Shakespeare

The writings of Shakespeare never grow old. Shakespeare was an outstanding observer of life and created many immortal characters that profess and embody human nature. His characters often capture traits that are universal. He used rich literary devices, compelling plots, and had an enduring wisdom and wit. He also wrote many unforgettable lines that are imbedded in our culture. He continues to be the most-quoted author in the English language.

There are many resources available to help teach about Shakespeare.

Advanced Placement Classroom Series 

This series, available at Prufrock Press, is designed for the upper level classroom, grades 7–12. The books help teachers motivate students above and beyond the norm by introducing investigative, hands-on activities, including debates, role-plays, experiments, projects, and more, all based on Advanced Placement and college-level standards for learning. These books present background material and activities for teachers for King Lear, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.

The Writing Company  

This publisher has an extensive collection of books, videos, posters, simulations, and other resources on William Shakespeare. You can search by play, type of media, or by grade level (including material for advanced students).

Navigators 

These collections of questions and activities are intended to support group or independent study of selected literary pieces. They are published by the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary. If you scroll to the bottom of the Navigators link, you will see the plays of Shakespeare that are offered: Henry IV, Part 1; Hamlet; Macbeth; Midsummer Night's Dream; Much Ado About Nothing; Romeo & Juliet; and Twelfth Night. These Navigators are designed for students in grades 9–12.

OpenSourceShakespeare 

Complete texts of Shakespeare’s plays, sonnets, and poems can be found here. This site also includes search tools and statistics.

Shakespeare Resource Center 

The purpose of this site is to provide links to aid students in online Shakespeare research. Here you will find Shakespeare’s will, the authorship debate, language, the Globe Theatre, Elizabethan England, and theatre companies, to name just a few.