Shakespeare
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”
(From As You Like It)
2015
Katie Murphy
kmurphy@usd345.com
Class Website: Google Classroom
Turn assignments in to: Google Classroom
Proofread assignments at: www.grammarly.com/edu/students
Make an appt. in the writing center at http://shswritingcenter.setmore.com
Course Description/Overview
This course is taught as a college level course, preparing students for literature
courses taken in college and the possible expectations in them. This course is
taught with a literary emphasis rather than dramatic. Bringing out an
understanding and appreciation in each student for Shakespeare and his works as
well as the classic themes in his plays is the underlying goal. The enjoyment of
each play can be met only through the continuous positive efforts of each
individual student.
Material to be covered:
Full Playso Midsummer Nights Dream
o Macbeth
o Taming of the Shrew
o Hamlet
Biographical Information on William Shakespeare, Historical Information on Elizabethan Era, and
Information on Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Testing Procedures: A test will be given at the end of each unit. Tests may include a range of questions including but not
limited to multiple choice, essay, short answer, and true/false. Final Exam will be cumulative.
Daily Requirements for Class:
1. Pencil or Pen
2. Three-ring binder with extra loose-leaf paper, and dividers.
3. Textbook /Copy of Play we are reading
4. Participation
The following will be required of each student:
o
ALL students will take their turn at assuming roles in plays and reading aloud with feeling and emotion,
thus demonstrating understanding of the text.
o
Students will view film versions of certain plays to supplement those read in class.
o
Students will be tested over each play read.
o
Students will write a minimum of four full papers during the course of the semester.
o
Students will do reading outside of class time
o
Students will participate in classroom discussions.
o
Students are expected to know MLA format and use this format for writing all papers. If a student is
unclear on MLA format, it is the student’s responsibility to research what this means, and apply it to
all writing assignments.
Grading: Grades will be made up of a combination of all work during the semester. The grade will include projects, tests,
homework, and daily work. *Extra credit may be made available during the semester, listen for opportunities.
*** FINAL EXAM*** The final exam will be worth 10% of the overall grade and it will be CUMULATIVE
(Comprehensive) and will include information from all plays studied in class as well as biographical information
about Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era. Make sure to keep all graded work and notes from the semester in order to
review for the final.
Attendance, Late Work and Make-Up Work:
1. School rules apply for tardiness, absences, etc.
2. . After an absence, it is your responsibility to get the work.
All assignments, PowerPoints, handouts are posted on my website. It is your responsibility to
print any materials that you have lost or missed. I do not give extra copies. You are expected to
be caught up in a timely fashion.
If you miss a day, you should contact me before they next class period. You should be caught up by
the time the next class happens. Each student will be provided with a copy of each play being
read. It is your responsibility to make sure you are caught up. If you come in to class and we have
a quiz over the reading, you will be expected to take it, even if you were absent. In college, a
professor will not care if you were gone last time.
If you are gone for a quiz, you will need to arrange to make this up within 1 week.
3. If you will be missing a class period for a school related absence, you are to discuss what you will
be missing with your teacher BEFORE you miss the class. If assignments are due on the day of
your absence, you must turn them in prior to missing class.
4. Late work – No late work will be accepted.
5. Missing class is not an excuse for not doing the work. You are given at schedule that explains
every day of the class. You are expected to do any work or reading missed in class on your own
time and be ready for the next class period.
Writing Papers and Plagiarism: There will be times when students are asked to write papers for this class. There are some
standard rules that will apply.
1. All papers should be typed. Students will have plenty of time to plan ahead in order to obtained a computer to use
for this task.
2. Grading criteria changes based on assignment requirements, but all papers will be graded on the 6 trait writing
system.
3. Students should become familiar with these traits.
4. All assignments are expected to meet MLA formatting requirements. If a student does not meet these requirements,
they will be docked points. Questions about MLA formatting should be done prior to an assignment being handed
in.
5. Students will turn in all written assignments to http://classjump.com/
6. All papers will have a page length to meet. This will usually be 3-5 pages.
Students must meet this criterion or they will be docked a letter grade from their assignment.
