Shakespeare Lesson Plan: To Video or Not To Video? That is the Question!
Submitted by: Myla McCoy
Grade Levels: 9-12
In this multi-day lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 9-12, students use BrainPOP resources to explore the life and works of William Shakespeare. Students will choose a scene from Macbeth (or any Shakespearean play) and video record a modern-day version of a scene.
Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9
Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.9
Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare).
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grades 11–12 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grades 9–10 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
Grade: 11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Grade: 09, 10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Students will:
- Explore the life and works of William Shakespeare.
- Choose a scene from Macbeth (or any Shakespearean play) and video record a modern-day version of a scene from Macbeth.
Materials:
- Internet Access for BrainPOP
- Copy of Macbeth in original text
- Paper/pencil/pen or computer to create script
- Video recording device
- Relevant props
Vocabulary:
soliloquy, hallucinations, tyranny, prophecy
Preparation:
Depending on the size of the class, divide students into groups large or small enough to fit the needs of the chosen scene. Be sure the students are familiar with the context of the scene they have chosen.Lesson Procedure:
- Day 1 - Watch BrainPOP's movie William Shakespeare. Discuss the differences among tragedies, comedies, and the historical plays. Have the students complete the quiz at the end of the movie in pairs. The teacher may assign pairs or allow the students to choose a partner to with whom to complete the quiz. Have them print their results.
- Day 2 - Give students a list of scenes to choose from the Macbeth (or the Shakesperean play of your choice). Have each student read over the list of scenes to evaluate which one he/she will chose to "tranlate." See examples below for Macbeth: -Act 1: Lady Macbeth's Soliloquy -Act 1: Macbeth's Soliloquy -Act 1: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's first argument (should they kill king) -Act 2: 2nd argument (the murder) -Act 2: Aftermath of murder -Act 3: Macbeth's instructions for 2nd murder -Act 3: Banquest scene -Act 4: Macbeth visits the witches -Act 5: Lady Macbeth's insanity -Act 5: Macbeth's desperation -Act 5: The Final Battle
- Days 3 and 4 - After each student has read and chosen a scene, allow time in class for them to begin to translate their scenes into modern text. They will also need this time to decide what each group member will need to complete the video. Feel free to shorten or lengthen the time in class needed to do this.
- Days 5 and 6 - Focus on creating or finding props and other items to enhance the set of the scene. encourage the student to be creative as opposed to buying traditional props. They can also used these days to practice their lines.
- Days 7 and 8 - Filming! Students can use time inside and outside of class to film scenes. Feel free to adjust the time as necessary.
- Day 9 - Presentation day! Each group will show his video to the class. The students will evaluate each video on his/her peer evaluation sheet.
Related:
Filed as:
9-12, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.9, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.6, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.5, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.6, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3, English, Famous Authors and Books, William Shakespeare
