Top 6 Best 'Saint Giong' Lesson Plans for Grade 6

A. KEY KNOWLEDGE

Summary of the Story

The Legend of Saint Giong is a tale about a great hero who played a significant role in defending the country against foreign invaders.

The story takes place during the reign of the sixth Hung King. In a village, there was an elderly couple who worked hard but had no children. One day, the wife stepped into a large footprint while working in the fields and soon became pregnant. After twelve months, she gave birth to a strong and handsome boy. At three years old, however, the child did not speak or show any signs of development.

When the An invaders attacked, the boy suddenly spoke, asking to fight in the war. Miraculously, he grew rapidly. After consuming vast amounts of food that the villagers provided, he transformed into a mighty warrior, donned in iron armor, riding an iron horse, and wielding an iron whip to defeat the enemy. When the whip broke, he used bamboo from the roadside to strike the invaders.

After the victory, Giong, alone on his horse, climbed to the top of a mountain and ascended into the sky. The people built a temple to honor him, and every year, they held a festival in remembrance. The ponds, lakes, and bamboo groves that turned golden serve as lasting symbols of the great battle of Saint Giong.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1 (Page 22 - Textbook) Who are the characters in the story of Saint Giong? Who is the main character? The main character is portrayed through numerous fantastical and meaningful details. Identify and list these details.

Solution:
* The characters in the story are:
The main character is Saint Giong.
Other characters include:
The elderly couple, Giong's parents.
The king, the royal messenger.
The villagers…
* Saint Giong is portrayed through several fantastical details:
He was born in an unusual way (the mother only stepped into a strange footprint and became pregnant). The pregnancy lasted twelve months, and he didn’t walk, talk, or smile until he was three years old.
When the royal messenger came looking for someone to help the king defend the country, Giong suddenly spoke and asked to go fight the invaders.
He grew at an extraordinary rate, consuming massive amounts of food, and his clothes would break as soon as they were made.
When the invaders arrived, Giong transformed into a giant warrior.
His iron horse could neigh and breathe fire.
He uprooted bamboo to fight the enemy, and the invaders were defeated.
After the battle, Giong and his iron horse flew up to the sky.
Giong’s horse breathed fire that burned an entire village, and the tracks left by the horse’s hooves became ponds, while the bamboo turned golden...

Question 2 (Page 22 - Textbook) What is the meaning of the following details in the story?
a. The first words of the boy, at three years old, were about fighting the invaders.
b. Giong demands an iron horse, an iron whip, and iron armor to fight the invaders.
c. The villagers gladly contribute rice to feed the boy.
d. Giong grows at an incredible rate and becomes a giant warrior.
e. The iron whip breaks, and Giong uses bamboo to fight the invaders.
f. After defeating the invaders, Giong removes his iron armor and ascends to the sky.
Solution:
a. The boy’s first words about going to fight the invaders demonstrate the deep national consciousness of the Vietnamese people. In times of war, from the oldest to the youngest, all are ready to fight to defend the country. This is a magical moment: although he had never spoken before, his first words were about a critical national mission.
b. Giong demands an iron horse, an iron whip, and armor. This detail emphasizes the Vietnamese people's admiration for iron tools and weapons, symbolizing the desire for the best available means to defeat the enemy. To fight invaders, the right weapons are essential.
c. The villagers generously contribute rice to feed the boy, which shows the collective spirit and unity of the people in times of invasion. Giong is the child of the people, nourished and cared for by them.
d. Giong grows rapidly, becoming a giant warrior. This illustrates the strength of the people and the nation. Collective power contributed to the victory over foreign invaders.
e. The iron whip breaks, and Giong uses bamboo to fight the invaders. The iron whip is a weapon of a hero, but when necessary, even nature can be turned into a weapon. Bamboo, a familiar symbol of the Vietnamese countryside, becomes a force for defense.
f. After defeating the invaders, Giong removes his armor and ascends into the sky. Like the people, Giong fights for love of the country, hatred of invaders, and is willing to sacrifice without expecting recognition or rewards.

