Magnus Chase & Norse Mythology

The tales of Norse myths are told in the poetic and prose edda, and they were written by Snorri Sturloson. From the great abyss, known as Ginnungagap, came the world of fire (Muspellheim) and the world of ice (Niflheim). In the neutral area where the two worlds met, a giant named Ymir was created from drops of melted ice.

To feed himself, he created Adhumla, the primordial sheep. While he was sleeping, the lesser frost giants manifested from the remaining dew. Licking the salty blocks of frozen ice, Adhumla freed Bori (a giant) from the ice. His son, Borr, married Bestla, the daughter of a giant, and they had three sons - Odin, Vili, and Ve.  These boys believed they were destined to rule the world, so they killed Ymir. 

The three sons made the world, the sky, and the clouds from Ymir's body. They created man and woman from two trees, and Odin became the father of all the gods. 

Baldr was a son of Odin and the most handsome of all of the gods. One day, his mother, Frigg, had a dream that he was going to die. She commanded all things in the world not to harm her son, but she forgot mistletoe. Loki fashioned an arrow with a tip of mistletoe and guided Baldr's blind brother, Hodr's, hand to aim at him while the gods where throwing things at him to see if they could harm him. Baldr's brother killed him. 

In search of infinite wisdom, Odin went to the well of Mimir at the roots of Yggdrasil. In exchange for the knowledge, Odin gave Mimir his left eye and hung himself for nine days.  Odin has two wolves who keep him company as he travels the world.  He also keeps two ravens, who help to find food for the wolves and have the job of reporting back on events around the nine worlds.

Did you know...?  In Old Norse sources, trolls dwelled in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, lived together in small family units, and were rarely helpful to human beings.

Pronunciation Guide

• Ginnungagap --GEEN-un-guh-gahp
• Muspellheim--MOOS-pehl-haym
• Niflheim--NIHF-uhl-haym
• Adhumla--ahd-HOOM-lah
• Baldr--BALD-er
• Mimir--MIH-mear

For this unit, our spine read is Magnus Chase

Access the complete unit study in the World Mythology Unit Studies Bundle!

Includes sixteen unit studies covering world mythologies. Each unit addresses a new topic, spanning ancient through modern history.

• Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.
• There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
• After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
• You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
• There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
• Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
• We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.

Product sample:  Percy Jackson & Greek Mythology

These studies are directed toward upper grades students, but some have resources for younger students so that the whole family can work together. Our family has used unit studies as curriculum for many years, and we hope that your family will enjoy these, too!