shakespeare
Description:
During this unit, students will explore the world of William Shakespeare and evaluate how his upbringing contributed to his literary works. They will read Shakespearean sonnets, as well as excerpts and key scenes from several versions of Hamlet, one of the Bard's most famous plays. In addition, students will get the chance to see Shakespeare enacted, and will get to participate in bringing scenes to life themselves.
Essential and Subject Question(s):
Common Core Standards:
Text Set:
Materials:
During this unit, students will explore the world of William Shakespeare and evaluate how his upbringing contributed to his literary works. They will read Shakespearean sonnets, as well as excerpts and key scenes from several versions of Hamlet, one of the Bard's most famous plays. In addition, students will get the chance to see Shakespeare enacted, and will get to participate in bringing scenes to life themselves.
Essential and Subject Question(s):
- How do authors use particular language to convey a message?
- How did the cultural and historical context in which Shakespeare wrote affect his writing?
- What are some themes of specific Shakespearean works? What themes cross works?
- How does Hamlet fit into the structure of a five act play?
- What is a tragic hero, and how does Hamlet exemplify this role?
Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.R.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.R.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.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.R.11-12.3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed)
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.R.11-12.7. Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
- 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.
- 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.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- Activating Background Knowledge: student-lead research presentations
- Comprehension and Quote Analysis Questions
- Quarter Two Outside Reading Book
- Hamlet Scenes: acting out scenes from Hamlet in groups
- Peer Assessment: assessing the writing, presentations, and performances of peers
- Informative Essay: Elizabethan England research paper
- Elizabethan England Research Project: paper, product, and presentation
- Summative Assessment: mock trial
Text Set:
- Poetry: Shakespeare's sonnets
- Fiction: Hamlet; "Hamlet By Horatio," from Scholastic VOICE
- Nonfiction: "Shakespeare: The Man and His Theater," from Scholastic VOICE
- Film: Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet; excerpts from Shakespeare Uncovered: The Stories Behind the Bard's Greatest Plays (PBS)
Materials: