Here’s a great idea from @DetroitSamWhite, whom I met in the twitterverse. A great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare and realize the impact that The Bard’s language had on the rest of the world is to play a little game with your kids called, Shake Phrase. As many of you know, all of my books are sprinkled with common Shakespeare phrases that kids will hear throughout life. Well, with Shake Phrase, you write down dozens of these common phrases and words and put them in a box. BUT, the 2nd part is to put another dozen or so of other common phrases, not done by Shakespeare in the same box. Now, Shake Phrase: shake the box and pull a phrase, the kids have to guess if they are from Will or not. As @DetroitSamWhite says, “blows their minds :-)”
Do a few phrases each day and they will quickly “start learning that many of the phrases they hear and use are Shakespeare quotes.”
It’s almost like Catch Phrase for Shakespeare!
Drop me a line and let me know if you have a great classroom activity for engaging kids with the Bard. I always like to share great ideas like Shake Phrase.
