Shakespeare with a 5th and 2nd grader?

Hi,

I thought I’d share our experience.  Years ago, I bought a book from Rainbow Resource called Stories from Shakespeare by Usborne.  It is a big Red book with a dustjacket.  Inside are different Shakespeare plays with colored Illustrations.  The stories are easy for my kids to understand.  This is a starting point for us, and when they are older(middle school on up); they will have an easier time reading the actual Shakespeare.  Now, in terms of CM; this is probably considered a dumbed down approach; but we’ve all enjoyed it.

We actually use it during Term 1 and Term 3 once a week.  On Thursdays we get out the book and Mom or the oldest child reads aloud a few pages of the play we’re working on.  I do not have them narrate this; but you could.  When we finish the entire play over a few weeks time; then I have them reenact the play for me.  That is a lot of fun for them and me.

Hope this helps.

I will also have a 5th and 2nd grader next year.  This year we read a few plays together using Lamb’s Shakespeare.  It was a good level for my 5th grader.  Some was over my 2nd graders head, but he enjoyed most of it once I explained a bit.  I also made/had the kids make little drawings of the characters to keep them straight—permanent marker on the back of an old cereal box.  

Next year, I think my plan will be to read just one play for the year.  First semester using Lamb’s for both (it’s a great version, easier to understand, but still some old language to gently acclamate).  Second semester I will do the original with my eldest using No Fear Shakespeare (it has side-by-side original with modern language).  We also watch a short youtube video from BBC.  I have a link if you are interested. The one we watched had been edited for children—there was one borderline questionable scene, but not bad.  Got most of these ides from Ambleside moms, so I can’t take credit if you like any of them:)  Blessings, Gina

Okay, I knew I had a book titled Shakespeare something, but wasn’t sure until I went to the book shelf.  It is titled Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb.  Is this the book you are talking about?  I think I found this at the Friends of the Library, but not sure. 

Anyway, I have looked through it for a few minutes and first of all just by reading a few paragraphs I am hooked!!  This is going to be fun.  I think that I would rather use this than the picture books (as nice as they were, maybe for my 41/2 year old to look at?) that I was thinking of using.  This book states that it is Complete and Unabridged, but I think that with discussion my (almost) 8 yo could understand. 

I had no idea until now as to what I was going to use in the fall, but at least I have a starting point and already have a book:)  Now other than reading and discussing these plays what else would qualify as a study of Shakespeare?  Maybe there will be a play we can take our kids to, wouldn’t that be fun?!

Each play/story has one picture/drawing in the beginning and the stories are 12-13 pages long. Not too much on each page, but enough. 

I have to admit that when I got the book I just grabbed it to have something in the house with the name Shakespeare on it.  I have been overwhelmed by this book (and it’s just a little book) for weeks now,  but now I feel more confident about this study.  Even if someone suggests using something else because this is not quite CM enough or of a good quality, I am excited, not intimidated by this subject. So I thank you, cj, for posting the question:)

Yeah!  My *good book vs. twaddle book* radar is improving!

I know I didn’t post the question, but I’m so glad it was, as I feel so good about adding this to our schedule in the Fall. I had left that subject with a question mark until now.

I appreciate the heads-up about the *live* plays and will check out the dvd versions for now. And, I think it’s a great idea to draw pictures of the characters to keep them straight.  My 8yo would like that:)