Question 3 (Page 22 - Textbook) What is the significance of the image of Saint Giong?

Solution:
Giong is born from the people, raised by them. He fought with all the patriotism and hatred for the invaders that the people had. His strength symbolizes not only the collective spirit of unity but also the synergy between humans and nature, using both primitive and modern weapons.
Giong embodies many sources of power:
Divinity (the footprint)
Community (the rice offering)
Iron weapons (technological achievements)
Nature and the land (bamboo)
The image of Saint Giong, with its magical and fantastical elements, symbolizes the patriotism and strength of the people in fighting foreign invaders. It reflects the Vietnamese people's ideal vision of the heroic figure who stands against foreign enemies. The myth also reveals the latent, extraordinary potential within seemingly ordinary people.

Question 4 (Page 22 - Textbook) Myths often relate to historical truths. How does the story of Saint Giong reflect historical events?

Solution:
The myth of Saint Giong is connected to historical events during the era of the Hung Kings:
There were fierce battles fought between the Vietnamese people and foreign invaders from the North.
The Vietnamese people developed iron and steel weapons.
The people united to fight the invaders, using all available means to defend their country.

Question 1 (Exercise - Page 24 Textbook) Which image of Giong stands out the most in your mind?

Solution:
Among the many images of Saint Giong, the most striking is when he rises up, stretching his body, and transforms into a giant warrior, tall and imposing. I find this image powerful because it represents Giong’s extraordinary strength. When the country is in need, every citizen is willing to contribute to the nation’s cause.
Giong, riding alone on his horse, climbs the mountain, sheds his armor, and both he and his horse slowly ascend to the sky. This image captures Giong’s selflessness; after completing his mission, he seeks no fame or reward.

Question 2 (Exercise - Page 24 Textbook) Why is the school sports competition named the Phu Dong Healthy Festival?

Solution:
The competition is intended for the youth, the same age as Saint Giong in the modern era. It hopes that today’s younger generation will embody the strength and spirit of Saint Giong from the past.
The image of Saint Giong represents power, unity, and the spirit of victory, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of a sports competition.

I. Reading and Understanding the Text

Question 1 (Page 22 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): Who are the characters in the story of Saint Giong? Who is the main character? This main character is portrayed with many fantastical and meaningful details. Identify and list these details.

a) The characters in the story "The Legend of Saint Giong" include: Saint Giong, Giong's parents, the royal messenger, the king, the villagers, and the An invaders.

b) The main character is: Saint Giong.

c) Fantastical and magical details:

- The birth of Saint Giong:

+ His mother conceived him just by stepping into a mysterious footprint.

+ Normally, a woman carries a child for nine months, but Giong’s mother was pregnant for twelve months.

- At three years old, Giong could neither walk nor talk.

- When the royal messenger came, Giong suddenly spoke. His first words were instructing his mother to invite the messenger and demanding weapons and armor to fight the invaders.

- After meeting the messenger, Giong grew at an extraordinary rate.

- When he received the horse and weapons, he instantly transformed into a mighty warrior.

- The iron horse breathed fire and charged into battle against the invaders.

- After defeating the enemy, Saint Giong flew into the sky.

Question 2 (Page 22 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): What is the meaning of the following details in the story?

a) Giong’s first words were about fighting invaders: Giong was born to prepare for the defense of the nation in a time of peril. This represents the constant and noble awareness of the Vietnamese people in their struggle to protect their homeland from foreign threats.

b) Giong demands iron weapons: He wants the best weapons of the time to defeat the enemy. To fight invaders, one must ensure the effectiveness of their weaponry.

c) The villagers contribute rice to feed Giong: The hero’s strength is nurtured by simple, everyday actions, emphasizing the collective effort.

d) Giong quickly transforms into a mighty warrior: The nation’s defense cannot be delayed, and the war demands extraordinary power to confront the invaders.

e) This detail emphasizes overcoming obstacles to fight the enemy. Even plants can turn into weapons when necessary, especially bamboo, which is symbolic of the Vietnamese people.

f) After defeating the invaders, Giong removes his armor and ascends to the sky, showing that the hero acts selflessly for a noble cause, without seeking fame or riches.

