L

[A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM]

Lesson Title
Introduction to Shakespeare

[Year 10 English]

Time
Wednesday, L2, 50 minutes

Objectives
Understand the language used by William Shakespeare in his plays Able to translate a scene into modern language Have a grasp on the plot and characters in the play

Resources
www.shakespeare-online.com A Midsummer Nights Dream, the New Cambridge Edition (act 1 scene1, 2)

Introduction (10 minutes)

- what do you know about Shakespeare? - go through brief Shakespeare biography [print out pictures and stick on whiteboard] - plays in Elizabethan England (what do you like to do for fun?)

Main Activity (30 minutes)

Introduce characters *flow chart on whiteboards] Read through Act 1 Scene 1-2 (students reading parts) - go through section by section (what is Theseus saying here?) - look at language

Differentiations (changes for students) Plenary (10 minutes)

Hand out Shakespearean Insult Kit; spend some time making insulting names

Assessment
Informal - listen to students read, gauge ability to translate text

Homework
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/ act 2 scene 1

Reflection