Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Shakespeare invented over 2,000 words and expressive phrases. In this lesson, students use drawing and pantomime to identify and analyze some of Shakespeare's phrases. They then write a story using the newly-identified words, lines, and phrases. This is one lesson, but it could be broken into 2 lesson plans (30-45 minutes each) that enables students to:
--identify words invented by William Shakespeare.
--interpret the meaning of words through drawing.
--identify words by interpreting drawings.
--analyze the meaning of a line or phrase.
--pantomime to communicate the meaning of a line or phrase.
--interpret pantomime to identify a line or phrase.
--write a short story using Shakespeare invented words, lines, and phrases.

This lesson plan puts a modern spin on the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet. Students are asked to create original, modern interpretations of specific events described in the play and apply their knowledge of current technologies to each character. Would Romeo have used an iPod? How would blogging have affected the relationship between the Montagues and Capulets? This is a thought-provoking activity that challenges students to analyze literary elements while considering the effect of technology on behaviors and outcomes. Aligned to National Standards.

This online reference contains nearly everything a student of Shakespeare needs, including a complete library of works, summaries of the plays, a collection of quotes organized by work, and a useful glossary of words used by the Bard. Also includes information about the controversial authorship debate, a Shakespearean timeline, and biographical information.

Make the Bard more approachable for younger students with this clever, interactive resource. Kids of all ages can enjoy delving into the life of Queen Elizabeth and the works of William Shakespeare. Explore full texts of plays in PDF format, interactive word games, challenges, and puzzles, historical lessons (some are interactive), and fun facts about Shakespeare and his theater. A word of caution: many of the activities on this site require prior knowledge of Shakespearean plays and characters. Choose wisely based on the level and language skills of your students, and the depth of your study of Shakespeare. Use to introduce the Elizabethan era, review important concepts, or extend a literature unit with a bit of history. Created by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Here's the teachers' guide for the PBS Frontline presentation examining the famous question: were Shakespeare's works actually written by Christopher Marlowe. The site offers program excerpts, background information, and facts pro and con. Use it as the basis for your own examination of the question, or in conjunction with TeachersFirst's unit on Christopher Marlowe.

Here's another unit built around Romeo & Juliet, this one from the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute. The eight-week unit is designed specifically for low-ability learners, though it can be adapted for other ability levels.