7. Plagiarism is unacceptable
8. WRITING CENTER- SHS now has a student run writing center located in the library. This center is available
during seminar and select days before and after school. Students are encouraged to use this resource to improve
their writing.
9. Ms. Murphy may require a student to attend the writing center for help on an assignment as part of the grade.
Classroom Rules:
RESPECT- Students are expected to respect each other and exhibit a good attitude towards learning while in class.
Name-calling and foul language are NOT to be used. (unless it is in Shakespearean) You are to act as you would at
a place. Treat your classmates respectfully
CHEATING- If a student is caught looking at another student’s test they will receive a grade of zero. Same rule
applies to homework. Copying another student’s homework will result in a grade of 0 both for the person who
copied and the person whose answers have been copied. It is not worth it. Don’t let anyone “borrow” your answers.
Act your age, not your shoe size- This class is for seniors, it will be expected that all students in the class will act
as seniors in high school. No sleeping, no immaturity.
BE ON TIME. Rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be in your seat to be
counted on time.
BE NICE TO MURPH-Treat Ms. Murphy and her classroom with respect. I do not go into your locker and
mess with your things. Do not come into my classroom and mess with mine. Leave things that are not yours
alone. Do not touch posters, things on my desk, things on file cabniets, etc.
BE READY- When the bell rings, be ready to go. I should not have to stand there are wait for you. Begin the
opening activity within one minute after the tardy bell. Please do not wait for me to remind you to begin. Make sure
you are awake and ready for class to start. Don’t make me have you all get up and do the hokie pokey… I will do
it.
SAVE IT- Attend to personal needs before coming to class. If you need to text someone, do it before class. If
you need to potty, do it before class. IF you need to fill a water bottle, do it before class.
SIT, STAY-Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up. Throw scraps away at the end
of the period on your way out. If you need to get a kleenex or sharpen a pencil, make sure to be respectful and do it
when there is work time, NOT when someone is talking.
NO!-No food will be eaten in my classroom. You may bring drinks as long as they are in a twist of f bottle only.
IF it can spill on my floor, you are not to bring it.
BRING YO STUFF-Bring required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed.
Use polite speech and body language. Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is unacceptable.
Electronic devices are to be put away or they may be confiscated. This rule includes cell phones, mp3 players,
game systems, etc. This also includes ear buds and headphones. Take them off and put them away. There will
be times when I will allow you to listen to music, but I will let you know when that will be. If I see you texting, I
will take your phone. No video taping or taking pictures. Music devices should be off and out of sight. Take the ear
buds out of your ears.
OPEN CLASSROOM- I know the hallway can be distracting, but you are NOT to have conversations with people
who walk by the class. Ignore them, there is an invisible wall there. If you have conversations with people during
class, you will be given a detention.
Why Study
Shakespeare?
On the final exam, students are asked the question “Should Shakespeare be taught in high school? Why or why
not?” The following are some of the answers from students during the 2013-2014 school year.
I think that Shakespeare should be taught to high school students because he shows us many things that we could
never have even thought of- Ryan
I think Shakespeare should continue to be taught in high school. It allows students to experience something
different than just modern literature. If they like Shakespeare, they’ll be able to further their education with it
and learn new things. –Mariah
Coming in to this class, I really had no idea of what to expect. I didn’t think I would really like it cause I we had
done some Shakespeare in other classes and I hated it. But once we got into the course, I realized how interesting
it really is. It still astounds me that one man can write so many different plays, plots, and complex characters. It
is a course everyone should take, not just as another English class, but to actually learn some pretty cool things.
