Close Reading a Shakespeare Text

Shakespeare can be tough to teach kids. Full stop. But when it comes to engagement and helping students get the MOST out of a Shakespeare unit, I’ve found myself relying more and more on watching a production and deeply close reading important scenes. Why?

IT HELPS WITH PACING

Sometimes, it’s hard to gauge how fast or slow to move through The Bard, but by carefully selecting close reads, I don’t feel stressed about getting to EVERYTHING. I know that the close reads that I’ve selected are critical and that if kids at least are with me through those, they’ll have a solid grasp on the most important skills and scenes in the play.

IT CREATES EQUITY

Not all students do their reading homework. New news? Not so much. But what we can count on is what we do together in the classroom. With a careful lineup of close reads during a Shakespeare play, I know that all students have had the opportunity to practice the skills and the difficult texts with me for support before they get to an assessment. We never want to assess students on something that may or may not have happened for homework, so by keeping close reading lessons in the plan, I know my students will get the practice they need.

IT INCREASES ENGAGEMENT

A good close read lesson takes one class period from start to finish. They’re quick, they’re deep, and they are easily laid out to include direct instruction, group/partner work, and independent practice. I like that they keep moving and the students are constantly building toward discovering an answer to a big, hard question at the end of the lesson.

Ready for a breakdown?

Here’s a walkthrough of how I create my close reading lessons. The videos in my Mastering Close Reading (asynchronous) workshop series offers everything you need to build a practice that will have your students building skills and reading with intention. For even MORE support in your Shakespeare teaching journey, join us for the Shakespeare Teacher Festival! Registration is FREE, virtual, and asynchronous so that you can learn from anywhere and at any time that is convenient for you!