When I mention to my classes that we are going to read Shakespeare, a collective groan emanates from the students. I get it. The language is difficult and it is hard for them to relate to the characters. The only classes to get excited right off the bat are my AP classes. Therefore, it is my task to drum up excitement prior to reading. This week it is my college class that will begin reading Othello, and I needed to tap into their prior knowledge before tackling the play. I decided they should work on a concept map for this task.
I created a map with one bubble titled: relationships. My goal was to have them discuss the types of relationships we encounter every day. They worked in groups, on Chromebooks, and then we discussed the results as a class. During the class discussion they were free to go in and modify the concept map. My goal during the discussion was to get them to talk about the points I know will come up in the play such as romantic love, jealousy, envy, and the role of close friends. A livelier discussion I couldn't ask for. Students were engaged, debating their views, and open to hearing other points. This took them two days to complete, and we had class discussion at the end of every day. We ended today's discussion with the concept of abusive relationships. I will ask them to research information on this topic and add facts to their concept map tomorrow.
Research is another topic that normally gets the class to groan, but not today. Today they left interested in the subject and, dare I say, looking forward to researching tomorrow. Technology is not always the answer. With my senior classes we worked on word choices and used sticky notes on the blackboard. This class was just as enthusiastic using paper as my college level class was using Chromebooks. The key is to use what we, as educators, think is the best tool that will work to get them engaged.
I'm not positive I won't hear a groan when I actually say the word Shakespeare to them, but at least today they were smiling.
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