Norse Gods (Northern Lights)

• RE
• Special Education

Norse Gods

 

(The Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights)

Learning objective

I am learning about the beliefs of the Norse Gods (linked to the The Aurora Borealis - The Northern Lights) 

Success Criteria

  How will I know if I have had a successful lesson?

I will be able to name some of the Norse Gods

I will understand the key Norse beliefs

I will understand the significance of the The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Where is Christ the Redeemer statue?

1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. France
4. England

What is the main religion in Rio de Janero, Brazil?

1. Islam
2. Christianity
3. Judaism
4. Buddhism

Christian's believe in how many Gods?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

What is missing from the Holy Trinity
God the Father, God the Son, God the __________

1. Sister
2. Brother
3. Holy Spirit
4. Holy Ghost

Where are aboriginal people from?

1. Iceland
2. Denmark
3. Australia
4. America

Which dreaming story did we learn about?

1. The rainbow serpent
2. The thunder elephant
3. The sunshine snake
4. The snowy leopard

Aurora Borealis

Today we will be looking at Norse Mythology/viking beliefs in connection with our next Natural Wonder of the World, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

This is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions, including countries such as Norway, Sweden and Iceland. 

Norse Gods

When the Vikings arrived in Scotland they introduced their own religion and beliefs. The Vikings worshipped powerful gods and believed that bravery when alive promised them a better life after they died.

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Thor was the god of thunder. He carried a magical hammer, which he used in battle. Norse people thought of him as a powerful warrior. They also believed lightning was caused by him striking the ground with his hammer.

Loki was the god of mischief. He had the ability to shapeshift and took the form of many different animals. Loki enjoyed playing tricks on humans

and the other gods, which would sometimes result in harm. One of his tricks caused the death of Baldr.

Odin was one of the chief Norse gods and was also the god of warriors and poets. He was often described as having one eye after giving the other eye so that he was allowed to drink from the well of Mimir (the source of wisdom). He rode an eight-legged horse named

Sleipner and had two ravens called Huginn (thought) and Muninn

(memory).

Click on the hotspots to learn about some of the main Norse Gods.

Frigg was the wife of Odin and the goddess of marriage and motherhood. Frigg was able to perform seidr. This was a special kind of magic that let her see into the future. The day Friday is named after her –‘Frigg’s day’.

Freya was the Norse goddess of love, beauty and youth. She was very attractive and had a twin brother named Freyr, who was the god of harvest and wealth. Freya lived in Asgard in a beautiful

palace called Folkvangar. She liked to travel in a chariot

led by two cats.

Baldr was the god of purity and light. He was also the son

of Odin and Frigg. He lived in a great hall in the

sky called Breidablik, where only people with pure hearts could enter.

Tyr was the god of war and was a brave warrior. He was known for his wisdom and also fought for justice. Tyr only had one hand, as the

other one was bitten off by Fenrir, Loki’s giant wolf. The day Tuesday

comes from Tyr – ‘Tyr’s day’.

Heimdall was the guardian of the gods. He guarded Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that was the entrance to Asgard, where the gods lived.

Heimdall had a horn called Gjallarhorn which could be heard anywhere on Earth and could be used to summon help in times of danger.

The Vikings believed in just one God

True

False

Who was the Norse God of Thunder?

1. Loki
2. Thor
3. Heimdall
4. Odin

What weapon did Thor carry?

1. Gun
2. Sword
3. Hammer
4. Spear

Who was the God of mischief?

1. Odin
2. Thor
3. Frigg
4. Loki

Who was one of the chiefs of Norse Gods?

1. Thor
2. Loki
3. Odin
4. Freya

Friday is named after which Norse God?

1. Thor
2. Freya
3. Frigg
4. Tyr

What was Tyr the Norse God of?

1. Peace
2. War
3. Death
4. Hope

Thunder

War

Mischief

Love, beauty and youth

Thor

Loki

Freya

Tyr

Name as many Norse Gods as you can remember from this lesson

Who is your favourite Norse God?

Thor

Loki

Odin

Freya

Tyr

Don't have one

Another one we haven't mentioned

Extension task

Complete the fact file about the chief of the Norse Gods Odin. 

Use the information sheet to help you fill out the worksheet.