Lesson Plan: Shakespeare for Kids

by Homeschooling-ideas.com

Even I have to agree that covering Shakespeare in a week for the Smorgasbord free homeschool curriculum is a bit of a challenge!

The plan then, is for the kids to produce a 60 second version of a Shakespeare play.

Preparation


  • Get hold of some easy versions of Shakespeare's plays. Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare is good and also available on audio (free) here.

  • Review the lesson plans on the BBC website.

  • Charge camera or video batteries.


    • Lesson Plan


    Day 1 - Review some of Shakespeare's plays with the children and decide which one you are going to focus on. Check out some of the 60 second Shakespeare examples on the BBC website to see the sort of thing you are aiming for.
    Day 2 - Decide what parts of the play need to be included. Write the story (use a storyboard) and plan how you will make the story into film or audio.
    Day 3+4 - Collect props and make any scenery you need. Download any software you need for making the film. Do filming.
    Day 5 - Editing, viewing and reviewing. If you have time, pick some of the other ideas (such a making a model of The Globe Theatre).

    Further Help and Resources


    You can make a 'film' quite easily just using ordinary photographs. My homeschool videos were made this way using Windows Movie Maker (it comes free with Windows - I am sure there will be a Mac equivalent). We recorded the speech using Windows (free!) sound recorder (do a search in the programs box).

    You could also make an animation or film the production using your video camera.

    If you think a whole play is too much, then you could use these monologues instead.

    More Resources
  • Teachit have some great posters available with Shakespeare quotations perfect for putting around the house. You have to sign up (free) to access them - and you need to scroll down the page a little to find them.

  • Good site for research, timelines and information.

  • Great page of links and ideas.

  • Make a model of The Globe Theatre.

  • Shakespeare Mini books from Currclick.

  • Lapbook from Currclick.


    • Want to see our version? Here it is (Yes, my children are very literal!)



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    Comments for
    Lesson Plan: Shakespeare for Kids

    Click here to add your own comments

    'Top Ten Shakespeare Stories' by Terry Deary
    by: Karen

    Highly recommend 'Top Ten Shakespeare Stories' by Terry Deary (author of Horrible Histories series). Very funny with lots of child appeal. I've also taken my kids (10 & 12) to Shakespeare in the Park the last 2 summers. I thought they might be too young but they loved it. Partly the novelty of being out in the open air and combining the experience with a picnic!

    Thanks Karen. The open air Shakespeare sound fun. I think mine will love that too!

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