Question 3 (Page 23 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): What is the significance of the image of Saint Giong?

- Saint Giong represents the quintessential hero who defends the nation.

- Saint Giong draws strength from multiple sources:

+ Divinity (the footprint)

+ The community (the villagers contributing rice)

+ Iron weapons (technological achievements)

+ Nature and the land (village bamboo)

- Through the legend of defeating invaders, the people elevated these heroes into Saint Giong, symbolizing patriotism, strength, and the resurgence of the nation.

Question 4 (Page 23 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): Myths often relate to historical truths. How does the story of Saint Giong reflect historical events?

- During the era of the Hung Kings, our nation was constantly engaged in battles to protect its independence from northern invaders.

- The weapons of our army became more advanced over time.

- In defending against foreign invasion, we rallied the strength of the entire community, involving all people—young and old, men and women—using every available resource to fight the enemy.

II. Practice Exercises

Question 1 (Page 24 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): Which image of Saint Giong stands out the most in your mind?

Answer: You may choose one of the following images:

- The image of Giong suddenly speaking after hearing the royal messenger's call: "Mother, invite the messenger in."

- The image of Giong growing at an incredible pace, becoming a mighty warrior.

- The image of Giong donning iron armor and leaping onto the horse.

- The image of Giong uprooting bamboo to fight the invaders.

Question 2 (Page 24 - Literature Textbook 8, Volume 1): Why is the school sports competition named the Phu Dong Healthy Festival?

Answer: The sports competition is named the Phu Dong Healthy Festival because it celebrates strength, drawing inspiration from the beautiful legend of the Phu Dong village boy (Saint Giong), whose spirit and patriotism serve as a symbol of resilience and love for the country.

Structure:

- Part 1 (From the beginning to "lying there"): The birth of Giong.

- Part 2 (From "continue... to defend the country"): Giong demands to fight the invaders and grows mysteriously.

- Part 3 (From "continue... to ascend to the sky"): Giong defeats the invaders and ascends to the heavens.

Lesson Plan Guide

Question 1 (Page 24, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

- The main characters in the story of Saint Giong are: Giong, Giong’s parents, the king, the emissary, and the An invaders.

- The protagonist: Giong

- This character is depicted with many fantastical and meaningful details:

+ Giong’s mother steps into the giant footprint

+ Giong is born 12 months later

+ Giong eats endlessly and outgrows his clothes in no time.

+ At three years old, he cannot walk, speak, or smile.

+ Upon hearing the emissary’s call, Giong suddenly speaks and requests to go fight the invaders.

+ When given weapons, he grows into a towering warrior.

+ The steel whip breaks, and Giong uses bamboo from the roadside to fight the invaders.

+ After defeating the invaders, Giong ascends to the sky.

Question 2 (Page 22, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

Significance of the details in the story:

a. The detail that highlights the hero’s patriotism, as his first words express his desire to defend the country.

+ The Vietnamese people have an inherent desire to fight invaders, from children to the elderly.

b. This detail shows the extraordinary nature of the hero’s determination to defeat the enemy.

c. The hero, born of the people, is nurtured by them and embodies the strength of the entire nation.

d. In times of foreign invasion, the hero must rise to an extraordinary level to protect the country.

e. In times of hardship, the hero shows quick wit and determination in defeating the invaders.

f. Giong’s immortality is symbolized by his ascension to the heavens, forever part of the land.

Question 3 (Page 23, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

The symbolic meaning of Giong’s character:

- He represents the spirit of unity and the struggle against foreign invaders of the community.

- He is a symbol of patriotism, the capabilities, and the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

- He embodies the archetype of a hero fighting to protect the nation.

