Teacher Process
Dear Colleagues,
This WebQuest is a challenging project that is designed to be completed in a 45 day quarter. The final films should be 10 - 20 minutes in length. Here are some reminders and helpful tips on navigating the process:
- This project makes good use of the web.
Students will search a variety of sites related to Elizabethan Theatre, the Elizabethan period and William Shakespeare. There are specific questions to get them thinking and start discussion. The questions and Web searches are designed for individual work which is followed by group discussion. At the end of each module, you should alot the final 10 or 15 minutes for the groups to share their findings with the class.
2. This project is associated with one or more curriculum standards appropriate to the learners you're designing for. First, this WebQuest will address all 6 standards outlined by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) in their National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS), including: 1. Basic Operations and Concepts. 2. Social, Ethical, and Human Issues. 3. Technology productivity tools. 4. Technology Communication Tools. 5. Technology Research Tools. 6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools. Additionally, this project addresses a variety of Florida's Sunshine State Standards (SSS) at the Middle and Secondary levels in core subjects of history/social studies, language arts, and creative writing, as well as standards for drama education.
3. This WebQuest can replace and/or substantially augments a lesson plan on Elizabethan Theatre and the beginning of the modern period in Western theatre ushered in by William Shakespeare. It can also be used with any language arts module on English literature or a History module on the Renaissance and the Elizabethan period.
4. Successful completion of this project requires understanding (synthesis, analysis, evaluation, creativity, and/or problem-solving) not just remembering. Students will need a full understanding of the theatre of Shakespeare's day in order to form their own theatrical company, select an appropriate scene to rewrite and update in their own vernacular and experience, and finally produce a video of their performance of the adapted material for presentation.
Here is a sample timeline for completion of this WebQuest:
Day 1: 10 minute mini lesson to introduce the WebQuest project. Divide students into groups of at least 4 students but no more than 6. Have students log on to the WebQuest and read and react to the introduction. Close with a review of the evaluation rubric and answering any questions or concerns.
Day 2: Students begin the process by studying sites dealing with the Elizabethan period and answer questions. They discuss their findings with the group and end with a class share.
Day 3: Complete the second part of the process by specifically exploring the structur of theatre in the 16th Century. Discuss findings with group and decide on a group name for their "theatrical company". Introduce their newly formed company to the class.
Day 4: Study and answer questions on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Discuss findings with group and decide if Shakespeare is truly the author of his plays. Class discussion wraps up the class.
Day 5 & 6: Begin the exploration of Shakespeares plays and decide on what play or scene will be rewritten and adapted. At the end of day 6, all groups should present their project plan.
Days 7 - 8: Show a film adaptation of a Shakespearean play. There are many excellent modernized scripts and you can find some suggestions in the teacher resource section of this WebQuest.
Days 9 - 17: Write and revise the script.
Day 18 - 20: Rehearse the scripts.
Day 21 - 22: Groups act out scripts to class for feedback from you and their peers. They don't have to be "off book" with their lines. They can read their lines.
Day 23 - 34: Groups begin to film their scenes. Keep in mind that the groups may want to use other students in the class as minor characters and extras as well as production assistants to film the scenes. I ususally give each group 3 days to complete filming. Assuming an average of 5 students per group, a class of 20 can finish in 12 periods.
Days 35 - 40: Final editing of videos adding credits and music, etc.
Once editing is complete, schedule the final screening.