“The Student” or “There and Back Again” A Travel Journal of a student on the Silk Road

“The Hobbit” ► A book by J.R.R. Tolkien  Published in 1937  About the journey of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins from his home in the Shire to and from the Lonely Mountain in Middle Earth.  He encounters many adventurous events in the people he meets and the places he goes. ► The first of three parts of the book will be released as a movie on Dec. 14 th

Marco Polo ► Marco Polo ( ), is probably the most famous Westerner who traveled on the Silk Road. He exceeded all the other travelers in his determination, his writing, and his influence. His journey through Asia lasted 24 years. He reached further than any of his predecessors, beyond Mongolia to China. He became a confidant of Kublai Khan ( ). He traveled the whole of China and returned to tell the tale, which became the greatest travelogue.

“Here and Back Again” ► A journal narrative of a student traveling the Silk Road from Europe to China then China to Europe. ► The Description of the World or The Travels of Marco Polo

“Here and Back Again” ► A journal narrative of a hobbit traveling throughout Middle Earth.

The Shire vs. Europe/China

Characters of the Hobbit

Characters of the Silk Road

Places in Middle Earth

Places along the Silk Road

Directions ► Research the travels of Marco Polo ► Prepare a PowerPoint of your journey from Europe to China and back again ► Describe the people that you meet and the places you go ► Include pictures and descriptions of those people, places, and events ► Utilize vocabulary appropriate to each place