Mercy! It's a wise teacher that knows their own students and what they need to appreciate Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. A 28-page tool kit ensures that every scholar will play a part. The kit is divided into 20 sections, each of which has step-by-step instructions for activities, links to videos, background information, and teacher tips. A resource worth its weight in gold to those new to using the play with their classes, or those who have long incorporated it into their curriculum.

Concepts

william shakespeare, tragedies, dramatic plays, the merchant of venice

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Preview the entire tool kit to select those activities most appropriate for your classroom
• Introduce the play by showing the video linked in the first section of the tool kit
• Before reading the play, provide information on the common medieval and renaissance misconceptions about Jewish people

Classroom Considerations

• A protocol must be in place for a safe, respectful discussion of the apparent anti-Semitism in the play
• The tool kit does not address the anti-Semitism in the play
• Requires computers with internet access as well as copies of the play

Pros

• The activities are designed to appeal to mainstream classes as well as theatre arts students

Cons

• None