National Endowment for the Humanities
Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
Young scholars research the social context of Elizabethan England for Shakespeare's "Hamlet". They identify cultural influences on the play focusing on the theme of revenge and then analyze and compare film interpretations of the play.
Curated OER
Elizabethan England Worksheet
Set the stage for your next literary or historical adventure into Elizabethan England with this straightforward worksheet, which includes questions covering the political, social, and economic situation of the period. Ask your class to...
Curated OER
Elizabethan Monarchy
Fifth graders explain the difference between democracy and monarchy. They see how the Queen Elizabeth and her Privy Council ran England. They explain the different terms involved in the Elizabethan government.
Shakespeare Uncovered
Women’s Roles in As You Like It
“There is nothing that becommeth a maid better than soberness, silence, shamefastness, and chastity, both of body & mind.” This line, from Thomas Bentley ‘s The Monument of Matrons published in 1582, typifies the way women were...
PBS
Supernatural Shakespeare and Macbeth
"A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come." The withered and wild witches of Shakespeare’s Scottish play launch an examination of the fantastical elements in Act I, scene iii, paying particular attention to the action, imagery,...
Curated OER
Enter an Enchanged Wood with Shakespeare
Students research William Shakespeare and his literary works. They study a variety of literary terms and different elements of his plays. They also research the Globe Theatre and different elements of the theatre in general.
Curated OER
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet quiz
Review The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet with this quick quiz. Operating as an overview of the play, use this quiz to prepare readers for a test perhaps. The questions cover various elements from character foils to the plot sequence.
Curated OER
Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
Students discover how Shakespeare's play interprets Elizabethan attitudes toward revenge, as reflected in the structure of the Elizabethan revenge tragedy, one of the most popular forms of drama of that era. Students perform certain...
Curated OER
Student Based Oral Reading & Presentation Study of Shakespeare's 12th Night
Students develop an appreciation for Shakespeare by researching the Elizabethan period and situations in the Twelfth Night. In this Shakespeare play lesson, students complete a 52 page packet to learn about the period of time and...
Curated OER
A New Look at Romeo and Juliet
Students explore life and language development in the Elizabethan Age. In this English lesson plan students complete web-quests and other activities surrounding Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Curated OER
The John Travolta Syndrome
Students examine the influence of music and film on contemporary fashion. For this popular culture lesson, students research select films featuring John Travolta. Students research selected time periods in American history as well....
Reed Novel Studies
The Shakespeare Stealer: Novel Study
Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? That is where Widge, a character of The Shakespeare Stealer, finds himself. Readers find out how Widge handles his situation by answering comprehension questions, completing...
Curated OER
Macbethan Art
Young scholars review and reproduce an article of Elizabethan styled clothing as a part of an analysis of Shakespeare's Macbeth. In this Elizabethan art instructional activity, students discuss the fashion of the Elizabethan era and...
Curated OER
Times of Shakespeare
In this listening comprehension interactive worksheet, students watch the included video about Shakespeare and complete a cloze listening activity. There are eighteen fill-in sentences to complete.
Curated OER
Elizabethan England To Glorious Revolution
Students explore the development of England from 1500 to 1689 in this eight lessons unit. The various parts of history affected by both political and religious factors are synthesized in this unit.
PBS
Shakespeare & The Renaissance: Activity Ideas
Looking for ways to implement the words and works of William Shakespeare into your curriculum? This list of activity ideas is a great starting point, as it covers a wide range of grade levels and a wealth of online references to explore.
Curated OER
Tudor Costume
In this Tudor clothing worksheet, 7th graders analyze pictures and read short passages about the costumes during the early and late Tudor period. Students also learn the 9 steps of putting on an Elizabethan gown.
Curated OER
Til Death Do Us Part
Ninth graders read Romeo and Juliet. They complete a character analysis on one of the major players and present it in an informative and entertaining way. They rewrite and perform one scene from another character's point of view.
Curated OER
Romeo and Juliet Mix-It-Up
Young scholars identify themes in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet by analyzing the film or text. In this tolerance lesson plan, students create their own Elizabethan era terms related to interacting with different social groups. In...
Curated OER
Shakespeare's Words
High schoolers explore monologues of Shakespeare and the structure of the Globe Theatre. They participate in a Shakespeare phrase guessing game, examine a diagram of the Globe Theatre, and read and discuss monologues from Shakespeare.
Curated OER
Othello's Predecessors: Moors in Renaissance Popular Literature
Students gather textual citations from Othello, discuss stereotypes that they hold, examine primary source materials, and write character profiles.
Curated OER
Much Ado About Shakespeare
Lesson ideas to introduce pupils to the life, language, and works of William Shakespeare.
Curated OER
Shakespeare Stealer: Design a Set
In groups, learners design sets for the play, "Shakespeare Stealer." They sketch a scale model of a set and present it to the teacher, who will choose which group gets to design the entire set.
Curated OER
Acting in Marriage-Is It on Stage or Off?
Students compare views of marriage in Macbeth and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. In this comparative literature lesson, students discuss and debate the marriages of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth Brick and Maggie's...