Much Ado about Shakespeare

is it worth reading the bard today?

Module summary:

Research William Shakespeare
Explore theme through writing prompts
Watch movie adaptation of Much Ado about Nothing
- Create and present PowerPoint on Shakespeare's merit (or lack thereof)
Knock the socks off the NWEA tests

Students will understand that mood establishes atmosphere in a text, piece of music, or movie and conveys how the audience should react
Students will understand that integrating multiple sources in online writing efficiently adds authority and interest to a topic

Shakespeare's First Folio

Writing

Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in flexible and dynamic ways (open to feedback, link to other information)
Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence

Reading

Analyze author’s stylistic choices regarding structure and development of the elements of a story, particularly theme

Tuesday/Wednesday (back-to-back with NWEA testing):

Warm-up: Shakespeare's writing (Mark Antony's speech, downloadable below)
Who is Shakespeare? pre-research context discussion
Research and take legible notes:
- who was Shakespeare? when and where did he live? why is he famous?
- what do people say - pro and con - about studying Shakespeare today?
Discuss research findings
"Theme" definition reminder
Respond to thematic prompts (number will vary)
- It's better to be single than to risk being cheated on
- Guys are attracted to girls who are confident and bold.
- You should date people who are similar to you (socially, economically, religiously, etc.)
- A guy's honor/reputation is more important to maintain than a girl's.

Thursday

Watch Much Ado about Nothing
- in notes, track events, characters, themes
Review principles of a stellar PPT
Begin PowerPoint answering the question, "Why does Much Ado relate (or not) to high schoolers today?
- 1. title and thesis slide
- 2. quick summary of play - main events
- 3 - 5. 3 slides about how events, themes, and/or characters (include a mixture) relate (or not) to today's youth
- 6. concluding slide: your take on the play and Shakespeare - is it worth studying these plays?
For PPT: follow guidelines in Reading and Writing Handbook (not too much text, balance between text and images, etc)

Friday