Book Title: Eyewitness Books: Shakespeare by Peter Chrisp
Short Description of the Book: In this book, everything is covered on William Shakespeare from his birth to childhood years to entertainment to work and to his legacy. All of the vital information is broken down and takes you through his life scene by scene.
FOCUS: Informational Features I would use in a Mini-Lesson:
1) Since the new Common Core Standards dictate that every English classroom covers William Shakespeare, it would be neat to use this book to get a brief history of the man. Because students have met Shakespeare every year, as a teacher, you don’t want to be redundant in information and this book would be a brief blurb. After discussing the history of William Shakespeare, we could move into our lessons on sonnets, analyzing them line by line, and then trying our hand at writing our own sonnets.
TEACH: Common Core Standards: English Language Arts (Grades 11-12)
W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
1. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
2. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
3. Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.
4. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.
5. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
6. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: I hope students will learn how to appreciate the history of William Shakespeare, analyze his sonnets, and then attempt to write their own and share with the class for Reader’s Chair.