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Fellowship & Companionship
Lemminkäinen & companions in The Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5186
Courage & Transformation
Heroic trials in The Poetic Edda
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Group Tasks
Each group creates a poster: theme statement + 4–6 Hobbit citations + 1 public-domain comparison.
Writing Task
Short analytical essay:
“Which theme is most universal across both The Hobbit and earlier mythic traditions?”
Session 6
Character Debate: Who Is the True Hero?
Public Domain Comparison Texts
Students use ancient heroic archetypes as evidence:
Hero archetype: Beowulf
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Wise wanderer figure: Norse myth (Odin as traveler) in The Poetic Edda
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Debate Positions
Bilbo, Thorin, Gandalf, The Company, or “the dragon shapes the hero.”
Writing Task
Argumentative paragraph with evidence from The Hobbit and at least one public domain comparison.
Session 7
Final Project: The Hobbit Portfolio
Required Components
- Journey predictions with comparison to The Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5186 - Character turning points with contrast to hero introductions in Beowulf
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328 - Evidence Lab annotations using Grimm, Edda, and Old English riddles
Grimm: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2591
Poetic Edda: https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm
Riddles: https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ascp/a02.htm - Group-written creative chapter
- Theme seminar poster
- 1-page reflection with references to at least two public domain works