Shakespeare in the Classroom

Can we all agree that William Shakespeare was a super cool guy, just for a minute? Thanks.

Now, how would you convince a six or seven year old that he was this super cool guy, when they might already have preconceived ideas that Shakespeare is difficult and frustrating? What is he writing about? How does this apply to a child's education, and more importantly, how do you ensure that the child is able to absorb the material? I'm an Early Childhood Education major, and I have absolutely no doubt that there will be tiny thespians in my future.

I think that Shakespeare's comedies are a wonderful introduction for young children. One of the things that makes A Midsummer Night's Dream so inviting is the sense of wonder, fantasy and magic that has the power to hold a student's attention. Children have the opportunity to play a character, with a fun and over-the-top selection. Want to be a fairy, a king or a donkey? Sign me up! If given a chance to express themselves through Shakespeare's words, they may discover how much his story resonates with their lives. A Midsummer Night's Dream has all the goods: power, fighting, love. Aren't these all things that children, let alone adults, have to deal with? Children will be able to internalize the characters' emotions and sympathize. Who wouldn't like to pretend to play pranks on mere mortals, like Puck? Or be as obnoxious as Bottom? Playing and living are the greatest learning tools. Giving children the outlet to play with their work is a much more rewarding experience than working on a Shakespeare worksheet at a desk.

However, it's still important that a young class' Shakespearean adventures be developmentally appropriate. Am I expecting a kindergarten class to memorize all of Act I? No, but there are other interactive ways for the students to communicate the material. They can portray their character through interpretive dance, painting and putting Shakespeare in their own words. Teachers can have older students from other classes come in and help the younger ones grasp their parts. Not only should the Shakespeare curriculum include educational books, but videos and performances as well.

There is no reason why Shakespeare can not be taught in every classroom. Although it has become more and more difficult to incorporate "fun" elements due to budget cuts and higher standardized testing demands, Shakespeare is able to transcend through different school subjects to teach the whole child.