Travis Southwick

 Theatrical adaptations of classical literature can increase student interest and understanding  “An involved child is an interested child, an interested child will learn, and drama directly involves the child.” --Jennifer Catney McMaster  Using drama increases the likelihood the student will read and study the assigned literature  Short dramatic activity builds a “vivid mental representation”

 The writings of William Shakespeare can be difficult for some high school students to comprehend  Bringing these classical stories to life through drama will: --Increase the likelihood the students will study the works of Shakespeare --Teach students valuable life lessons

 Informal Classroom Drama  “An activity in which students invent and enact dramatic situations for themselves, rather than for an outside audience”  Help students “step inside the characters’ shoes”  Increases the effectiveness of classroom learning

 Using a film adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Hamlet improved student comprehension  Students scored an average of 89% on testing

 Drama can enrich curriculum if teachers use effective dramatic methods to enhance the classroom experience  Teacher in Role - Requires the teacher to have an active role in the drama  Whole Group – Involves all of the students in the dramatic action; more productive and less chaotic

 Finding dramatic context within literature  Same premise different circumstances  Invented character  Roleplaying an analogous situation  Planning before acting  Teacher narration  Switching roles  Reflection in role and reflection out of role  Ready to read the text

 Theatrical adaptations and tools can be an asset to teaching classic literature  A number of techniques and tools can increase student learning and interest  Dramatic efforts motivate students to learn classical literature and life lessons  Creative teachers can develop new techniques

 As You Like It, William Shakespeare  Brandon Shoemaker, “Research for the Classroom – To Read or Not to Read: Five Approaches to Teaching Shakespeare”, English Journal 102.4, 2013  Clipart at Office.com  Jennifer Catney McMaster, “Doing” literature: Using drama to build literacy”, The Reading Teacher, Vol. 51 No. 7, April 1998  William Shakespeare Chandos Portrait