Introduction:
How
would you like to feel what it was like to live during Shakespeare’s
time?
Today
you will travel back through time to the Elizabethan Era, wake up in the
London town of Stratford-on-Avon, and attend one of the Bard’s
plays at the famous Globe Theater.
But
watch out! You will need to
avoid the Plague, the sharp sword of your enemy, and perhaps a marriage
proposal or two.
(Further
warning: you may see dancing by men in tights!)
Welcome to . . . Shakespeare for Kids!
Your
mission:
In
order to prove the existence of time travel, you will need to carry a personal diary during your
trip. You will write down
everything that amazes, disgusts, and/or baffles you.
But
there is a secret to time travel: you may not change history. Therefore, in order to keep your identity secret, you must
choose a disguise!
Remember,
even in your diary, to keep your true identity secret.
For this, you will need the writing skills of Shakespeare
himself, and we will be your audience.
Your
instructions:
You must:
1.
Choose a disguise.
2.
Read the scenario for the disguise you have chosen. Click on the
icon. This will bring you to a chart of websites for your
research.
3.
Using your worksheet, take notes in each category from each of the
websites you visit. Be sure to attribute your notes in the spaces
provided to the website from which the information came. This
citation will
become important when you write your diary.
For "a day in the life worksheet" click here
4.
Write "A Day in the Life . . .", a day's diary written
as if you are the character, living during Elizabethan
times. You must use a minimum of 50 facts! This means
that your character must
-
think
and act to reflect daily Elizabethan life
-
visit the
marketplace and use money
-
attend a Globe Theatre
performance of one of Shakespeare's plays
-
fall
ill and seek treatment
-
interact with
at least 5 other characters during the day
-
feel
the impact of living during Queen Elizabeth's time, as well as the
world's political and social realities
-
use language
that reflects the Elizabethan Era.
5.
Your completed diary should appear authentic to the Elizabethan
Era. Ideas for final product include calligraphy with ink pens, diagrams, maps and letters.
Click
here
to
see assessment and grading rubric.
So
step up to the stage and enter: Let the Play begin!
(Choose
your disguise)
Conclusion:
Thank
you for taking this romp through the Shakespearean Era. I hope
you've had fun dressing, eating, acting and swearing like a true
Elizabethan.
Studying
Shakespeare's times can help bring his plays to life, and help us
interpret his language and meaning.
Why
are Shakespeare's plays so popular today? Why so much enthusiasm in
every generation to re-make, re-style and re-visit his plays?
Let's
explore this idea as we move forward with "Shakespeare for
Kids": a study of his characters' most famous speeches, the sonnet,
and our Elizabethan Faire.
And
how will it all turn out?
"I
dunno. It's a mystery!"
(Shakespeare in Love, 1999)
Credits
|
