Shakespeare Infusion Project Ideas

shakes_montage.jpgWordle: Infusion for School

Romeo and Juliet

  • Design a comic book or graphic novel that tells the story of R&J either using Shakespearean or Modern English writing. Take your own pictures to create a story with continuity. Another option could be to create a children's version of the play using animal characters!

  • Write and create a song about Romeo and Juliet (maybe using Audacity or Garageband), then insert the song into a Powerpoint with the lyrics to create a Karaoke song to sing along with!

  • Play and compare the music and lyrics to Mark Knopfler's song "Romeo&Juliet" with Taylor Swift's song "Love Story", discussing the differences and similarities between the play and the songs, as well as Mark and Taylor's versions. (This project could be a part one of two where after the comparison, they create their own song about Romeo and Juliet, similar to the project listed in the bullet point above)

  • Create a website about the play looking at the different symbols, themes, characters, etc.

  • Record or film group performances of scenes from the play, then view them in class and critique the work

  • Create a music video combining still pictures with music and words that would fit the themes of the play

  • Create a wedding scrapbook for Romeo and Juliet using Comic Life

  • Make a podcast or dramatic reading of any of the famous scenes from the play

Macbeth

  • Have students write/create a series of diary entries using Google Docs, then have the other students log in and put comments on the entries

  • Create a "Most Wanted" poster on Comic Life for one of the Macbeth characters (reward, description of crime and appearance, sketch, etc.) - Create a bulletin board with all the "Most Wanted" characters by printing them out in color!

  • Using Inspiration or another "mind-mapping" site, create a socio-gram for the play Macbeth

  • Create a storyboard of the major scenes in Macbeth using Comic Life

  • Map the character development of either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth in the play - use any program (prezi, inspiration, etc.)

  • Scottish Times (or Denmark News) Newspaper activity - using MS Publisher, have students create a Newspaper from Scotland (or Denmark) during the time of the play talking about the war, death notices, interviews, etc.

  • Macro Theatre - re-create a scene using lego or puppets and film the scene and have students act it out with the toys and speak from behind the camera

Hamlet

  • Film an interview with Hamlet or Claudius

  • Create a scrapbook of a life of one of the main characters such as Hamlet, Gertrude, Claudius, Ophelia, or Laertes using an online site such as slide.com, animoto.com, or any other picture scrapbook site

  • Using Google Docs, write a new ending to the play, or write a new scene for filler in the play

  • Create a MySpace/Facebook/Blog page or site for one of the main characters including a minimum of 5 blog entries as that character. Blog posts should be spaced throughout the play and reveal the character clearly

  • Create a reality television show based on the play

  • Film an evening news skit that would have occurred at the end of the play and show it to the class

  • CD Case Design and Music Selection-create a CD with 10 songs that Hamlet or Ophelia would “rip.” Then design a CD cover that fits the musical selections. Include the lyrics to the songs.

  • Create a Public Service Announcement about an issue in the play such as suicide

A Midsummer Night's Dream

  • Research about different sound effect techniques, then have students re-create the sounds while others film a scene from the play. Use these sound effects as voice-over points to set the mood of the scene and show characters feelings

  • Create a diagram/flow chart of the four pairs of lovers in the play and explain their relationships

  • Create a movie poster or t-shirt using Comic Life

  • Comic strip of their favorite part of the play

  • Research the mythical creatures in the play and create a prezi about to be presented to the class

Othello

  • Have students re-enact and film a version of The Jerry Springer Show with Othello, Iago, Rogerio, Brabantio, and Desdemona. Keep it clean and cite words from the poem

  • Create a new cast and new ideas for a new version of an Othello movie

  • Create an alternate ending to the play or write an unfinished story from the play using Google Docs, this can be done in partners as a freewriting exercise

Twelfth Night

  • Create a photostory representation of the play either Shakespearean or Modernized version

  • Have students create their own version of the "12 days of Christmas" but change the words to go with the play, record it or perform it!

  • After reading Act IV, scene iii, students write the conversation that must have occurred between Olivia and Sebastian then act it out and film it!

Julius Caesar

  • Develop a Theme Park based on Julius Caesar - include 5 attractions, restaurants, admission, location, etc. Develop a brochure and/or video to promote your new theme park!

  • Present a eulogy for one of these characters: Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, or Portia and film it

  • Create a survey (online) to use throughout the play and post questions or predictions like whether Caesar should have been assassinated

  • Macro Theatre of the murder of Caesar, the death of Brutus, one of the confrontation scenes, or another scene of your choice