Question 4 (Page 23, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

The Legend of Saint Giong connects to historical events:

- During the time of the Hung Kings, the Vietnamese people were always defending their country from invasions from the North.

- The people of Vietnam continuously made breakthroughs in weaponry to fight invaders.

- They understood the importance of creating a united front to defeat the enemy.

Practice

Exercise 1 (Page 24, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

After the steel whip breaks, Saint Giong uses bamboo from the roadside to defeat the invaders:

- This detail demonstrates Giong’s ability to adapt quickly and think on his feet while fighting the invaders.

- The strength and indomitable spirit of the hero enable him to perform extraordinary feats.

Exercise 2 (Page 24, Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

The school sports competition is named "Hội khỏe Phù Đổng" (Phu Dong Health Festival):

- It is a competition that celebrates physical strength, inspired by the legend of Saint Giong’s victory over foreign invaders.

- It educates the youth about patriotism and the importance of defending the nation.

Genre

1. Legend is a type of folk story that tells about historical figures and events related to the distant past. As an oral art form, legends often include elements of imagination and fantasy. Legends express the viewpoints, attitudes, and evaluations of the people towards the historical figures and events being recounted.

2. Legend shares a close relationship with mythology. The fantastic and imaginary elements typical of mythology are often used in legends to ‘mythologize’ historical characters and events, reflecting the admiration and reverence the people have for these figures. Many mythical stories have been ‘historicized’ to become legends (for instance, the legends of the Hung Kings), showing the ongoing development of legends after mythology in the history of folk literature.

3. The legends of the Hung Kings’ era—marking the beginning of Vietnam’s history (about four thousand years ago and lasting for approximately two thousand years)—include stories like the Dragon and Fairy descendants, the Chung Cake and Gioi Cake, the battle of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, and the story of Saint Giong, all of which are deeply tied to the nation’s origin and the effort to build and defend the country during the reign of the Hung Kings.

Answer to Question 1 (page 22 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Who are the characters in the story of Saint Giong? Who is the main character? What imaginary and fantastic details are used to describe this character? List them.

Detailed Answer:

The characters in the story of Saint Giong are: Saint Giong, his mother, the messenger, the king, the villagers, and the An invaders. The main character is Saint Giong. This character is depicted with many fantastical, imaginary details, such as:

- His mother stepping on a strange footprint in the field, leading to her miraculous conception.

- At the age of three, Giong does not speak, smile, or move, lying still wherever placed.

- His first words are demanding to go fight the enemy.

- Despite eating large amounts of food, he remains unsatisfied, and his clothes immediately tear after being put on.

- He rides a horse alone into battle, breaking his iron rod, then uses bamboo to defeat the An invaders, and finally ascends to the sky.

Answer to Question 2 (page 22 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

What is the significance of the details mentioned in pages 22 and 23?

Detailed Answer:

The significance of these details:

a) The first words of the three-year-old boy demanding to go fight the enemy:

- It praises the spirit of fighting to protect the country embodied by Giong; the awareness of defending the homeland is placed at the forefront.

- The desire to fight invaders endows the hero with extraordinary, miraculous powers.

- Giong represents the people. Like the common folk, Giong is quiet and unremarkable in normal times, just like how the people quietly endure. However, when the country is in peril, they rise to defend the nation, just as Giong immediately responds to the call for help.

b) Giong demands a iron horse, an iron rod, and an iron armor to fight the enemy:

- To defeat the invaders, our nation must prepare not just food, but also technological and cultural achievements such as weapons (iron horse, iron rod, iron armor) for the battle.

c) The villagers willingly donate rice to feed the boy:

- Giong grows with the food and clothing provided by the people. His strength is nurtured by simple, everyday resources.

- The people love their country, and they hope Giong grows fast to defeat the invaders and save the country.

