Shakespeare, and more specifically studying Shakespeare, is a topic I am passionate about. Studying Shakespeare can (and should) be done at an early age with our children. Let me tell you why and give you the resources to do so!
I recently had a conversation with my daughter’s father-in-law about studying Shakespeare. He came across a book in a box of books I had brought to her house – No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, and asked to borrow it. Why? Because he said he never got a good grasp of Shakespeare and thought the format of this book was interesting and would be helpful.
This launched me into my monologue about how our schools failed us in terms of learning (and loving) Shakespeare. If you are like me, once you entered high school you were faced with reading the original Elizabethan version of Shakespeare’s plays. No one prepared us for how different this language was. They just expected us to read it, interpret it and write extensive papers about it. No wonder so many of us grew up despising it!
So how would I have changed this? (And have changed it, at least for my kids.) We started studying Shakespeare during the elementary years in our homeschool. If you use age appropriate resources at the right times with your children, they won’t fear Shakespeare. They will grow up knowing the stories and will be better equipped to then tackle the full works of Shakespeare with confidence!
Resources for Studying Shakespeare For All Grade Levels
1. Shakespeare’s Storybook: Folk Tales That Inspired the Bard
I fully believe that introducing Shakespeare is a case where the earlier, the better applies. Luckily for us there are tons of ways, and many resources to help us do that!
2. No Fear Shakespeare Series by Spark Notes
These No Fear Shakespeare books make studying Shakespeare in High School SO MUCH EASIER! These books give a side by side rendition of the play with the original text on the left page and a modern translation on the right page.
3. Introduce Your Children to Shakespeare
Do you hesitate to introduce Shakespeare’s plays because you think your children aren’t old enough? Do you think it would be too confusing, or that they might form an early dislike of the world’s most famous plays? Let me encourage you to give it a try!
4. How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare
We all appreciate any help we can get in teaching anything to do with Shakespeare. How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig is a guide to teaching your children to memorize some of the best passages from Shakespeare.
5. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Art Project & History Lesson
Nana of You ARE an ARTiST has a fun art and history lesson on Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre
Resources by Age for Studying Shakespeare
Shakespeare for kids! Who am I kidding? This is not just Shakespeare for kids, but for adults too! While these are resources meant for younger audiences, they are great for adults like myself too! If you want to really understand and study Shakespeare, these resources are for everyone!
How to Teach Shakespeare in Middle School
Whether you have covered Shakespeare yet or not, I have put together some great resources, and a plan, for How to Teach Middle School Shakespeare.
Studying Shakespeare in High School
This is an entire series on Studying Shakespeare in High School. It covers topics such as:
- Why Teach Shakespeare?
- Shakespeare’s Sonnets
- Romeo and Juliet
- Hamlet
National Poetry Month
Not only do we celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in April, but we also celebrate National Poetry Month in April! Here are some wonderful resources for including poetry in your homeschool:
The Poetry Homeschool – Throughout the ages people have sung, recited, or read poetry. Poetry seems to have always been a vital aspect of human life, and as homeschoolers we have the opportunity to introduce it to our children in such a way that they will enjoy and be inspired by it for the rest of their lives. The authors at The Curriculum Choice share their favorite poems and poetry resources so that your family, too, can enjoy poetry as you homeschool. We share with you the poetry homeschool.
Using Poetry for Young People in Your Homeschool – includes Shakespeare!
The Beauty of Combining Poetry and Art in Your Homeschool – Combining poetry and art in your homeschool is a wonderful way to help your child learn. Enjoy these tips for getting started and a free worksheet!
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