It’s almost the end of third term and I am so excited to read Shakespeare next term. I found this series to be helpful for the young children. I’ve added a few more favorites to my Shakespeare how-to list.
1. The Oxford School Shakespeare Series: Wow. This series is excellent. Within each book, you’ll find introductory materials which cover relevant historical matters and some commentary about themes, as well as a detailed synopsis of the play. The play itself has excellent side notes and illustrations (which are easier to access than footnotes) and scene summaries. After the play, there are additional notes for further study and classroom discussion and projects. For secondary school years, this is very, very helpful.
A disciplined student who studied all of the introductory material could tackle Shakespeare’s plays on their own and be conversant about themes, characters, and history. I’m always looking for something which will require significant effort from the students but also make it possible to successfully navigate on their own. Of course we’ll probably read the plays aloud and we’ll definitely discuss themes and I will ask for essays, but excellent learning needn’t require constant lecturing from me.
2. William Shakespeare by Rosie Dickins: For elementary students, (and I admit I learned a lot, too) this illustrated history of Shakespeare’s life and times is just a joy. It’s accessible for young people, the illustrations are delightful, and it makes history fun. Timothy really loved this during his second grade year.
3. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt: For the Shakespeare faint of heart. And most of us are. This Newbery Honor book takes place during the Vietnam War and follows a young man in Junior High who finds himself the only Protestant student in his homeroom, which means he and his teacher must find something to do when all of the Catholics and Jews leave school early for religious studies. His teacher decides that they will study Shakespeare. As told by this young man, the story is full of preteen angst and attitude, but through his study of Shakespeare (The Tempest, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet), he discovers that these plays help him better understand humanity and find his way through his problems. My older kids loved this book. It makes you excited to read Shakespeare for yourself and not just for your teacher. Thanks, Mom, for the recommendation.