51ºÚÁÏ

Why Shakespeare? – Understanding the Relevance of the Bard

How do stories shape our understanding of the world and ourselves?

This engaging lesson introduces students to the enduring significance of Shakespeare, exploring his influence on modern language, literature, and culture. Through interactive activities, discussions, and an introduction to Romeo and Juliet, students will gain a deeper appreciation of why Shakespeare remains a powerful storyteller whose themes continue to resonate today.

• Full Lesson Plan – A structured guide with clear objectives and activities.
• Mind Mapping Starter Task – Students activate prior knowledge by brainstorming facts about Shakespeare’s life, works, and influence.
• Language Exploration Activity – Students replace words in sentences with modern slang before learning about common words still in use today that were coined by Shakespeare (e.g., swagger, rant, gossip, savage, epic).
• Shakespeare Biography and Fun Facts – A quick overview of his life, major works, and five fascinating facts students may not know.
• Shakespeare or Not? Quiz – An interactive activity where students determine whether given lines are from Shakespeare or a modern author, demonstrating the timelessness of his writing.
• Act 1, Scene 1 Video Analysis – Students watch a performance of the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet from the National Theatre and reflect on:
  • What is happening in the scene?
  • How do body language and familiar words help us understand meaning?
  • Who are the characters, and what relationships do they have?

• Analytical thinking and discussion skills
• Understanding of Shakespeare’s linguistic and cultural impact
• Engagement with Shakespearean text in an accessible way
• Preparation for deeper exploration of Romeo and Juliet

This lesson is ideal for GCSE English teachers looking to introduce Shakespeare in a dynamic and engaging way. It helps students see the relevance of his works today and builds their confidence in understanding Shakespearean language before diving into the play.

Download now to help students connect with Shakespeare and prepare for their study of Romeo and Juliet.

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51ºÚÁÏ Notice: This resource is for personal classroom use only. Redistribution, resale, or uploading to shared platforms (including school drives and VLEs not for personal classroom use) is strictly prohibited. If you need additional licences, please purchase them separately. © 2024. Revolutionary Education. All rights reserved.