60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
How to do Shakespear in early elementary (year 2)
- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by
.
Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
- Posts
Hi all. I just started CM (though I’ve dabbled with it before) and it’s been going great. My 5 year old joins in listening to my readings and shares some prompted narrations. They’ve both been thouroughly enjoying the readings and have been doing a great job with narration. Today we tried to do Shakespear. I read half of Lamb’s Shakespear “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” It seemed very difficult for their level and when I was done I asked if they knew what the story was about and they had NO idea. Then I shortly recapped the main plot and asked, “does that sound familiar at all?” and they said “not at all.” It just made me chuckle but I’m wondering how you all would suggest teaching Shakespear in year two? Is there a more appropriate version or play to be reading instead? Any suggestions would be very helpful!
There are some picture book options, some of which are quite good. Just be sure to preview; some are a little too graphic for the littles.
I have had better success with Beautiful Stories than with the Lamb’s book. Also, my library had picture books by Bruce Coville for several stories. My children (at 6 and 7) liked Midsummers Night Dream and Twelfth Night. I couldn’t get them much further than those two. Then we had more success with Beautiful Stories. Bruce Coville also has and audio book of Shakespeare stories and they love to listen to it in the car. I plan on trying again with Lamb’s now that they are more familiar with the stories. Dover also has a coloring book of Shakespeare scenes which i haven’t used but thought it looked good:)
HTH,terri
We use Lamb’s, since my kids are older. I’ve heard the Nesbit version is good for youngers. One thing we do to help keep characters straight is I cut out cereal boxes and we draw on the blank side using a marker to draw the characters and how they’re connected—putting family members on the same side, maybe drawing a heart between two people that love each other, etc. HTH some:) Gina
Yes, Lamb’s is for older children, say starting around 10. The Nesbit version is excellent and for theb exception of one story, mine have been able to follow along and enjoy since they were around 6. Try reading it with different inflections in your voice for the different characters and adding as much drama as possible, if you’re not already doing so.
I also have the Jim Weiss Shakespeare which they have listened to which makes it accessiable, too.
Rachel
I am also using Beautiful Stories… the first couple of stories my son was like a dear in headlights… we just kept going at it (on AO’s schedule) – and suddenly on the 3rd one, my son started “getting” it. We have read a few more, and his response is “I LOVE Shakespeare!”. I don’t do anything special except reading it, and periodically ask him what is happening… and occasionally explaining a phrase or so. After we read the story, the next day I see if there is a BBC Animated version of the story on YouTube and we watch that. He already knows a bit of the story, and the animated version uses more of Shakespeares language – but he gets to see the action.
Yes, my children get excited when I bring Nesbit’s out on Friday’s to read and occasionally ask for it at other times.
Rachel
Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
- The topic ‘How to do Shakespear in early elementary (year 2)’ is closed to new replies.