Teaching Shakespeare in Middle School: Making the Bard Easy, Accessible, and Fun

Course Overview
It’s time to take the fear out of Shakespeare! From iambic pentameter to modern-day
adaptations, dramatic soliloquies and adaptable plays, Elizabethan history, May Day, and
lavender cookies, this course will give you a fresh perspective on the teaching of
Shakespeare to middle schoolers. We will discuss grade-appropriate texts to use,
interactive activities, and the opportunity to develop curricular experiences that are easy,
accessible, and fun. Intended for 5th - 8th Grade ELA/Humanities/History Teachers.
 

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will gain an understanding of the different ways in which
Shakespeare can be easily approached, the range of text choices to use, and how
to structure your curriculum to adapt to your classroom’s needs.
2. Participants will explore several fun and accessible hands-on activities and
projects for different grade levels.
3. Participants will gain awareness as to wider Elizabethan era lessons can enhance
the study of Shakespearean plays.
4. Participants will understand the potential for cross-curricular connections from
ELA/History curriculum to other subjects and brainstorm integrated lesson
units with partner teachers.