Author Archives: brendan kelso

About brendan kelso

Brendan is the main creative source and author behind Playing With Plays and the infamous Shakespeare for Kids series. You can typically find him inventing by day, playing with his family by night, and writing by very late night.

Shakespeare Insult Generator

By | |
1 Comment

Well hello my fellow Shakespearean insulters, or, dare I say, you bawdy, ill-breeding, maggot pies!  Just to let you know the most requested page that I get on this website is for the Shakespeare Insult Generator.  I love this for several reasons; the main one is because the Shakespeare Insult Generator is the best and fastest way for kids to engage with Shakespeare.  Another reason is that this is just plain simple fun, regardless if you’re a kid or an adult. And thirdly (if that’s even a word) who doesn’t like to engage in fun, … Continue reading →

Shakespeare Music: Reaching kids with Shakespeare

By | |
1 Comment

Shakespeare Music. At least that what Joonee, a teacher in the Philippines, wanted to create with one of my plays. I thought she was a bit crazy, but it was her passion, and she did it, and even wrote the music herself. Most importantly the kids and audience LOVED IT. A little more about her and her process:

Q: First of all, tell me a little about yourself, what you do, and how arrived at teaching in the Philippines?

Fairies fighting Continue reading →

Shakespeare Lesson Plan (Day 1): 6 weeks with the Bard

By | | , ,
1 Comment

Melodramatic Shakespeare lesson planThis Shakespeare lesson plan is designed for grades 3rd – 9th – (Just an hour a week – it’s easy!)

Over the next few paragraphs I am going to give you the simple formula for using my Shakespeare for Kids books to introduce the Bard to your kids. We will do it in a way that will ensure they will LOVE him for the rest of their lives. … Continue reading →