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Introducing 13 year old boy to Shakespeare...
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After watching the 1981 film made of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, courtesy of the Victoria Public Library, Chris and I had a chat about the movie. Now, let me preface this with this: I caught him trying to avoid watching at several junctures and offered this alternative to the movie: us reading the play out loud together.
Me: What did you like about the movie?
Him: Nothing.
Me: Seriously, even a movie that you hate, you can always pick one thing about it that you liked. Pick something.
Him: The credits.
Me: Remember school? Want to go back? (said with a grin)
Him: um… no. Okay… um, I kinda liked that it was like a fairy tale. With like, fairies and stuff. I would have liked it better if there was a real swordfight instead of that stupid one at the end. I like stuff like that, armor and swords, and other stuff.
Me: Well, good. It wasn’t in this one, but it is in some of the other plays. I’ll have to look for some. (Pretty sure I saw rolling eyes at this point, but I ignore them.) I’d also like to go to the Rennaisance Festival this fall. I’ll talk to your Dad about it, because they have fencing and jousting.
Him: Real jousting? Like on horses and everything?
Me: Yes, on horses and everything. I LOVE the RenFest.
Him: Cool! I’d like THAT. So… is my test done? Can I go play?
Me: sigh… yeah, I guess so.
OK, so it was a little rough. I probably should have introduced him to Shakespeare with Romeo & Juliet, maybe the Leonardo DeCaprio version. :) In fact, that may be my next one, if he hasn’t learned by then to sleep with his eyes open. He’s convinced that he’s too young for Shakespeare. I had to point out that my class performed this play in the sixth grade.
Want to read more about my day? The rest is curriculum, excitement over LabPaq, and musings. :D Click here...
The photo is what he did after our movie... :D
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I saw that photo and thought, what about teaching something like Hamlet by constructing Lego scenes? That would be an awesome representation of the scene on the wall when the ghost of the king comes. Video project, maybe?
June 4, 2010 at 4:20 p.m.And another great idea!!! :D I think *I* need to re-learn to play! :D
June 4, 2010 at 11:44 a.m.He can always rewrite part of the play and include some swords...
June 4, 2010 at 8:29 a.m.I hate poetry! Anything that has to rhyme is a crime!
Er...
Apparently I'm a poet but didn't know it....
;-)
June 3, 2010 at 9:51 p.m.kearley361...It's not his plays that I think are child abuse; it's the frischitengse POETRY!
June 3, 2010 at 9:45 p.m.Awesome idea, thanks!!! :) He really thinks he shouldn't have to learn about Shakespeare, and I'm just as sure he should. :P So anything I can do to make it more fun, I'm all for it!
June 3, 2010 at 9:37 p.m.Antony...
June 3, 2010 at 9:28 p.m.Great blog! I always personally felt Anthony and Cleopatra was one of Will's more accessible works (there are many others though) - The Battle of Actium would be great played out in Lego ships!
Lego would also be a great way to construct a replica Globe Theatre with an open roof and water pistol for ultimate British weather realism!
Here's a good link for resources to help teach children about The Bard of Avon.
http://www.squidoo.com/shakespearefor...
June 3, 2010 at 9:27 p.m.LOL... thewaywardwind, it's easier to learn the language when they're younger. :) Shakespeare has a little of everything to offer, it's why his plays are still around hundreds of years later! :)
June 3, 2010 at 7:08 p.m.Alton..." one of the films is has lots of blood and nudity."
Oh, yeah? Which one? Dang! Good Shakespear -- About time!
I was thinking when I first saw the thread title that it's pretty much akin to child abuse.
June 3, 2010 at 6:56 p.m.Great blog! Thanks for sharing.
June 3, 2010 at 6:53 p.m.I actually though that series looked pretty good myself (for *me* to read, too). I'll definitely have to ask him about that! They're doing PE now. :D On the trampoline, with the water turned on... LOL! :D
June 3, 2010 at 6:25 p.m.I actually meant to reply on the group the other day when you posted it there... we will so be there! :) I'm as interested as Chris is, and I think the boys will be in awe, once they realize what it is. :)
June 3, 2010 at 6:17 p.m.Did he read the Eragon books? My now 18 year old liked those.
Wouldn't that be cool if we had fencing here? That is a sport my kids would love. There was a homeschooled (unschooled) girl who got a scholarship to Duke because of her fencing or sabre abilities. Look up Becca Ward. Her mom was on a few of the homeschool lists I was on so I got to "hear" about their journey from taking fencing lessons to world fencing tournaments to olympics...
June 3, 2010 at 6 p.m.I'm impressed! He might be interesting in this:
ARMA Sword Fighting Demonstration for Families
All Locations
Monday, Jun. 7, 2:00 to 4:00pm
The ARMA Houston North-Siders are back to show off their sword fighting skills. This time, sword fighting fans of all ages are invited to join us @ the Victoria Community Center. Light refreshments will be served. call 485.3302 for more info
I found this on the calendar on the Victoria Public Library's site.
June 3, 2010 at 5:48 p.m.Thanks! I'll have to review those and see... it's been so long for me, it's fun to get back into Shakespeare. :)
June 3, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.You may consider Macbeth, it was a story of Shakespeare that got me interested in him. I also think there was a movie or two about Macbeth. One word of caution, one of the films is has lots of blood and nudity.
June 3, 2010 at 4:44 p.m.