Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

 Author: Unknown

This edition: a verse translation by Keith Harrison

ISBN: 978-0-19-954016-7

Grammar Fix It! Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 

Author: Pamela White

ISBN: 978-1-62341-177-0

(Institute for Excellence in Writing)

Hi Everyone

I have two things here for you today. 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is a book I studied, a few years ago now, and it still remains a treasure piece of literature in my mind. Now I am taking a student on a literary journey, using the novel and this curriculum.

Let's start with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Written in the 14th century, by an unknown author, and this gem of poetry which still graces our book stores, universities, schools and homes today.  Now that to me says "Must Read!".  This is the second time that I have read this and I still loved every bit of it.  I have a confession to make... I love poetry and verse. That said, I may be a little bias on the fact  because this is a long work of poetry.  It could be called a story or it could be called poetry.  Whichever way you look at it, I without a doubt encourage you to pick up a copy and try it.  

When I first got handed a copy I was far from convinced.  I probably wouldn't have read it if I didn't need to write an essay on thing.  Today, I am thankful that I have enjoyed reading it for a second time.  It re-opened my eyes to a genre that often goes left on the back of shelves, neglected.  I would love to see a world of this genre re-opened up, for this generation to enjoy.  Then again, maybe there is more out there that I am to discover, so if anyone knows of some modern versions of poetic book then please let me know.  I want more!

You will find many resources online to accompany this book such as Spark notes and of course there is the one I am highlighting here for you today - Grammar fix it (if you live outside NZ then try EIW.com ).  Of course there is a good write up over on Wikipedia and if you put 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' into Youtube there are multiple links to videos and reviews. 

To Grammar Fix It...

What exactly is Grammar Fix It?

It is a curriculum that takes the student through 32 weeks of fixing grammar using a story.  In this instance, 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is used.  Each week there are four days of a couple of sentences that need correcting.  Each one is clearly written in the student book.  The teacher book has a copy of each student page along with notes and corrections.  In the back of the student book there are flash cards which can be cut out; an excellent glossary; a completion certificate.  By the end of the year the student has a corrected story of their own - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  

I like to use the curriculum along side the novel as a supplement course in grammar and English. The student gets a taste of the novel, poetry, analysation and grammar - all in one when used together.  Fantastic.

Grammar Fix It comes in 6 levels and this edition is the 6th level.  

Overall, 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' remains a brilliant piece of literature in my views. I would highly recommend experiencing the read if you can pick up a copy.

Description:

"Middle English poem in Alliterative verse written by an unknown called Peral Poet.  The poem is one of four (possibly all by the same writer) which appear in a single manuscript of the collection of Sir Robert Bruce COTTON.

Perhaps the greatest single Arthurian legend in English, this masterpiece of Middle English writing concerns the ordeal of the ideal knight, Sir Gawain. ... Into the midst of New Year festivities at King Arthur's court burst a green giant on horseback.  he dares any of Arthur's knights to chop off his head on condition in one year he be allowed to return the blow... "    Taken from: Benet's readers Encyclopedia - fourth edition"

Happy reading

You will find Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also within Ambleside curriculum and Sonlight curriculum.