- The entire village supports and nourishes Giong. He is not just the child of his mother but belongs to everyone, representing the strength of the whole community.

d) Giong grows incredibly fast and becomes a strong hero:

Giong’s rapid growth symbolizes the need for our nation to rise and meet extraordinary challenges. His swift maturation represents the heroic spirit and resilience of the people in the face of foreign threats.

đ) The iron rod breaks, and Giong uses bamboo to fight the invaders:

Giong fights with more than just weapons; he also uses the natural resources of the land—anything that can help defeat the enemy.

e) After defeating the invaders, Giong removes his armor and flies back to the heavens:

- Giong’s birth was miraculous, and his departure was equally extraordinary. The people love and respect him so much that they allow him to return to the immortal realm, symbolizing the timelessness of the hero.

- After defeating the enemy, Giong does not return for rewards or recognition. The only trace of his victory remains in his homeland and the people he protected.

Answer to Question 3 (page 23 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

What is the meaning of the image of Giong?

Detailed Answer:

- Giong is a powerful symbol of the hero who fights to defend the nation against foreign invaders.

- He embodies the strength of the entire community in the early stages of nation-building: the divine power of ancestors (his miraculous birth); the collective strength of the community (the villagers supporting Giong’s growth); and the strength derived from nature, culture, and technology (iron horse, iron rod, iron armor, bamboo).

- The heroic image of Giong speaks to the patriotism, capability, and resilience of the entire nation in its struggle against foreign aggression.

Answer to Question 4 (page 23 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Legends are often connected to historical truths. What historical truth is related to the story of Saint Giong?

Detailed Answer:

The legend of Saint Giong is related to the following historical truths:

- During the time of the Hung Kings, defensive wars became increasingly fierce, requiring the mobilization of the entire community's strength.

- The number and types of weapons in Vietnam increased from the Phung Nguyen culture to the Dong Son period.

- During the reign of the Hung Kings, although the ancient Vietnamese people were small in number, they fiercely resisted the larger invading forces to protect their community.

EXERCISES

Answer to Question 1 (page 24 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

What image of Giong is the most beautiful in your mind?

Answer:

You can choose based on your own feelings. Here is a suggestion:

- The heroic figure in iron armor, holding a rod, riding on a horse. The horse breathes fire, and the hero urges the horse to gallop straight towards the invaders, slaying them one by one as they fall like wheat.

=> This passage describing Giong in battle is thrilling. The image of the heroic Giong charging into battle remains deeply etched in the minds of the Vietnamese people.

Answer to Question 2 (page 24 of Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Why do you think the school sports competition is called the “Phu Dong Healthy Competition”?

Answer:

The reason the school sports competition is called the “Phu Dong Healthy Competition” is because:

- This competition is for teenagers, students—the age group of Giong in modern times.

- The purpose of this competition is to build physical strength for better learning, working, and contributing to the development of the nation.

Structure

Structure: 4 paragraphs

- Paragraph 1 (From the beginning … to ‘lie still where placed’): The miraculous birth of Giong.

- Paragraph 2 (Next … to ‘fight to protect the country’): Giong meets the messenger and grows at an incredible rate.

- Paragraph 3 (Next … to ‘slowly ascends to the sky’): Giong and the people fight and defeat the An invaders.

- Paragraph 4 (Remaining): Giong ascends to the heavens.

Main content:

The story of Saint Giong praises the love for the country and the indomitable spirit of fighting against foreign invaders for the independence and freedom of Vietnam during ancient times.

Reading Comprehension

Question 1 - Page 22 of the textbook

Who are the characters in the story 'The Legend of Saint Giong'? Who is the main character? The main character is built with numerous magical and symbolic details. Please identify and list those details.

Answer:

* The characters in the story are:

- Saint Giong, the main character.

- Other characters include:

the elderly couple, Giong's parents,
the King, imperial messengers,
the villagers, and others.