So in my opinion I think it should always be taught in high school. – Sam
This class is an incredibly nice break from the usual English classes, which generally focus on grammar. This
class was more entertaining than those ever were. Learning more about Shakespeare creates well-rounded
students, which are what job providers are looking for, so keep Shakespeare in schools! - Dawson
When I signed up for this class, I was really nervous because I didn’t like to read out loud, but this class helped
me open up more. All the books were have read were interesting to me because there really aren’t books that are
this way any more. Everyone should take Shakespeare, it’s really enjoyable and you won’t hear about it
anywhere else. - Mackenzie
I do think that Shakespeare should continue to be taught. For the most part, I enjoyed his plays and most others
did as well. Getting to learn some history at the same time was also beneficial, since a lot of modern language
comes from Shakespeare, getting to learn where a word came from and seeing how English used to be was
interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the class and I think it should continue to be taught. - Chris
Tentative Schedule for Semester
Dates are Tentative and May Change
Date
8/17
IN CLASS ACTIVITES
Welcome Back
Go Over Syllabus and Rules
8/18
Introduction Quiz
Shakespeare Webquest
Shakespeare Biography/Background Info
Prezi/Video
Introduction to Midsummer Night’s Dream
Introduction to Shakespeare Comedy
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Act 1 Read and Discuss
View part of movie if time allows
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Quiz over Act 1
Act 2 Read and Discuss
View part of movie if time allows
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Quiz over Act 2
Insult Activity
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Act 3 Scene 1 Read and Discuss
View part of movie if time allows
8/20
8/24
8/25
8/27
8/31
9/1
9/3
9/7
9/8
9/10
9/14
9/15
9/17
9/21
9/22
9/24
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Act 3 Scene 2 Read and Discuss
View part of movie if time allows
Assign Essay
No School
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Act 3 quiz
Act 4 read and Discuss
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Quiz over Act 4
Act 5 Read and Discuss
Review For Test
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Test
Macbeth Introduction Notes
Curse of Macbeth
Elements of Tragedy
Read Act 1 of Macbeth
View Movie if time allows
Finish Viewing Act 1
Quiz over Act 1
Read Act 2 of Macbeth
View Movie if time allows
Read Act 3 of Macbeth
ITEMS DUE
Webquest Due
Act 1 & 2 questions due
Act 3 questions due
Act 4-5 questions due
Midsummer Essay Due
Macbeth Act 1 Questions Due
9/28
9/30
10/1
10/5
10/6
10/8
10/13
10/14
10/15
10/19
10/20
10/22
10/26
10/27
10/29
11/2
11/3
11/5
11/10
11/12
11/16
11/17
View Movie if time allows
View Act 3 of Film
Discuss Essay
Quiz over Act 3
Read Act 4 of Macbeth
View Movie if time allows
Quiz over Act 4
Read Act 5 of Macbeth
View Movie if time allows
Macbeth Test
Finish Movie
Introduction to Taming of the Shrew
Read Act 1 of Taming of the Shrew
View Act 1 of the Movie
Taming Activity
Quiz over Act 1
Read Act 2 of Taming of the Shrew
Quiz over Act 2
Read Act 3 of Taming of the Shrew
No School
Quiz over Act 3
Read Act 4 of Taming of the Shrew
Quiz over Act 4
Read Act 5 of Taming of the Shrew
Assign Taming of the Shrew Paper
Begin 10 things I hate about you
Continue 10 things
Finish 10 Things
Review for Exam
Taming of the Shrew Exam
Introduction to Hamlet
Begin Reading Act 1 of Hamlet
Finish Reading Act 1 of Hamlet
Act 1 Quiz
View Act 1 of Hamlet
Read Act 2 of Hamlet
View Act 2 of the Movie
Begin Act 3
Act 2-3 questions due
Macbeth Act 4-5 Questions
Due
Macbeth Essay Due
Act 1 questions
Act 2 questions
Act 3 questions
Act 4-5 questions
10 things I hate about Shrew
Paper Due
Act 1 and 2 questions
“Giving Up the Ghost” Due
11/19
11/26
11/27
11/30
12/1
12/3
Finish Act 3
View Act 3 of the Movie
Assign Hamlet Paper
Quiz over Act 3
View Act 3 of the Movie
Act 4 of Hamlet
View Act 4 of Hamlet
Quiz over Act 4
view Act 5 of Hamlet
12/7
TTYL Activity
12/8
12/10
12/14
TTYL Activity
View Lion King
Review for Final Exam
Act 3 questions
Act 5 Questions Due Many
Faces of Hamlet Project Due
TTYL Activity
Hamlet Paper Due
12/15
Semester Final