To Teach Shakespeare [S2 E45]

Today is all about…SHAKESPEARE!

This very special episode is not only an in-depth Q&A where we answer your deepest, burning question about teaching Shakespeare, but it is also an announcement of an incredible, FREE professional development event coming in April!

Join the Brave New Teaching duo April 5-10th for the first annual Shakespeare Teacher Festival!

In this episode…

We talk at length about the importance of:

  • Showing the play as a critical scaffold for students

  • Designing Essential Questions that anchor what’s important, how you’ll choose close reads, and how much time you have to pace your unit

  • Engagement comes once students understand the story. Let’s say it louder: LET THEM SEE THE PLAY FIRST. It’s okay. You have permission to stop reading the play cover to cover in your class.

  • Students can’t get to the human connection of Shakespeare if students can’t access the plot.

  • Focus on the skills that are the most important and give kids the chance to practice those same skills over and over again.

We can’t wait to hear what you thought of the episode - let us know in the comments what was the most helpful piece of advice in the comments!

Pure Michigan Translation Activity Materials:

Amanda talked in the episode about reverse translating some Shakespearian language. Here are a few helpful tools if you want to try this today!

A Pure Michigan commercial

My favorite Elizabethan English translator handout

Amanda Cardenas