* Saint Giong is portrayed through many magical, imaginary elements:

He was born unusually (his mother conceived him after stepping into a mysterious footprint). He was pregnant for twelve months and, at the age of three, couldn’t walk, talk, or smile.
When the imperial messenger came seeking a hero to fight the invaders, Giong suddenly spoke up and asked to fight.
Giong grew rapidly, constantly hungry and outgrowing his clothes almost instantly.
When the enemies arrived, Giong grew into a tall, powerful warrior.
His iron horse neighed and could breathe fire.
He used bamboo from the roadside as weapons, and the enemy was defeated.
After the battle, Giong and his iron horse ascended to the sky.
The horse’s fiery breath burned a village, and the horse's hooves left behind ponds and golden-colored bamboo.

Question 2 - Page 22 of the textbook

The special details in the story represent various profound meanings:

Answer:

- First, Giong’s first words were a request to fight the invaders. This symbolizes the Vietnamese people’s deep consciousness of resisting foreign invaders. When the country is in danger, people of all ages, from the elderly to the young, are ready to fight. This reflects the strong and constant sense of patriotism.

- Second, Giong demanded a steel horse, iron whip, and armor to fight. Unlike other children asking for toys, Giong requested weapons. The iron tools symbolize the best available weapons to defeat the enemy. In war, powerful tools are essential to victory.

- Third, the villagers willingly contributed rice to feed the young hero. Giong is the child of the people, nourished and raised by them. His strength is the collective strength of the people, united in spirit and purpose.

- Fourth, Giong grew rapidly, becoming a heroic warrior. This signifies the strength of the people and the nation. In peaceful times, people may seem ordinary, but when war comes, their unity becomes an extraordinary, powerful force capable of crushing the enemy.

- Fifth, Giong’s iron whip broke, so he used bamboo to strike the enemy. The iron whip symbolizes the weapon of a hero, but in times of need, even nature’s elements can turn into weapons.

- Sixth, after defeating the enemy, Giong shed his armor and ascended to the heavens. This reflects that Giong, like the people, fought for love of the nation, hatred of invaders, and a willingness to sacrifice without caring for personal fame or wealth.

Question 3 - Page 23 of the textbook

What is the symbolic meaning of the character of Saint Giong?

Answer:

- Saint Giong represents the archetype of a hero fighting against foreign invaders.

- Giong was born from the people and raised by them. His battle is fought with the spirit of patriotism and the collective hatred of the enemy. Giong’s power symbolizes not just the strength of the people’s unity but also the combined force of nature and man, using both ancient and modern weapons.

- From the tradition of defending the nation, the people have deified heroes, turning them into legendary figures who embody patriotism and the nation’s unwavering will to rise up against adversity.

Question 4 - Page 23 of the textbook

Mythology often connects with historical truths. In your opinion, what historical truth is reflected in the story of 'Saint Giong'?

Answer:

The historical truth reflected in the story of Saint Giong is the era of the Hung Kings.

- During a time when the agricultural economy of rice farming had flourished, the people of Van Lang created a brilliant civilization but also had to fight against foreign invaders from the North to protect their land.

- In addition to rice cultivation, the people at that time had begun to make weapons for defense, particularly using iron.

- The legend also reflects how, throughout history, we have always mobilized the collective strength of the community to use all available means to resist invaders.

Practice

Question 1 - Page 24 of the textbook

Which image of Saint Giong stands out as the most beautiful in your mind?

Answer:

Saint Giong is associated with many memorable images, but perhaps the most striking is when he rides into battle.

- The warrior leaps onto his iron horse, the horse neighs, and they charge into battle, breathing fire and trampling the enemy.

- The iron whip breaks, and Giong pulls up bamboo to strike the invaders.

- He chases the enemies until none remain.

Question 2 - Page 24 of the textbook

Why do you think the school sports competitions are named 'The Phu Dong Healthy Games'?

Answer:

The sports competitions in schools today are named 'The Phu Dong Healthy Games' because:

- The organizers hope that today’s youth will emulate the strength and spirit of Saint Giong.

- They aim to showcase the power of youth, emphasizing that the purpose of physical training is to contribute to the nation.