Episode 6
12th March 2013
Activity
Shakespeare in School
Key Learning
Students will develop a deeper understanding of the life and work of William Shakespeare.
The Australian Curriculum > English / Language / Language variation and change
Content description
Understand that the pronunciation, spelling and meanings of words
have histories and change over time. Code ACELA1500
General capabilities
Literacy
Intercultural understanding
The Australian Curriculum > History / Historical skills / Explanation and communication
Content description
Develop texts, particularly narratives. Code ACHHS070,
ACHHS086
General capabilities
Literacy
Develop texts, particularly narratives and descriptions, which
incorporate source materials. Code ACHHS124
Focus Questions
1. Before watching Shakespeare in School, predict what the story is going to be about.
2. What are the kids in the story learning about?
3. Learning about the playwright William Shakespeare is usually something kids do in high school. True or
false?
4. Why is Shakespeare’s writing difficult to understand?
5. List 3 words invented by William Shakespeare.
6. Name one of William Shakespeare’s plays.
7. Think of three adjectives to describe the work of William Shakespeare.
8. Hold your own classroom poll. Do you think kids in primary schools should learn about the language of
Shakespeare? Explain your answer.
9. Why do you think BtN reported on this story?
10. How has your thinking changed since watching the Shakespeare in School story?
Activities
Playing with words
Did you know that William Shakespeare is given credit for introducing nearly 2,000 words into the English
language? Check out these words that we still use today.
©ABC 2013
alligator
hoodwinked
mimic
critical
jaded
obscene
eyeball
laughingstock
puke
frugal
luggage
skim milk
gloomy
majestic
zany
Ask students to write what they think is the meaning of each word (including unfamiliar words). Swap
definitions with a partner and ask them to add to or change the definition. Check these against the dictionary
definition.
Further activities for students:
 Make your own word search
 Use these words in your own sentences
 Create a rap using these words
As a class watch this fun animation on The History of English to find out more about Shakespeare and how
he has influenced the English language. List the words in the animation that were invented by Shakespeare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkuUADWW2A
Who is Shakespeare? – create a biography
Students will develop a biography on William Shakespeare. Establish what students already know about
William Shakespeare. What sort of information is included in a biography? What does a biography tell us
about a person?
The following website has examples of biographies for students to look at
http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/contemporary_gallery,14538.html
The following plan provides a guide for students when writing a biography.
 Research
 Set a direction for your biography
 Create a plan
 Start writing
 Edit
For a more detailed plan download this pdf document. http://planningwithkids.com/wp-content/2012/06/PWKHow-to-write-a-Biography-v1.0.pdf
©ABC 2013
Here are some question ideas to start your research:
 Why is William Shakespeare famous?
 What are some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays?
 When was he born and when did he die?
 What was his nationality?
 Who did he marry and did he have any children?
 Describe the language that Shakespeare used in his plays.
 Describe the period in which William Shakespeare lived.
 What impact has Shakespeare had on the English language?
 Create a timeline – highlight important events that occurred during William Shakespeare’s life on a
timeline. Include some other key or interesting events that occurred during the same time. For
example, did you know that pencils were invented about the time Shakespeare was born?
Encourage students to present their research using maps, timelines, drawings and photographs in an
interesting way, for example using:



Prezi http://prezi.com/index/
Glogster http://www.glogster.com/
Bio Cube Creator http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/
Remind students that they will need to cite all references in a bibliography at the end of their biography.
Further Investigation
Create a portrait of William Shakespeare. Encourage students to explore and experiment with different
techniques and media to produce their portrait. These could include painting, drawing, photography, collage
or mixed media.
 Related Research Links
ABC News – Shakespeare to become part of life for primary as well as secondary schools
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-28/shakespeare-to-become-part-of-life-for-primary-as/4546114
Behind the News – Shakespeare in School
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3208642.htm
CBBC Newsround – Who is Shakespeare?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/showbiz/shakespeare/newsid_3539000/3539058.stm
BBC History – William Shakespeare
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/shakespeare_william.shtml
BBC Primary History: Famous People – William Shakespeare
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/famouspeople/william_shakespeare/
BBC Bitesize – Rome and Juliet
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/shakespeare_summaries/romeo_juliet/revision/1/
YouTube – Animated Shakespeare for kids
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8B976DA09DC11FE3
YouTube – Shakespeare: The History of English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkuUADWW2A
©ABC 2013