Instructions
- Read the facts about Goliath of Gath carefully.
- Complete the activities in each section to learn about his size, his armor, and his story.
- Use a ruler or your own height to help with the comparisons in the "Measuring a Giant" section.
- If you finish early, try the Giant Challenge at the bottom of the page!
The Story of the Giant
A long time ago, in a place called Gath, lived a man named Goliath. He was a soldier for the Philistine army. Goliath wasn't just a regular soldier; he was a giant! He was much taller and stronger than anyone else. For 40 days, he stood on a hill and challenged the army of Israel to a fight, but everyone was too scared until a young shepherd boy named David stepped forward.
Section 1: Measuring a Giant
Goliath was about 9 feet and 9 inches tall. That is taller than a basketball hoop!
Circle the items below that you think are SHORTER than Goliath:
- A refrigerator
- A school bus
- A standard doorway
- A bicycle
- A two-story house
Section 2: Heavy Metal Gear
Goliath wore special armor made of bronze to protect himself. It was very heavy! He wore a helmet, a coat of metal scales, and guards on his legs. He even had a helper who carried a huge shield in front of him.
Match the gear to where it goes on the body (Draw a line):
| Goliath's Gear | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Bronze Helmet | Legs |
| Coat of Mail (Scales) | Head |
| Bronze Greaves | Chest and Back |
| Giant Spear | Hands |
Section 3: The Weight of a Warrior
Goliath's armor weighed about 125 pounds. That is like carrying two or three 7-year-old children on your back! Use the table below to compare Goliath's heavy things to things you know.
| Goliath's Item | What it is like... | My Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| His Armor (125 lbs) | Like 3 large bags of dog food | |
| His Spear Head (15 lbs) | ||
| His Height (Nearly 10 ft) | ||
| His Sword | ||
| His Bronze Helmet | ||
| His Giant Shield |
Section 4: Word Search Adventure
Find and circle these words from Goliath's story: GIANT, GATH, BRONZE, ARMOR, DAVID, SPEAR.
(Teacher/Parent Note: Encourage the student to look horizontally and vertically)
| G | A | T | H | X | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | R | O | N | Z | E |
| D | A | V | I | D | P |
| G | I | A | N | T | E |
| A | R | M | O | R | A |
| S | P | E | A | R | R |
Section 5: Thinking Like a Hero
Goliath was very big and had the best weapons, but David was brave because he had faith.
Short Answer: If you had to face a giant problem (like a very hard math test or learning a scary new skill), what "tools" could you use to be brave like David?
(Write your answer below)
Giant Challenge (Optional)
If Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall, and you are about 4 feet tall, how many "yous" would have to stand on each other's shoulders to be taller than Goliath? Show your math or draw a picture!
Answer Key
Section 1 (Shorter than Goliath):
- A refrigerator (usually 6ft)
- A standard doorway (usually 7ft)
- A bicycle
Section 2 (Matching):
- Helmet -> Head
- Coat of Mail -> Chest and Back
- Greaves -> Legs
- Spear -> Hands
Section 3 (Comparison Table): Answers will vary by student. Examples: Spear head = 3 bricks; Height = a ceiling; Sword = a heavy sledgehammer.
Section 4 (Word Search):
- GATH (Row 1)
- BRONZE (Row 2)
- DAVID (Row 3)
- GIANT (Row 4)
- ARMOR (Row 5)
- SPEAR (Row 6)
Giant Challenge: 3 people (4ft + 4ft + 4ft = 12ft, which is more than 9ft 9in).