Engaging Modern Students with the Works of

Shakespeare-Zoë Lynskey & Kristi Le Cren

Why is Shakespeare Worth Teaching?

Archetypal stories

Enduring themes

His contributions to our

language

Development of theatre

Questions What is the issue with teaching and learning

Shakespeare in today’s classroom?

What do the students think about Shakespeare?

If given the choice how would students teach Shakespeare?

Would we teach Shakespeare?

Feedback on teaching and learning Shakespeare

‘The language is hard to understand so I get bored and switch off’

‘You should teach it at the beginning of the year because it is the hardest’

‘What is the point?’ ‘I enjoy Shakespeare but it takes forever because people in

the class don’t get it.’ ‘It needs to be more relevant to the theme we are studying

this year, it feels like it has just been tacked on.’ ‘We have not done any Shakespeare’ ‘I wish we did more activities than just have to read all the

time.’ ‘The stories are really cool when you can actually understand

them.’ ‘I think the teacher only teaches it because she likes it.’

Issues:

Shakespeare optional

Language barrier

One-size-fits-all

So how would you teach it? ‘Learn more about the language

from year 9 maybe build up a vocabulary or even practise writing using the language’

‘Link it to heaps of other texts especially modern ones, it would help me remember and be more interesting.’

‘Look at little bits of the play first and build up to a full play, makes it less intimidating.’

‘Maybe using different examples of the play.’

‘Have different activities for different people.’

Possible approaches to maximise engagement

Technology Language- Build Up Year 9 Context or history? Relevance to modern day Connections to other mediums Actively participating (not just reading) Diversifying Shakespeare for mixed ability

Facebook

Brings Shakespeare into 21stcentury using a medium students can relate to

Before – Hamlet is based on...? Saxo Grammaticus’

Gesta Danorum Oriental versions:

Persian, Arabian and Byzantian

English romances

Modern Comparison

Having students compare Shakespeare to a modern text which is not an actual adaption

Brave New World and The Tempest

After – Adaptations of Hamlet

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

Rockabye Hamlet Hamlet (the Opera) Hamletmachine Let the Devil Wear

Black The Lion King

“Urban Slang” Editions

Condenses and modernizes the five acts

Uses contemporary urban slang

Written by a New York City public school teacher

“For Kids” Versions

Written in rhyming couplets

Low literacy Written by a Canadian

school teacher and illustrated by her class

“Manga / Graphic Novel” Versions

Would We Teach Shakespeare?

ZOË

Yes: Important part of our

language There is a lot you can

do with his stories I am a huge fan!

KRISTI

Yes: Important stage in

development of the theatre

Adaptable Timeless

Goals

Have students understand Shakespearean language

Have Shakespearean English spoken confidently in the classroom

Shakespearean English brought back into mainstream usage

Shakespearean English accepted as New Zealand’s third official language of the New Zealand Curriculum

Sign our petition

Prithee hear this. My advocation is that thou brave lads and fair maidens dost make thy mark. On these barks thou thoughts to character that our glorious tongue be spoken forevermore.

Resources

Internet Shakespeare Editions http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/

Dictionaryhttp://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-dictionary.htm

Resources

www.lapis.plus.com/shakespeare/overview.htm

http://technology.edublogs.org/files/2007/02/bowman-and-pieters-shakespeare-our-contemporary.pdf

http://seas3.elte.hu/angolpark/Texts/VinceMate/VinceTeachingShakespeare.pdf

www.stuff.co.nz/national/719335 www.teach-shakespeare.com/ www.nosweatshakespear.com