Happy Birthday to J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary author who brought us the enchanting worlds of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings! Born on January 3, 1892, Tolkien was not only a masterful storyteller but also a linguist, professor, and a lover of nature and mythology. His works continue to inspire readers of all ages, making his birthday a wonderful occasion to bring a bit of Middle Earth magic into your homeschool.
Here are some Montessori-inspired educational activities to celebrate Tolkien’s life and works:
language exploration: create your own elvish words
Tolkien was a philologist who created entire languages for his fictional worlds. Engage your child’s curiosity about linguistics with these novel language works.
1. Introduce them to Tolkien’s Elvish script, like Tengwar, and practice writing simple words.
2. Invite them to invent their own language with unique letters and sounds. The Montessori movable alphabet and metal insets are excellent tools for creating a new fantasy language.
3. Compare Elvish to real-world languages, exploring how words can express similar meanings across cultures.
nature study: discover the flora of middle earth
Tolkien’s stories are rich with descriptions of nature, from the forests of Lothlórien to the Shire’s rolling hills. Dive into botany with these hands-on activities.
4. Identify local plants and compare them to Tolkien’s fictional flora, like Mallorn trees or Athelas. Use a microscope to get a close-up look at the leaf structure.
5. Draw plants inspired by descriptions in the books. You can pack up your supplies and do this while on a hobbit nature walk!
6. Read Tree and Leaf, one of Tolkien’s essays on the importance of myth and nature.
geography: map the journey of the fellowship
Tolkien’s Middle-earth is known for its detailed maps. Inspire a love for geography and cartography.
7. Examine the map of Middle Earth and trace the Fellowship’s journey, then compare with the map your area. Have you done the Montessori “Me on the Map” activity? That could be a natural offshoot of this activity.
8. Create a map of your own “imaginary world” with mountains, rivers, and cities.
9. Discuss how geography influences stories, both fictional and real.
creative writing: write your own adventure tale
Encourage your child’s imagination by helping them create a story inspired by Tolkien’s works.
10. Brainstorm characters, settings, and a central quest.
11. Write and illustrate a short story or comic strip.
12. Share the story aloud, just as Tolkien shared The Hobbit with his children.
practical life: host a hobbit feast
Hobbits, like children, are known for their love of food and celebrations! Incorporate practical life skills into these hobbit-inspired activities.
13. Prepare a “second breakfast” or “elevenses” together.
If you are a homeschool family, this may simply mean giving a new name to the second morning meal your kids are already enjoy! About 15 years ago while I was pregnant with the fifth baby and attending evening college courses, my dear mother was here helping during the school day to give me some uninterrupted writing time. Upon emerging from my writing den, she strongly noted, “These kids eat all day! As soon as you clean up one meal, they’re ready to eat again!!” Second breakfast is very real around here.
14. Help the kids whip up and bake traditional foods like seed cakes or scones.
15. Set a cozy table and discuss the importance of hospitality in Tolkien’s stories, as well as in your family’s life.
art and handwork: create middle-earth crafts
Montessori education values hands-on works and open-ended creative activities, making Tolkien’s world a perfect inspiration.
16. Craft Elvish jewelry using beads and wire.
17. Sculpt creatures like dragons or hobbit holes with clay.
18. Paint a scene from your child’s favorite Tolkien story.
cultural studies: explore tolkien’s inspirations
Tolkien’s works were deeply influenced by myths and legends from around the world. These activities will help you dive into cultural studies.
19. Reading Norse, Anglo-Saxon, or Finnish myths.
20. Discuss how these tales influenced characters like Gandalf or themes in The Silmarillion.
21. Creating a “family myth” by weaving together stories from your own heritage.
the drama of it all
From toddlerdom up to the high school years, my kids reveled in all kinds of dress-up throughout the day–historically accurate, of course.
22. Hobbit-inspired dress-up and role-play. Gather an assortment of Hobbit-themed items, plant the role-playing seed, and enjoy the show. Encourage child-led play, rather than an adult-produced play.
Old bed sheets or scrap fabric can make fast capes and a walk through the woods can produce some wonderful walking sticks. A couple of new mopheads from the dollar store can transform into long white hair and beard. Then, raid the summer clothes for some long shorts to pair with a short waistcoat. Rolled-up khakis or dress pants work too. You may find that along with a vest in the holiday clothes. Your princess dress-up collection can serve double duty in Hobbit land. Head to your recycling bin for an empty toilet tissue tube; slice it into rings and paint them gold. Before you know, you are all set.
Celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday is not just about enjoying his stories; it’s an opportunity to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in your homeschool. Whether through language, art, or storytelling, Tolkien’s legacy offers endless inspiration for young minds.
As Tolkien himself wrote, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Let’s wander into his magical world and discover the joy of learning together.
How will you celebrate Tolkien’s birthday in your homeschool? Share your activities and adventures in the comments below! I would love to see pics; tag @3momsblognojoke on social.
Much mom love,
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