Creature’s Cryptic Companions

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is designed to spark creativity and linguistic fun by asking students to write a kenning for each listed creature. A kenning is a figurative expression that replaces a common noun with a more descriptive phrase, often found in Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry. The worksheet presents seven different animals for which students are expected to create unique, two-word phrases that capture something characteristic about each one. It’s a playful way to engage with language and learn about a historical literary device.

The purpose of this worksheet is to educate students on the use of kennings, a poetic device that combines two words to describe an object in a metaphorical manner. Through this exercise, students will learn how to think metaphorically and enhance their descriptive writing skills. The worksheet encourages them to draw connections between a creature’s characteristics and broader concepts or actions, thereby deepening their understanding of metaphorical language. It serves as a creative bridge between vocabulary development and literary history, emphasizing the power of poetic expression.