The author does not really like "Hamlet." He loves the play, the language, and the characters, but always finds it difficult to teach. Part of this is because he prefers to assign students scenes to perform as they read a Shakespeare text, but Hamlet does not divide nicely into manageable scenes, and he usually does not have enough teenage Ken…

The discussion questions and essay prompts in this collection were compiled from contributions made by participants in the 1991 Arizona Shakespeare-Milton Institute. After an introduction which presents some general guidelines for teachers and students, the collection addresses the following works: "As You Like It"; "The…

Discusses ways to teach modern plays and poetry, using a reader response approach that makes the works more accessible to students. (HTH)

Claims that high school curricula should provide opportunities for students to vicariously explore the relationships, roles, and ideas that appear in Shakespearean drama. Uses the dilemma dramatized in "Hamlet" as an example. (JD)

Discusses the concept that a philosophical approach to reading "Hamlet" is the easiest for students to comprehend. (DF)

This lesson plan complements study of plot and characterization in "Romeo and Juliet" by focusing on Shakespeare's use of lyric forms and conventions to spotlight moments in the drama and thereby heightens the impact of the action on the stage. Students look first at the sonnet in which Romeo and Juliet meet, analyzing the imagery to…

One of the best means to create student awareness of play structure is through assigned reading and classroom discussion of successful plays used as models. Various plays from the 1982 edition of "Best Short Plays" are appropriate for discussion of the following structures and techniques: (1) development of conflict and action, suspense,…

Effective drama teaching improves the following student skills: speaking and listening, reading and writing through developing thinking, communication skills, and critical analysis. Drama is part of young people's core curriculum entitlement in the United Kingdom. It is included in the English Curriculum Orders and in the Key Stage 3 Framework for…

In a college-level introductory French literature course, one teacher uses a highly structured curriculum of lecture, class discussion, written assignments, improvisation, and dramatic performance. This approach encourages students to practice all language skills while learning to become independent critical readers and interpret literary works as…

The lessons in this 10-day unit for high school sophomores are designed to: (1) acquaint students with terminology related to visual literacy; (2) enable students to make comparisons between drama for the theater and drama for film; (3) acquaint students with the basic structural elements of film such as movement, lighting, sound and music,…

A dozen exercises designed to enhance the understanding and appreciation of literature in a second language are described, including dictation, reading, playing with intonation, choosing a cover picture, selection of significant extracts, comparative analyses, an author interview, production of a sketch or play, simulation, or planning a film…

Reviews the evolution of Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE) since its inception in 1984. Asserts that DBAE has had a major impact on art education and now is influencing the performing arts as well. Recommends that DBAE principles should be applied to all of arts education not just the visual arts. (CFR)

This 14-16 day curriculum unit is designed for use in English and language arts classrooms, grades 9-12 and community college. While it is the fifth section in a series of five on the literature of war and peace, it can be used with or without the other four sections. Each section of the series focuses on a different genre of the literature of war…

Noting that instructional films can serve as a valuable tool to motivate students and to help them organize, interpret, and evaluate concepts presented, this program guide is designed to assist teachers in planning instructional activities that will effectively integrate films into the English language arts curriculum. The first section of the…