-zoë lynskey & kristi le cren. archetypal stories enduring themes his contributions to our...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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/
Dictionary
http://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